"Safely remove hardware" icon is missinbg

[Jyeshta]

Hi,

I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.

Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.

Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.

Gail

 

[John John]

Try runnign this command (Start>Run):

RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked. If that doesn't work go
through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.

John

 

[Jyeshta]

Thank you so much, John. I will try this and post back my results.

Gail

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

Try runnign this command (Start>Run):

RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.

I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.

Thank you!

Gail

 

[John John]

Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the
Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if
things change.

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

I'm kind of afraid to try the Add/Remove method for fear I'll mess
something up. I take it I would be removing the external drive, which
is the only USB device I have? Many, many thanks.

Gail

 

[John John]

No, you just have to chose the "Unplug/Eject" option. It's going to
look almost identical as the rundll32 methot but you will run through a
few screens before you get to the end. Lifted from a Microsoft page:

To unplug or eject devices

1. Open Add/Remove Hardware in Control Panel.

2. Click Next, click Uninstall/Unplug a device, and then click Next.

3. Click Unplug/Eject a device, and then click Next.

4. Select the device you want to unplug or eject, and then click Next.

5. Click Next to confirm that you want the device unplugged or ejected.

6. Click Finish.

Important
• It is important to use the Add/Remove Hardware wizard before
physically unplugging a device to avoid data loss or other serious
malfunctions of the computer or device.

Notes
• To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click
Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon.

• If you frequently need to unplug the device, be sure the Show
Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar check box is selected in the Completing
the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard page. The next time you want to unplug or
eject the device, you can use the icon on the taskbar instead of the
Add/Remove Hardware wizard.

• To reinstall the device, connect the device to the appropriate slot or
port.

End

You can always click cancel at any point to exit the Hardware Wizzard
without changes. Remember that the drive should be plugged in in order
to make it to the last steps.

Another thing to verify is with the drive plugged in right click the
drive in Windows Explorer and check the "Properties" to see what options
are available there.

John

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

When I get to the window that asks what device I want to remove, the
space is blank and I can't proceed ahead. I'm stumped. I checked
Properties on both partitions (drive is partitioned and no single
device shows up in Explorer) and there's nothing on any of the tabs to
indicate the unplug option or icon. So I guess I'm out of luck. The
only way I have to unplug the external drive now is to shut the
computer off, which I hate doing because then certain updates need to
be reinstalled all over again, so obviously, there's something wrong
with Windows 2000 on my computer.

Any other suggestions would be greatly welcomed, and I thank you so
much for all your help.

Gail

 

[John John]

The drive is plugged in and works yet it doesn't show up in the "Unplug"
option? Does it show when you use RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL
hotplug.dll ? Do you have a printer on a usb port to try the same thing
with?

John

 

[John John]

It seems to me that the dingbats at WD should have known this... they
claim it is a known issue... their drives after all, and they suggested
that you search MSKB for the answer! Rotten tech support to say the least.

A Western Digital USB hard drive is not shown in the "Safely Remove
Hardware" function under Windows 2000.
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc...Wx5IFJlbW92ZSBIYXJkd2FyZQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

Or Microsoft page here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;841880&Product=win2000

You need to contact MS to get a hotfix.

John

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

Oh, no wonder! Well, how do I contact Microsoft? Do you know their
contact address for requesting hot fixes? Thank you *so much*!

Gail

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

I wrote to the "contact us" form on the Microsoft website. I hope
that is the right place - I didn't see any options for writing
specifically to request a hotfix. Again, thank you so much!

Gail

 

[John John]

I'm not sure it's going to be of any help. Windows 2000 is out of
mainstream support so I'm not sure if these hotfixes are still available
free of charge (if at all). Contact information is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support The Windows 2000
support information is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/extendedsupport.mspx

The support information clearly states: "During the Extended Support
phase, Microsoft continues to provide security hot fixes and paid
support but no longer provides complimentary support options, design
change requests, and non-security hotfixes." One of the MVP's can
comment or give you further information on that, I don't know if the fix
is available from Microsoft.

But I know that you can get the file from another source if you don't
mind downloading a 230 MB plus package for a single 23k file, it's the
Windows 2000 SP5 we never got...
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Microsoft-Windows-2000-Unofficial-SP5.shtml

John

 

[John John]

Let us know what their answer is, whether or not they will still supply
the hotfix free of charge.

John

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

Just my luck! Do you think Service Pack 5 will mess up my computer?
Thank you *so much*!

Gail

 

[Jyeshta]

Yes, I will. Thank you so much, John!

Gail

Let us know what their answer is, whether or not they will still supply
the hotfix free of charge.

John

 

[John John]

You're welcome Gail. As for SP5 mucking up your computer, that's the
$64,000 question. I just don't know what might or might not happen if
you install this on your pc. You might want to read here for more
information on this SP5:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=69579 I just came across
this product by searching for the updated Usbstor.sys (v 5.0.2195.6934)
that is shown as the fix to the problem you are experiencing, I have not
personally tried it. The author of the pack says the file is in his
latest version (
http://www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/index.php/t56784.html ) so I
posted the information for you to consider.

Keep in mind that this is NOT an approved Microsoft product although it
is made up of Microsoft updates and fixes. Also keep in mind that the
reason that Microsoft doesn't release all hotfixes to the general public
is because some of these fixes have not been fully tested and may cause
problems on some computers. You will have to decide for yourself what
to do. You could download the package then unpack it in a temporary
location and replace only the file in question after you satisfy
yourself that it is the correct version. Or you can install the whole
thing if you think its a good idea. I think the product could be useful
in situations like yours.

John

 

[Jyeshta]

Hi John,

Thank you once again! I am very hesitant to install that Service Pack
5 because a non-critical update released a few months ago turned my
screen green and I had to uninstall it. With the current condition of
my computer, I'm not sure I really dare to try it. Thank you for the
link! I have more reading to do! Thanks so much John for helping me
so much with this issue. I wish I could return the favor.

Best wishes,
Gail

 

[John John]

You're welcome.

John

Hi John,

Thank you once again! I am very hesitant to install that Service Pack
5 because a non-critical update released a few months ago turned my
screen green and I had to uninstall it. With the current condition of
my computer, I'm not sure I really dare to try it. Thank you for the
link! I have more reading to do! Thanks so much John for helping me
so much with this issue. I wish I could return the favor.

Best wishes,
Gail

 

[Jyeshta]

Microsoft did reply, and they uploaded the hotfix, free of charge, to
a webpage for me to download. But they warn that it has not been
fully tested and that I should back up everything first before I
install it. I don't think I'm going to install it, in that case.
I've been having enough problems with my pc.

Again, John, thank you *so much* for all your help. I'm not very well
versed in the troubleshooting of computer problems, so your help was
invaluable.

Best wishes,
Gail