External HDD and front USB?

[Kenny]

Asus A7N8X, added an IcyBox external HDD enclosure with a Maxtor 160GB in
it. It worked OK but I couldn't stop it using the Safely Remove Hardware
icon. After much head scratching and tryiing various things thought I'd try
it in one of the back rather than front USB ports.
I can now use the Safe Removal icon to stop it. Whilst I'm happy it now
works I'm curious to know why it works? I know there's a physical
difference in that the front USB's are connected via header pins whilst the
back are integral to the m/b but why should this device work differently in
the back?

 

[Roger Hamlett]

Asus A7N8X, added an IcyBox external HDD enclosure with a Maxtor 160GB in
it. It worked OK but I couldn't stop it using the Safely Remove Hardware
icon. After much head scratching and tryiing various things thought I'd try
it in one of the back rather than front USB ports.
I can now use the Safe Removal icon to stop it. Whilst I'm happy it now
works I'm curious to know why it works? I know there's a physical
difference in that the front USB's are connected via header pins whilst the
back are integral to the m/b but why should this device work differently in
the back?

Personally, I'd just right click on the drive, and select 'eject'. It is a
lot easier than going all the way through the 'safely remove hardware'
list.
I have seen drives not offer the hardware removal option when running
through some hubs. Most USB ports do have one or more internal hub
'layers', and I'd be suspicious that the front ports have an extra layer
of this type, compared to the rear ones. Being on a header as such, should
make no difference.

Best Wishes

 

[Venom]

Could be the front ports are usb1 and the rear ports are usb2 ?