Yet another computer question

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  • Ed62
    The Full Monte
    • Oct 2006
    • 6021
    • NW Indiana
    • BT3K
    #1

    Yet another computer question

    I have an external hard drive. The user guide says if you want to disconnect the drive, click on the "safely remove hardware icon" in the system tray. I remember seeing it there before, but it's no longer there. How do I get it to appear again??
    edit: I should have told you I'm running Windows XP.

    Ed
    Do you know about kickback? Ray has a good writeup here... https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...mare-explained

    For a kickback demonstration video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910584...demonstration/
    Tags: None
    • BobSch
      Veteran Member
      • Aug 2004
      • 4385
      • Minneapolis, MN, USA.
      • BT3100
      #2
      If you look at My Computer, can you see the drive?

      Is the drive powered on and is the USB cable plugged into the PC?

      If you can't see the drive, your machine doesn't know the drive is there.

      If you've re-booted your PC since the last time you've used ithe drive, power down the PC, unplug the drive, re-boot and plug it in again and the arrow icon should appear in the system tray.
      Bob

      Bad decisions make good stories.

        Comment

        • Ed62
          The Full Monte
          • Oct 2006
          • 6021
          • NW Indiana
          • BT3K
          #3
          Originally posted by BobSch
          If you look at My Computer, can you see the drive?

          Is the drive powered on and is the USB cable plugged into the PC?

          If you can't see the drive, your machine doesn't know the drive is there.

          If you've re-booted your PC since the last time you've used ithe drive, power down the PC, unplug the drive, re-boot and plug it in again and the arrow icon should appear in the system tray.
          I can access files from the drive, so that's not the problem. Is it OK to plug in the USB cable when the computer is running? Just want to make sure because it's a pretty new drive.

          Ed
          Do you know about kickback? Ray has a good writeup here... https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...mare-explained

          For a kickback demonstration video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910584...demonstration/

            Comment

            • jonmulzer
              Senior Member
              • Dec 2007
              • 946
              • Indianapolis, IN
              #4
              You can plug it in while the computer is on no problem. USB drives are hot-plug capable. In your system tray, at the left side of it, is there an arrow pointing to the left? If so click it to reveal any hidden icons.

              If not, let me know and I will search around to find the other, slightly more involved, solution to your problem.
              "A fine beer may be judged with just one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure"

                Comment

                • just started
                  Senior Member
                  • Mar 2008
                  • 642
                  • suburban Philly
                  #5
                  In 'My Comp" right click on the drive icon and select remove device. That has the same function as the sys tray icon. All it does (but VERY important to do) is make sure all the data in the cache is written to the drive and files closed before disconnecting the drive.

                    Comment

                    • Ed62
                      The Full Monte
                      • Oct 2006
                      • 6021
                      • NW Indiana
                      • BT3K
                      #6
                      Thanks for the quick help, guys. I shut the system down, unplugged the USB cable, started the computer up again, and plugged the cable in after it booted up. Everything looks like it should now. Thanks again the the help.

                      Ed
                      Do you know about kickback? Ray has a good writeup here... https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...mare-explained

                      For a kickback demonstration video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910584...demonstration/

                        Comment

                        • parnelli
                          Senior Member
                          • Aug 2004
                          • 585
                          • .
                          • bt3100
                          #7
                          It's possible that the drive policies changed for that drive. If you go to device manager, right click on the drive, and then go to the policies tab, you'll find the options for caching and removal for that drive.

                            Comment

                            • jonmulzer
                              Senior Member
                              • Dec 2007
                              • 946
                              • Indianapolis, IN
                              #8
                              That won't cause it to not show up in the system tray. All that controls is caching policy.
                              "A fine beer may be judged with just one sip, but it is better to be thoroughly sure"

                                Comment

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