I am a little confused, and completely clueless, of why this happens, and if it matters what I do.
When I have things plugged into my USB 2.0 port, like my iPod or my memory stick, There comes up at the bottom right in the registry a way to disconnect them. I can click it, and it says that I can disconnect. But sometimes, I just pull it out, say if I need to leave in a hurry or something, or I'm just lazy. Does it matter what I do? Do I always need to "safely" remove items by clicking them and removing them at the bottom right, or can I just pull it out? If you need any other computer specifications, please say so.
2006-08-19 12:58:48 · 8 answers · asked by classical_maniac101 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Yeah the iPod is a little bit different, you have to eject it in iTunes first.
I think what gaurav k said makes sense. If you are sure that there is no activity, then you can unplug it.
2006-08-20 00:39:38 · update #1
You should be OK
The safe removal is mostly for when you actually transferred data from one unit to the other, in case the transfer had not completed...
2006-08-19 13:03:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do the same as you. As far as I know, the 'safely remove' is that the computer is not reading or writing to the device in the USB. After I dl pics and the memory stick light goes off I feel it is safe to unplug it.
I'm gonna watch this question to see if anyone else has input different than this.
2006-08-19 20:07:41 · answer #2 · answered by pappy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Safe removal is intended, if there is any data transfer is going on or any file or resource is open from the USB Device and u r not aware of it, which assure u of data & Device protection, but if u r sure that there is no activity is going on with yr device u can simply unplug it
2006-08-19 20:10:37 · answer #3 · answered by gaurav k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USB devices are hot swappable, meaning you do not have to turn your PC off to plug and unplug them. FireWire devices are the same way, but USB is more common. PS2, parallel, serial devices have to be unplugged and plugged with the PC off.
2006-08-19 20:06:19 · answer #4 · answered by tmills883 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont "always" need to disconnect it. if youve used something from the usb port, give it a minute before you pull it out. It may not be done transferring data, which could result in data loss
2006-08-19 20:05:38 · answer #5 · answered by c-money 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I-Pod I don't know - but flashdrives, we are supposed to be able to remove them without "safely remove hardware." I compare going through this motion to "shutdown" - where the system makes all the files are closed (before you remove the flashdrive).
Just for the heck of it I ran through this with my flashdrive. Took 15 seconds.
2006-08-19 20:08:21 · answer #6 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always unplug memory sticks like that and never had a problem.
2006-08-19 20:06:18 · answer #7 · answered by W&W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it serves no real purpose, and is perfectly fine to just unplug it.
2006-08-19 20:04:12 · answer #8 · answered by Cindy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋