Is it alright to restart or shut down a computer with USB devices still connected?

Question

I'm wondering whether any data stored in USB devices (ie cameras, MP3 players, flash drives) will get corrupted if you leave them still connected to a computer as you restart or shut it down. Should I unplug them first before doing any of the above actions?

Answer 1

I have WINXP and several USB devices are connected. Have been for at least two years.
Digital camera
Joystick
Scanner
printer
compact flash card reader
camera phone

I usually leave all of them connected when I shut down and no harm has come as of yet.

Answer 2

If you shut down your computer properly with the USB drive running, Windows will properly disconnect itself from the USB drive while Windows is going through it's shut down procedure. If you have to press the computer's reset button due to a crash, then the external hard drive should be alright. If the hard drive was writing something, then you will lose data. If the hard drive was reading something, then the heads will probably go back to their rest position when you restart the computer. Usually if the drive is idling, the hard drive would move the heads off the platters while you're running Windows. The only thing that will make your hard drive heads come crashing down on the platters is if the stylus is not in it's parked position and you smack the hard drive hard. Tip: Any time you go through a crash like a BSOD or if the power goes out, it would be a good idea to check your hard drives. After you restart Windows, check your C: drive for file system errors and do that for other partitions/drives if you were accessing them during the crash. To check a partition/drive, just go into My Computer and right click the drive that you want to check and then select 'Properties.' Then click on the 'Tools' tab. You don't have to do the 'bad sectors scan.'

Answer 3

I think it will be OK if you shut down your computer with USB devices still connected. You can unplug your USB after the computer is off. But maybe its not the same case if you restart your computer. You know that sometimes a little problem occurs if we start the computer with the USB still plugged on it.

Answer 4

No - you be ok if you left them attached.
One thing u should be aware off.
Shutting down the system is ok,
.
The only time that things would go haywire would be if there was a lightening storm and you had a power surge - like most electrical gear - power surges can be hazardous,
.
When u restart your computer, all add ons, such as yr camera, usb etc etc will take the computer slightly longer to reconize all attached add-ons.
.
So - what would the best solution be.
Disconnect your add-ons after use.
.
The option is yours
.

Answer 5

With XP Home or Pro it should be no problem. No hardware damage will occur in a healthy PC.

The only risk I can conceive of is perhaps losing data from the attached devices if they are unplugged incorrectly or prematurely.

Leaving them plugged in actually eliminated this problem rather than creating it.

regards,
Philip T
(FYI .... always refer to the manufacturer's manual for the final word)

Answer 6

According to the techinical person NO problem u can connected and shut down or restart ur computer.
Suppose if anything happen that time what would u do so better better u can remove before any thing happen

Answer 7

You do not have to disconnect the devices prior to shutting down the system. Use "Unplug or Eject Hardware" in the system tray to safely remove them when the system is still powered up.

Answer 8

No it could damage your usb drive or what ever it is, because shutting it down improperly can cause corrupt files.

Answer 9

No they should be fine as long as you aren't working with them at the time you are shutting down your computer.

Answer 10

well, try to unplug your usb and use your safely remove hardware option....there is a chance that either the computer or the usb or both get broken.......