Thread: External hard disk safely remove problem

I am using an external hard disk on vista64 in a Vantec enclosure and whenever i safely remove it, the computer will say it is safe to remove but then the hard disk keeps on running but when i use it on the other computer that runs windows xp and i safely remove it, the hard disk stops on running can anyone tell why vista is acting like that.

Thanks

All my enclosures have a power switch to shut down the unit, when I finish with transferring data and get Vistas OK I turn off the unit, the Vantec Enclosure doesn't have a power switch?

If the unit is powered by the computer, you can always unplug the USB cable that’s what the safely remove feature is for anyway.

Yes it has a power switch. but my concern is when i safely remove it, vista will say it is safe to remove but when i touch the hard disk, it's still running when i plug it into my windows xp and i safely remove it, the hard disk stops on working/running. Why is it acting like that on vista?

I will still run it is just saying that it doesn’t have anything left in the buffer to write. Then when you turn it off the heads will park. Just give it a minute after you turn it off to stop spinning.

I have the same problem. When the hard disk removed also its working and turning off directly isn’t a good way cause it is not good for the hard disk.
If some one knows the way pls posts it here.


It is a small difference between how vista and xp works.

If an usb flash drive with a on light indicator is placed in a xp computer and is 'ready to be ejected', you will notice that the light is turned off. XP actually stops all power and data transfer to the usb device.

Vista does not do this, therefore you will notice that there is still hard drive activity, but it should be safe to unplug it from the computer.

After that, the hard drive should stop and then you could use the power switch and power off the external hard drive.

I have the same problem and I can tell you I don't feel it's safe to use my hard drive with Vista because I can hear the heads scratching the disk whenever I unplug the USB cable. And that happens every time, no matter how long I wait after the OS tells me it's safe to remove it. XP seems to do a totally different job as it's not just turning the power off, but also parking the heads where they should be. Shutting down the computer isn't a solution either, as it basically cuts the power from the USB ports and the heads hit again the disk's surface. I haven't found any solution to this issue yet, but I will keep researching on it. I'll keep in touch if I find something useful.