Technology Problem, Help Please

[Leana]

I know there are quite a few Technology Savvy people on PaintBasket...  would really be appreciated.

Ok,  the problem I am experiencing is this>  I insert a USB (Flash-drive/portable drive) into the USB port.  I run a full anti-virus scan...then only do I access the files on the drive... I use it per normal with no problem... However, when I want to eject the flash it gives me this error "This device is currently in use.  Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again." All programs, files etc that I used are ALL closed...yet it still gives this message. 

I have searched the help in Windows... with no success.  Went onto the website... and the following (below) was suggested...

Yesterday I even went into Favourites> Recent Places... there were files there... I deleted those... then I was able to do the normal ejecting of the flash-drive... however today I'm experiencing the same problem as stipulated...checked in "Recent Places"... but there are no files... So now I don't know what to do or where to go to sort this out.  I hope I explained it well enough for you to understand the problem.  I even tried to search on the web... but no luck...or I am looking in the wrong places.

My laptop runs on Windows 7... so suggestions/solutions would be most appreciated.

[Maryna]

This is what I do and I know the IT wizz peeps gonna freak now - but I just pull it out. Been doing it for years and never had any problems with the flash drive not working again afterwards etc.
Allot of pc's give that error you are talking about, I simply ignore it 

[dennis]

I don't like Windows 7 but what do you do when it comes with the computer already installed?

I just make sure I open another folder other than the external hard drive I am using and then simply pull plug exactly as Maryna does - never had a problem up to now.

Just don't remove the drive if it is still in the operating condition!

[Leana]

  Dennis and Maryna ...you are really making me think about doing that now.  Have been too scared to just pull it out... because I have read in various places that you can loose information or the drive can get damaged...these are my back-ups as well.

The computer shop suggested the day before yesterday to pull them out, once the computer has shut down and is completely off... well I told them...that is not an option for me, because I have 3 flash-drives... one for just documents, one for all my artstuff and the last one for photos.  I do have 3 ports, but 1 is occupied by my wireless mouse ... luckily one of my cats have not discovered this yet 

After posting this topic lastnite... I did some more searches on the net.  Apparently the flash-drives when plugged in... are hooked (they just call it this by the sounds of it, but it is actually opened in a program)... these 'hooks' needs to be released (ejected).  Very interesting too...was a lot of people are experiencing this with Windows and there have been so many complaints about it too... various people telling Windows (on their support site) that this has been a problem for a long time...why havent they sorted it out yet.

Anyhow, got to another site, which suggest to download "Unpugged" (program)... so when you right click on the drive you want to remove... it does not only offer eject, but unplug too.  However, when I clicked on the icon to download (b.t.w K-aspersky showed it's a safe site  ) Google said unable to bring up the link...   

So I might just end up following you Dennis and Maryna      very much for your response...I greatly appreciate it.

[Maryna]

Leana, make sure that drive, say it is the G drive file that that file on it is not open or anything anymore, and just pull it out. I have never lost any files!

We have had another flashdrive of my husband that went all bad, but due to his MP3 player.

I would suggest that you always make backups on DVD's or CD's just in case something ever happens to your stick.

 

I personally think that hook thing is a bunch of nonsense, since it is simply connector points that needs to make a connection with the usb drive in the pc, like a battery needs to make connections in any device (hope I am making sense)

[Kelley]

Perhaps there is a little legitimacy to the "hook' thingy you are talking about.  I haven't truly researched it.  It's probably for indexing. 

The safest mode of removal is to "eject" the drive, but as long as you don't have a document open and it is previously saved, I don't expect you've done any damage.  My laptop running Windows XP is rather forgiving and I've been known to forget to eject the drive even while reviewing a picture.  I was horrified that I had just ruined the picture or worse - the thumb drive.  When I plugged it back in, it still worked and the picture was still there.  I think it's a matter of writing to the drive that matters most.  If you haven't saved your work then don't expect it to be there.

Leana's suggestion to gather up your docs and put them on CD or DVD is a very good one.  I have an external drive that holds a majority of my pictures and music.  The thumb drive is nice because it is small and portable, but I wouldn't use it for my permanent storage.

[Leana]

  everyone for the advice thus far... much appreciated.  The flash-drives are just a temporary storage facility until such time that I can get a external hard-drive.  I also agree that it is important to save the most important stuff on cd's  ... in other words...to make a back-up of a back-up.  Where technology is concerned...you never know what might happen. 

[NHC50]

I HAVE WINDOWS 7.  IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND SIDE I HAVE A ARROW CLICK ON IT IT WILL SHOW THE FLASH DRIVE IN USE CLICK ON IT THEN CLICK ON EJECT. THEN THEN  IT SAYS YOU CAN NOW PULL FLASH DRIVE OUT.
NO MORE PROBLEMS. HOPE THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IF NOT YOU HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING NEW. 
NINA

[C.Bodine]

I'm with Nina on this one.  I have windows 7.  This is the same method I use to safely remove a flash drive.

[Alan Dixon]

In Windows 7 in the bottom right hand side there is a bar showing programs that are on. There should be a small triangle pointing up, left click on it and a box full of icons will appear. One of these shows a USB plug with a small green check mark. Left click on it and it will shut down the usb drive and tell you that it is now safe to unplug. (caution: It might also show several other USB drives. Make sure you select the drive that you wish to remove.)
Alan

[Topdoginuk]

I've had this problem too. In the bottom right side of your desktop there should be a small icon relating to the flash drive. Right click on it and select 'eject'. Alternatively, click start to find 'Computer' or, find 'My Computer' on your desktop. Open it and look for the flash drive. Right click on it and select 'safe to remove' or something similar.
That's what I do anyway so, see if these option help.
Good luck

[Leana]

Nina, C, Alan and Tony...  for replying. I always used to remove my flash-drives/USB this way by clicking on the arrow bottom right, then eject USB... then the window comes up 'it is safe to remove the usb'...then I remove my USB.  However, this does not work for me at the moment/or any longer.for some reason which I don't know.. because it keeps bringing up the message

"This device is currently in use.  Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again." when I do it. I also have made sure All programs, files etc that I used are ALL closed...yet it still gives this message.

...So this is why it boggles my mind and I thought somebody might have experienced a similar problem and got it sorted out.

I even went to the 'Control Panel', 'Hardware nd sound' where it shows your devices... even there I right click on the USB I want to remove, however it keeps giving me the above message.  I never had this problem before in removing USB's... 

[Topdoginuk]

Hi Leana,
              Open the 'Task Manager' window by right-clicking an empty area on the taskbar (bottom of your screen) and then clicking Task Manager, or by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC. Take a look at what's running and end any applications causing the problem.
Here's a link to Microsoft Support relating to this problem. It may help but, it does look a long winded process!:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555665

I hope this helps. 

[Leana]

Hi Tony,  for responding again.  First I checked that all programs were closed.  Then I tried the eject usb again... and I got the same message as mentioned.....  Then I right-clicked on the 'Task Bar', went to 'Task Manager'...and it also shows that no programs are running... very odd.  My question now with this being the case and after pressing eject and getting the message, as well as checking in the "Task Manager' and no programs are running...would you pressume it would then be save just to remove the USB?

[Topdoginuk]

Hi Leana,
              I get these exact words when I plug my camcorder IEE (firewire) cable into my laptap. (it's a small ended wire like a tiny half flattened USB cable). When I try to load the tape recordings, it comes up with that same message "This device is currently in use.  Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again''. It's well frustrating because you are wondering what is running. Perhaps it's the Virus software like Norton, McCafee, etc? Perhaps it's Google Chrome's virus checking? etc, etc.
Well, after trying all the ways I suggested to 'ya, I just unplugged the cable from the laptop and restarted my computer. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't.
So, I'd hate to be the one to suggest you pull the flash memory out but, it may be your only way. I'd certainly look to back up the data to CDR disc first though or, look at opening a Google Docs account to store and share your work online:

https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=1209600&continue=https://docs.google.com/&followup=https://docs.google.com/&ltmpl=homepage

Let me know how you get on. This Google Docs may be a way to save your work.
Tony