External drive won't shut down

[-Nisko-]

I have an external 250GB Maxtor drive (USB) which I only use for backup
storage. However, it is constantly running (when I'm NOT doing a backup)
and either getting read to or written to. Nothing should be using it that I
know of. Is there any way for me to find out what's "hitting" it so I can
stop it? Also, I can't shut it of using Safely Remove Hardware.
Thanks.................

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have an external 250GB Maxtor drive (USB) which I only use for
backup storage. However, it is constantly running (when I'm NOT
doing a backup) and either getting read to or written to. Nothing
should be using it that I know of. Is there any way for me to find
out what's "hitting" it so I can stop it? Also, I can't shut it of
using Safely Remove Hardware. Thanks.................

If it's external drive only used for backup, why don't you disconnect it
when you're not doing a backup?

Backing up to an external drive, rather than an internal one, is a good way
to do backups; I don't recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive
because it leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and
backup to many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby
lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer.If you leave
your external drive connected all the time, is essentially becomes just like
an internal one.

 

[Rebecca Hubbard]

So many words, yet...

None very helpful.
I have the same problem with my 80 GB WD External drive - When I try to use
the Safely Remove Hardware icon, I get a "Generic Volume can't be stopped."
error, and the message tells me that something is using the drive. The HD
won't turn off, and it feels like it's constantly running - though no apps
are open. (I can feel it spinning.) The only way to "safely" shut it off is
to shut Windows down, then detach the HD, then turn it off.

running windows XP Pro SP2
If it helps, I have autoplay disabled on the drive.

Does anyone know how to fix this, or know where we can find out what is
accessing the drive?
~Rebecca

The point is that even when we're not running a backup, we /can't/ remove
it. Something is accessing that drive

 

[RA]

So many words, yet...

None very helpful.
I have the same problem with my 80 GB WD External drive - When I try
to use the Safely Remove Hardware icon, I get a "Generic Volume can't
be stopped." error, and the message tells me that something is using
the drive. The HD won't turn off, and it feels like it's constantly
running - though no apps are open. (I can feel it spinning.) The only
way to "safely" shut it off is to shut Windows down, then detach the
HD, then turn it off.

running windows XP Pro SP2
If it helps, I have autoplay disabled on the drive.

Does anyone know how to fix this, or know where we can find out what
is accessing the drive?
~Rebecca

The point is that even when we're not running a backup, we /can't/
remove it. Something is accessing that drive

Mine does the same thing -so when I am not doing a backup, I reach around
and ....pull the plug.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Good points all. I would like to add that an advantage of backing up to
a second internal hard disk is that backups (and restores) go quicker,
which may encourage more people to backup more often. I believe both
internal and external hard drives can be part of an effective backup
strategy.

I don't think an external hard disk is less susceptible to power
glitches than an internal hard disk, unless you unplug the external disk
when not in use, which is certainly easier to do than unplugging your
desktop computer and peripherals.

An external hard disk is more easily stolen than a desktop computer.
It's easier to lose, too, which I find hard to imagine, but I also find
it hard to imagine that people would lose something as important as
their XP CDs

It occurs to me that the OP's question is unanswered, so I'll give it a
stab: Any process that accesses an internal hard disk also accesses an
external hard disk since, as Ken pointed out, an external disk connected
to the computer is no different to the operating system than an internal
disk. Here are some examples: indexing, updating a media player's music
library, background defrags and malware scans.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Good points all. I would like to add that an advantage of backing up
to a second internal hard disk is that backups (and restores) go
quicker, which may encourage more people to backup more often.

My personal practice is to back up at night, when I'm sleeping, and I
recommend that most people do the same . As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't
matter how long it takes, as long as it's done when I get up in the morning.

I
believe both internal and external hard drives can be part of an
effective backup strategy.

I don't think an external hard disk is less susceptible to power
glitches than an internal hard disk, unless you unplug the external
disk when not in use, which is certainly easier to do than unplugging
your desktop computer and peripherals.

Yes, of course. I didn't mean it was safer when plugged in. When I recommend
an external drive for backup, my point is that it *should* be unplugged when
not being used. Otherwise, as I said below, it's essentially the same as in
internal.

An external hard disk is more easily stolen than a desktop computer.

True, because it's smaller. However, most theives want to get in and out
quickly, and take whatever they recognize can be quickly sold. They know
they can sell a computer, but may not know whether they can sell an external
drive. They may not even recognize what an external drive is.

 

[w_tom]

I have an external 250GB Maxtor drive (USB) which I only use for backup
storage. However, it is constantly running (when I'm NOT doing a backup)
and either getting read to or written to. Nothing should be using it that I
know of. Is there any way for me to find out what's "hitting" it so I can
stop it?

Start by reviewing Task Manager. Enter by pressing Control-Alt-Del.
You should see tasks and processes. First review what is there before
connecting the external drive. Then review what process is accessing
the drive (and therefore not permitting drive removal) after starting a
backup. This data is a first step to learning what is happening and why

 

[-Nisko-]

Thanks, I did disconnect it. But I'd sure like to know what's "hitting" on
the drive.

 

[-Nisko-]

Good points all. I would like to add that an advantage of backing up to a
second internal hard disk is that backups (and restores) go quicker, which
may encourage more people to backup more often. I believe both internal
and external hard drives can be part of an effective backup strategy.

I don't think an external hard disk is less susceptible to power glitches
than an internal hard disk, unless you unplug the external disk when not
in use, which is certainly easier to do than unplugging your desktop
computer and peripherals.

An external hard disk is more easily stolen than a desktop computer. It's
easier to lose, too, which I find hard to imagine, but I also find it hard
to imagine that people would lose something as important as their XP CDs


It occurs to me that the OP's question is unanswered, so I'll give it a
stab: Any process that accesses an internal hard disk also accesses an
external hard disk since, as Ken pointed out, an external disk connected
to the computer is no different to the operating system than an internal
disk. Here are some examples: indexing, updating a media player's music
library, background defrags and malware scans.

The only caveat I have is that I actually have TWO external Maxtor drives -
and only one of them is getting hits. The other is dormant - even though
it's plugged in.

 

[-Nisko-]

Start by reviewing Task Manager. Enter by pressing Control-Alt-Del.
You should see tasks and processes. First review what is there before
connecting the external drive. Then review what process is accessing
the drive (and therefore not permitting drive removal) after starting a
backup. This data is a first step to learning what is happening and why

I'm confused on this one: If I start a backup, the drive in question WILL
get hit. Could you explain this in a different way please? I would think
there is an app somewhere that would tell us what is reading/writing to a
drive.

 

[Rebecca Hubbard]

Nisko:

I think this is what w_tom meant:
Note what's running in TM before you connect the drive.
Connect the drive, and note what processes are running now.
Then start the backup, and note any processes that kick in then.

Perhaps your backup is not cleaning up after itself and one or two
straggling processes are being left behind. After it's run and finished,
check if some of those backup processes are all gone.

And to answer someone up thread:
We don't just "pull the plug" in case something possibly important is being
run/written. That's what "safely remove hardware" is for. When you just pull
the plug, it's like just holding the power button on the desktop - you could
get corrupt files, etc. No thanks.

And now, for my case:
I'm not running a backup on this drive. The only thing it's used for is
transferring files between my machine and the other two computers in the
house, and extra storage. The only program that accesses the drive (that I
use, start myself, etc.) is Windows Explorer.

I'm going to check see if the indexing service is turned off for the drive
and for Windows overall tonight when I get home. Will update. Thanks!

~Rebecca

w_tom:

 

[nikola66]

Nisko:

I think this is what w_tom meant:
Note what's running in TM before you connect the drive.
Connect the drive, and note what processes are running now.
Then start the backup, and note any processes that kick in then.

Perhaps your backup is not cleaning up after itself and one or two
straggling processes are being left behind. After it's run and finished,
check if some of those backup processes are all gone.

And to answer someone up thread:
We don't just "pull the plug" in case something possibly important is being
run/written. That's what "safely remove hardware" is for. When you just pull
the plug, it's like just holding the power button on the desktop - you could
get corrupt files, etc. No thanks.

And now, for my case:
I'm not running a backup on this drive. The only thing it's used for is
transferring files between my machine and the other two computers in the
house, and extra storage. The only program that accesses the drive (that I
use, start myself, etc.) is Windows Explorer.

I'm going to check see if the indexing service is turned off for the drive
and for Windows overall tonight when I get home. Will update. Thanks!

~Rebecca

w_tom:

Actuly this is for everyone's replay ,
Try this :
Go to The task manager Alt+Ctr+Del > Go to processes > And Right Click
on EXPLORER.EXE > Terminate Process . . . .
then u have to relaunch EXPLORER.EXE by Going to Applications > New
Task > Type : EXPLORER.EXE

NEO

 

[Guest]

I cant find any answer here on this question.
I have several USB disks.
One of them cannot be "Safely Removed".
Only way is to power it off (just the USB unit I mean or unplug the USB
cable).
No programis running on this disk, its just a storage disk.
Files moved from the intern disks.

 

[w_tom]

You are looking for an instant answer. Your answers will only be as
good as the information you first supply. Task Manager is how you
provide that information as Rebecca has properly rephrased. There is
no magic answer from the minimal facts you have provided. And the task
(or process) Internet Explorer (or iexplore.exe) is only one of
possible places to first find necessary facts - such as which task
(process) is causing your problem.

If you start a backup, then what tasks (processes) load - even
spelling must be accurate? And when you are done, which task
(processes) don't close? Which ones keep using CPU time? No one can
see this on your computer. You must provide these useful details.
Otherwise every answer is nothing more than wild speculation.

The app that suggests what is reading/writing to a drive is Task
Manager.

 

[Stan Brown]

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 11:35:28 -0400 from Rebecca Hubbard

I have the same problem with my 80 GB WD External drive - When I try to use
the Safely Remove Hardware icon, I get a "Generic Volume can't be stopped."

I get that occasionally. Usually it's because I still have an
Explorer window open on the drive, or something else like that.

have you closed your backup program and any other programs that may
be accessing the drive? (Hint: Virus scanner. I've got mine set not
to scan the external drive.)

 

[Stan Brown]

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 11:59:34 -0400 from Ted Zieglar

Good points all. I would like to add that an advantage of backing up to
a second internal hard disk is that backups (and restores) go quicker,
which may encourage more people to backup more often.

The real bottleneck, I think, is just remembering to run the backup.
While it's true you can set automatic backups to an internal drive,
I'd rather have a more secure backup at the cost of a tiny bit of
extra effort (plugging in a power cord and a USB cable).

I question how much faster an internal backup can be. My external
backup, of about 20 GB, takes less than ten minutes.

I don't think an external hard disk is less susceptible to power
glitches than an internal hard disk, unless you unplug the external disk
when not in use,

Which is, of course, why everyone recommends doing that. I leave the
power cord/transformer plugged in to the wall but unplug it from the
drive. By contrast, with your computer the power suply is _always_
attached.

An external hard disk is more easily stolen than a desktop computer.

Perhaps-- but it's also less likely to *be* stolen, even if sitting
on the desk. And if it's stored in a drawer somewhere, it's much
*less* likely to be found and stolen.

In any event, it's much, much less likely to be stolen than a laptop.

 

[-Nisko-]

I'll try to find a way to NOT scan for viruses on the drive. Thanks.......

 

[-Nisko-]

Hi!!! What is "Unlocker?" I have MMJB on my system - but haven't used it
lately because it doesn't support an Ipod.

Just an update:

I fixed my problem (similar, but different). Apparently, MusicMatch
Jukebox
has a cute little mim.exe helper app that scans all drives for files in
the
background, and it cranks up at startup.

(I used Unlocker to figure this out, by the way.)

I disabled mim.exe from the startup services list (registry edit) and also
changed the MMJB settings in the registry to not readd it to the startup
list, and everything's fine now. Problem solved!

Exactly where in the Registry do I find these entries?

Thanks.........

Thanks!
~Rebecca

 

[Rebecca Hubbard]

Just an update:

I fixed my problem (similar, but different). Apparently, MusicMatch Jukebox
has a cute little mim.exe helper app that scans all drives for files in the
background, and it cranks up at startup.

(I used Unlocker to figure this out, by the way.)

I disabled mim.exe from the startup services list (registry edit) and also
changed the MMJB settings in the registry to not readd it to the startup
list, and everything's fine now. Problem solved!

Thanks!
~Rebecca

I'll try to find a way to NOT scan for viruses on the drive. Thanks.......

 

[nikola66]

I loooove "Unlocker" it's a wonderful program !!!!
(Sorry but i don't remember where i got it from )

NEO