Getting an exception when I attempt to SAFELY REMOVE HARDWARE

[DSST]

This has never happened before this week, but I'm now unable to enter the
'Safely Remove Hardware' window when I choose the icon in the system tray.
Instead, I get the following RUNDLL message: -An exception has occurred while
trying to run "shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug,dll" Help!

 

[ToddAndMargo]

This has never happened before this week, but I'm now unable to enter the
'Safely Remove Hardware' window when I choose the icon in the system tray.
Instead, I get the following RUNDLL message: -An exception has occurred while
trying to run "shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug,dll" Help!

Try installing service pack 3

 

[g_xii]

I'm getting the exact same error! I have installed SP 3 and all updates.
I'm running XP Pro, peer-to-peer environment, AMD Athlon 2800+, 2 GB RAM, 2
SATA hard drives PLUS an external USB 2.0 IDE hard drive (250 GB). I use a
little 1GB Thumbdrive all the time -- now, all of a sudden, it gives me this
error when I try to shut down the device for safe removal. I never even get
to the screen where it shows WHAT devices are on the system. I get the error
as soon as I double-click the "SAFELY REMOVE HARDWARE" icon next to the
windows clock. I click it, and then about 10 seconds later I get the error.
I've been sending the error to MS, but it has yet to point me to a possible
solution. Any help would be appreciated as it's a HUGE pain to shut down
this machine just to remove the thumbdrive and then power it back up! Thanks!