'Safely Remove Hardware' disappeared

[Carole UK]

My 'safely remove hardware' icon has disappeared from my taskbar - not sure
when it disappeared, or why.

The only thing I can think might have caused it is that I used Autoruns a
few weeks ago - maybe I disabled it somehow. Anyway, I've looked through the
autoruns files, and can't see anything that looks like it might be 'safely
remove hardware'.

Can anyone help me find it and get it going again, as I really don't like
unplugging storage sticks etc without stopping them first.

Thanks in advance

 

[John John]

Right-click on the notification area, and select Properties. In the
"Notification area" click on "Customize". You should find what you need
there.

John

 

[Carole UK]

Thanks for reply.
Right, I've done that.
'Safely remove hardware' was listed under 'past items' - I set it to always
show, clicked apply, then OK. The icon didn't appear.
I did a reboot. Nothing. Plugged a storage stcik in and out. Nothing.

What next please ?

 

[John John]

Look in the Device Manager and make sure that the stick is not
"Optimized for quick removal", have it set to "Optimize for performance".

While the stick is pluged in you can run this command:

rundll32 shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

and check to see if you can change the defaults for the stick.

John

 

[Carole UK]

Hmmm getting closer (thanks for your help )
Device manager showed all OK (except I couldn't actually see anything about
'optimising'.....)

Ran the command, and the normal 'safely remove hardware' window popped up,
and I did a normal stop. The icon also appeared in the task tray.
However, I did a reboot and the icon has disappeared again. I checked
properties and 'remove hardware safely' is still in the past items list with
status 'allways show'.

??

 

[John John]

In "My Computer" go to the Properties for the stick then click on the
Hardware tab. The Optimize options should show on the Policies Tab.

John

 

[Carole UK]

Right..I did that..got the 'optimise 'options and set it to performance.
Stopped the stick..no prob.

Did a reboot....no icon in the taskbar.

I can see that I can work round the prob with these other approaches....but
ideally I'd like to get the link in the taskbar as normal (or start
menu...anything ???)

Can't understand why I can't get the icon in the taskbar ?? sorry to be a
pain...

 

[John John]

Well, I'm out of ideas for now, maybe someone else has other ideas. You
made sure that you don't have the option to hide it when it's inactive
enabled? Other than that you can make a small batch file with the
rundll32 shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll command and place it or
a shortcut to it on the desktop and double click it when you want to
safely eject the stick. A kludge of a fix no doubt, but short of other
ideas that is all I can suggest for now.

John

 

[Carole UK]

OK that works for me. thanks for your time

 

[John John]

You're welcome.

John

 

[M.I.5¾]

My 'safely remove hardware' icon has disappeared from my taskbar - not
sure
when it disappeared, or why.

The only thing I can think might have caused it is that I used Autoruns a
few weeks ago - maybe I disabled it somehow. Anyway, I've looked through
the
autoruns files, and can't see anything that looks like it might be 'safely
remove hardware'.

Can anyone help me find it and get it going again, as I really don't like
unplugging storage sticks etc without stopping them first.

The 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon should only appear on the task bar if you
have removeable media that has been configured for write back cacheing
(Optimised for Speed). With this type of cacheing, it is vital to stop the
device and force a cache flush to ensure that everything really is writen to
the device. USB sticks should set themselves up for write through cacheing
(Optimised for Removal) in which case the safely remove hardware is not
required because writes are not cached. It is only necessary to ensure that
the access light isn't lit or blinking before unplugging the stick and all
should be OK.

If you wish to check, then right click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'.
Now select 'Drive Management'. When it opens navigate down to your USB
stick and right click on the grey bit to the left and select 'properties'.
Now select the 'Policy' tab and you will presented with a dialogue box to
select the type of cacheing.

I always recommend setting up removeable drives as 'Optimised for removal'
unless there is a real need for the 'Optimised for speed' as it easy in a
moment's forgetfulness to pull the stick without stopping it first. This
often results in the last data written being lost.