Annoying files in FAT drive
in [Using XP]
|
Prev: Support for XP
Next: Ubuntu upgrade problem
From: pyotr filipivich on 22 Jul 2010 20:27 Gualtier Malde <valacapt(a)yahoo.com> on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:03:50 -0700 typed in alt.os.windows-xp the following: > >Thanks, both of you. After reading I went to Folder Options > View and to my >surprise the "Hide protected files..." box was un-checked. Don't know how that >happened, but it certainly isn't my intention, anywhere. The files disappeared >then, but still there. I'll try to read up on this subject over the next days >and weeks. > >But there is a remaining problem: I can't unplug the drive without getting >yelled at. I click on the little icon but it says that the computer is >accessing the drive. This wasn't always the case; there was a time when those >files weren't there and the drive dismounted same as anything else. Anyway I >have looked around and can't find anything to do other than reboot. Disabling >the drive in Device Manager had no effect. > >I don't have enough USB ports to tie that one up for the entire run. What can I do? What do you mean by "entire run" - the whole time you are using the computer, or the drive? I find that if at first I can't dismount a drive, check to make sure anything which might be accessing it is "closed" - that includes windows explorer and the Recycle Bin. (Empty that out regularly, it clears the stuff off the external drive.) What usually works for me is to be specific. Windows will pop up with a "what device?" and you click on Drive G, and then it cascades "USB storage device", "Generic Drive", and "Whizbang External Drive" - click on the Whizbang drive. Repeat if necessary - sometimes (for reason having to do with the phase of the moon, and your sign) it will need the first one to tell it "time to wrap things up." and prepare to disconnect. The second times usually works. All this assumes that no program is using the drive - say the indexer, the directory listing, aliens from the future stealing disk space and cycles from their past ... Good luck on that. pyotr >gm -- pyotr filipivich Just when you think you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you find out it's a 900lb gorilla with a flashlight!!
From: Steve Urbach on 22 Jul 2010 20:55 On Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:03:50 -0700, Gualtier Malde <valacapt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >On 7/21/2010 20.46, Steve Urbach wrote: >> On Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:11:08 -0700, Gualtier Malde<valacapt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >>> I am using an external FAT drive of 40 GB for loading files for portability and >>> such. >>> >>> At this point there are two folders named: RECYCLER and System Volume >>> Information. I don't know how they got there - they weren't there when I got >>> the drive - or even from which computer they came. I use the drive in my XP >>> netbook and my W2000 Notebook. >>> >>> The system will not allow me to delete the files or format the disk, even in >>> Safe Mode. They take 500 MB and it's not as though I can't spare the space, but >>> this type of thing worries me because I don't know anything about them. >>> >>> I would appreciate learning about them - thanks >>> gm >> You have been told that they are system files. >> >> Normally, they are HIDDEN (Hide system files option) >> >> There is another ADVANCED setting that limits the size of the restore folder. >> You should understand all the ramifications before you start muckin' about in >> the core system areas :) >> >Thanks, both of you. After reading I went to Folder Options > View and to my >surprise the "Hide protected files..." box was un-checked. Don't know how that >happened, but it certainly isn't my intention, anywhere. The files disappeared >then, but still there. I'll try to read up on this subject over the next days >and weeks. > >But there is a remaining problem: I can't unplug the drive without getting >yelled at. I click on the little icon but it says that the computer is >accessing the drive. This wasn't always the case; there was a time when those >files weren't there and the drive dismounted same as anything else. Anyway I >have looked around and can't find anything to do other than reboot. Disabling >the drive in Device Manager had no effect. > >I don't have enough USB ports to tie that one up for the entire run. What can I do? >gm Windows has an option for removable media that tends to send conflicting (to humans) messages. With the drive attached. In my computer, right-click the drive, select properties. click the hardware tab Find your drive again (this time it may be listed by Model) Click Properties Select the Policies tab. If the Optimize for quick removal option is (Normal for removable), then you may get the (sometimes bogus)"busy message" ,. just watch the activity LED on the drive and unplug when steady. (Note indexing, A/V scans may keep the drive busy) or you could change the setting to "Performance". That should allow a "Now Unplug Safely" , BUT... This allows caching which is hazardous to un-intended disconnects (data,directory linkages may not have been written out) :( Go for a goo powered USB Hub and put the non-critical items on that (Losing a mouse is lots moe betta than your data)
From: George on 27 Jul 2010 14:07
"Gualtier Malde" <valacapt(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message news:duWdnfzl77TEU9XRnZ2dnUVZ_hCdnZ2d(a)giganews.com... > On 7/21/2010 20.46, Steve Urbach wrote: >> On Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:11:08 -0700, Gualtier >> Malde<valacapt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >>> I am using an external FAT drive of 40 GB for loading files for >>> portability and >>> such. >>> >>> At this point there are two folders named: RECYCLER and System >>> Volume >>> Information. I don't know how they got there - they weren't there >>> when I got >>> the drive - or even from which computer they came. I use the drive >>> in my XP >>> netbook and my W2000 Notebook. >>> >>> The system will not allow me to delete the files or format the disk, >>> even in >>> Safe Mode. They take 500 MB and it's not as though I can't spare >>> the space, but >>> this type of thing worries me because I don't know anything about >>> them. >>> >>> I would appreciate learning about them - thanks >>> gm >> You have been told that they are system files. >> >> Normally, they are HIDDEN (Hide system files option) >> >> There is another ADVANCED setting that limits the size of the restore >> folder. >> You should understand all the ramifications before you start muckin' >> about in >> the core system areas :) >> > Thanks, both of you. After reading I went to Folder Options > View > and to my surprise the "Hide protected files..." box was un-checked. > Don't know how that happened, but it certainly isn't my intention, > anywhere. The files disappeared then, but still there. I'll try to > read up on this subject over the next days and weeks. > > But there is a remaining problem: I can't unplug the drive without > getting yelled at. I click on the little icon but it says that the > computer is accessing the drive. This wasn't always the case; there > was a time when those files weren't there and the drive dismounted > same as anything else. Anyway I have looked around and can't find > anything to do other than reboot. Disabling the drive in Device > Manager had no effect. > > I don't have enough USB ports to tie that one up for the entire run. > What can I do? > gm > This tells me that you have the Recycle Bin(RECYCLER) and System Restore(System Volume Information) monitoring this drive. This is why Windows is always using the drive. Go to the drives properties and turn them off and they will dissapear! I am amazed that no one has been able to tell you that. George |