Missing "safely remove hardware" icon.

[Mark N]

I have lost the icon in the notification area (lower right corner) that
tells me when it is safe to remove hardware from my computer. It used to
always be there when I reboot but now it ts gone and I don't know how to get
it back.
I have tried the settings in the taskbar and start menu properties but to
no avail. I set the option to always show the Icon. If I system restore to a
previous time it will come back until I use it, then it disappears again.

Is this feature a service or a process or an application? If it is, what is
it called?

I have a removable hard drive (USB) that slides into a bay on the front of
my computer that I use to backup files with but I dont want to lose data or
damage the drive by removing it without turning it off safely.

Can anyone help me with this?
I am using;
Windows XP SP2 pro media center edition
TIA.........Mark N.

 

[MsOsWin]

I have a removable hard drive (USB) that slides into a bay on the
front of my computer that I use to backup files with but I dont want
to lose data or damage the drive by removing it without turning it off
safely.

maybe someone in rec.photo.digital (card raders experince) or in comp.peripihs has some tips??