External hard drive error

I'm running XP and have a Simple Tech 250 gig external hard drive. When I click to safely remove hardware, i get an error message saying the hard drive is in use, and to try again later. Is there any idea what may be latching onto the HD, or what program I need to shut down? Thanks.

Ed

 

Anybody?!

 

ProcessExplorer from www.sysinternals.com may help.
Much more informative than msconfig.

Better still, get it from MG, courtesy of Halo (in an earlier thread)
Process Explorer 9.11

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4566

 

My guess is, that you have a hidden folder called _recycle. Which resides on all partitions and other logical hard drives.

Don't "quote" me on this, but I feel that you should be able to "safely" remove the device anyway.

I would be a good test, anyway......

 

Not sure I understand your reply.
Process Explorer lists all processes running at the time you invoke it.
It shows Process name (usually .exe file name), CPU use, Description and Company name. You can sort it on any field to show highest (or lowest) CPU use, sort it alphabetically by process or by Company name, etc.
This should provide a help for your problem. Bazza

 

The only thing it shows running right now is "system idle process". It still won't safely let me remove hardware.

 

How is your external hard drive connected to your computer? Is it by USB? If so, you should just be able to unplug it, I would have thought. I can plug/unplug my 256meg Lexar jump drive anytime I like, but I don't know about external hard drives so wait for someone else to comment on this. Maybe give us your system specs, operating system, etc. This may help others to diagnose your problem. Bazza

===

 

Yes, it's connected by USB.

I'm running a Dell Inspiron 5100 notebook, Pentium 4 2.8, on 512mb of Ram. I'm also running XP home edition.

I called SImpletech (the maker of the hard drive) and the tech told me I wasn't supposed to just unplug, though he offered no help. He told me it was spyware casuign the problem (I have adaware, spybot, and spyware doctor).

 

I think Theefool was on the right track: Right click on recycle bin icon on desktop, then click properties. Check "configure drives independently" and apply. Go to directory of external drive and delete recycle folder. See if this will let you stop the drive.

 

I'm very computer unsaavy.

How do get into the directory for my external?

 

Open "my computer", then right click on the drive letter for the external hard drive. Click "explore". In the right-hand column of the window that opens, there will probably be a folder called "recycler". Right click on it and delete it. You may need to open it and delete the contents first before it will let you delete the folder.

 

There isn't a folder titled "recycler".

 

Unless you are accessing files or programs from your external, you will be fine to unplug it
i have a 120 gig external, i do that all the time. If i'm running something off it <IE music programs movie> things go bad, so dont unplug while your using it