PrayforDiablo3 Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 I have two back-up hard drives. I am having a problem on my computer that I am guessing is relating to one of them. Is it okay to unplug them via USB from my computer? Will I lose the info saved?Thanks in advance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pro1driver Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 i see no reason why you cannot unplug either one from the USB. i would however do this with the pc powered down. no loss of data should happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrayforDiablo3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Thanks! Another unrelated question ... how do I know if I have sp2 on my computer? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete_C Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 There are a few things to consider here.First let me say that with a removable drive, it is always best to use the safely remove hardware option in the system tray if it is present. It is there for a reason.If not, you should go to my computer and locate the drive and right click and see if it has either safely remove or eject as an option and choose that if there.The problem here is related to NTFS file system and how it handles small files by saving them in their master file table entry and also defrag and how it keeps track of recently used files . Although you may not have a problem, there is a distinct possibility of either getting a corrupt master file table on the main drive (when it refers to something on the other drive) or similar problems which may render your main drive non bootable; or which may give you a prompt to "please insert disk to continue" since it expects the drive to be where it left it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrayforDiablo3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 PeteCSome of what you said made sense while some was over my head. Let me give you my problem from the beginning. Out of nowhere, I have been getting a "Found New Hardware" message. It is saying it wants to install a USB device. I have to hit cancel every time I turn my computer on. When I try to hit next, I have to wait for awhile & it never works. I tried downloading new drivers (I did & it still didn't matter). I am frusterated & at a loss. I was thinking of unplugging the second back-up hard drive & then trying to plug it in again upon boot up. I also have flash drives that I have been plugging in & out continuously without clicking on the safely remove icon. I didn't think I would have to.More advice is needed!Thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrayforDiablo3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 I tried clicking the safely remove & then restarted. It still didn't work. I am so frustrated.Thanks in advance for any help Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete_C Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 I suspect that by not using the safely remove hardware option, it did not think the device was removed, but instead thinks it is connected and not functioning correctly. When you reconnected it, it thinks it is a second one of the same device (meaning it now thinks you have two installed or even more) connected, one working and one not. That is why it asks you to install the device. Then when it realizes it is the one it thinks was malfuntioning, it gets confused and does not finish.Unplug and disconnect the drive while the computer is off.Boot to windows and log in. Go to control panel/ system/ hardware/ device managerThere should be an option under view to show hidden devices or non functioning devices or show all devices . Select that one.Then go and locate the device and select each instance it is listed and choose uninstall . Repeat until it is gone completely . Likewise, uninstall/ remove any devices which show as malfunctioning or disabled. Reboot the computer.Install the software as you would have when you first bought the drive. When prompted, connect the drive . (Note some will tell you to shut down, connect the drive and power up and insert cd when drive is detected. Do what you are told in the drives documentation). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrayforDiablo3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Thanks. I will try that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrayforDiablo3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Ok, I did it 7 times & still no luck. What now?Thanks in advance again for all of your help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xxkbxx Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 as far as SP2 - just right click on My Computer and it will say something like this (of course version and edition might be different for yours)System:Microsoft Windows XPHome EditionVersion 2002Service Pack 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parrotgeek7 Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 If you want to remove all references to the usb devices, the Device manager, and then delete the usb controllers and everything under that heading. Unplug everything and reboot.Let it reinstall the usb drivers and then, 1 at a time plug the devices back in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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