Desktop Computer Packages

Disconnecting a hardware device...will it fry the computer?

I have a recording unit made by Zoom...and it connects to my computer via a USB interface. Have used it before without issues. It has a strict protocol for shut down: click on a 'Safely Remove Hardware" icon, and then click on a stop button to disengage the USB mass storage device. The manual states that if one does not follow the protocol, the computer may become unstable...and files on both units may be damage...or just burst into flames probably..anyway. for some reason I am getting a message that says "The device cannot be stopped because a program is accessing it"...this has been...several hours. So, I closed down a couple of anti virus programs...and disconnected the internet..did troubleshooters...all devices working properly...trying to figure out what might be accessing what. Probably nothing. Anyway, not supposed to yank out the USB connection...but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...I am looking at forums...I have XP...is there a gentle alternative? Hey...some good advice...I tried shutting off the indexing...and explorer.exe...and, well actually just one anti virus program...anyway...no dice with those possibilities...anything else I should look at through Task Manager? You all are great to give me some hope... Hey...some good advice...I tried shutting off the indexing...and explorer.exe...and, well actually just one anti virus program...anyway...no dice with those possibilities...anything else I should look at through Task Manager? You all are great to give me some hope...

Public Comments

1. You can just yank it out. The "safely remove hardware" thing is just a precaution.
2. You won't damage your computer... however, if the device you are just unplugging stores data, you can corrupt it if you don't do the "remove hardware" thingy by the time clock before you unplug it... USB is designed to be able to be hot plugged and unplugged. (Meaning while power is up.)
3. Try going into Task Manager and kill the explorer.exe and then do it.
4. next time use the alt delete command. that will bring the task manager up. on your task manager you can stop and see what your computer is doing and stop it in this manor. and always disconnect the hardware from menu hardware disconnection.
5. Try turning off the indexing service, that's probably what is accessing it. Hope you were kidding about having two antivirus programs running, that's begging for trouble.