Is it OK to unplug USB devices without turning them off?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

There is no danger of physical damage to the drives. There is, however,
danger of data corruption on the drives when Windows has not had an
opportunity to close out its contact with the drive.

steve


"OM" <om.newsgroup@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1122204383.076396.219970@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>I was wondering, is it OK to unplug USB devices without turning them
> off?
> I have several USB hard drives (hard drives in USB cases).
> I just pull out the USB connection and reconnect to another PC all the
> time.
> Am I in danger of causing damamge to my hard drives?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> OM
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

"OM" <om.newsgroup@gmail.com> wrote:

>I was wondering, is it OK to unplug USB devices without turning them
>off?
>I have several USB hard drives (hard drives in USB cases).
>I just pull out the USB connection and reconnect to another PC all the
>time.
>Am I in danger of causing damamge to my hard drives?
>
>Thanks.
>

When using a USB data storage device there should be an icon in the
System Tray labelled "safely remove hardware". Click on that icon to
bring up a list of the removable devices. Select the hard drive and
click on it. In a few seconds you will get a message that it is safe
to disconnect the device.

That will avoid any possibility of file corruption because files were
being updated when the drive was unplugged.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm