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safely removing external HDD fails due to System $extend.

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(@williamsonn)
Posts: 85
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Hello

I am asking advice about this subject here as no common computing expert waas able to answer me regarding this question I have an external HDD containing a truecrypt , encrypted folder. When I mount the HDD, and dismount it the HDD can´t be stopped. The software USB safel remove says that it can´t be stopped due to D $Extend…. It is the same case as explained here

http//superuser.com/questions/510968/external-hdd-is-always-in-use-when-trying-to-safely-remove

What should I do? I wouldn´t like to damage the disk nor the data contained in it.

Please, my level of knowledge is near zero, so, please, try to explain it in an easy way.

Thank you very much for your help.

 
Posted : 01/04/2013 1:05 am
(@belkasoft)
Posts: 169
Estimable Member
 

What is the purpose of dismounting the disk? Is it your own (or office) hard drive, or a disk filled with evidence?

If it's your own disk, I would recommend dismounting it by followint these instructions (they describe how to remove the drive letter, after which the disk will become unlocked)
http//windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/mount-or-dismount-a-drive

If the disk contains evidence, it's better to simply shut it down the hard way.

 
Posted : 01/04/2013 1:41 pm
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

It is the same case as explained here

http//superuser.com/questions/510968/external-hdd-is-always-in-use-when-trying-to-safely-remove

What should I do? I wouldn´t like to damage the disk nor the data contained in it.

It should be connected with write cache, see

http//www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/138197-usb-drives-wont-eject-2.html
http//safelyremove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=129

By enabling Write cache, you should be able to "flush" changes when clicking on "safely remove" and thus "unlock" any connection to the \$Extend\ .
BUT you will have to always use the "Safely remove hardware".

jaclaz

 
Posted : 01/04/2013 3:11 pm
(@williamsonn)
Posts: 85
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Dear Belkasoft and Jaclaz. Thanks for your answers.

Belkasoft It is my own HDD.

jaclaz Do yo mean that I have to enable Write Cache in each PC I will plug the HDD on, and also to always use the software USB Safely remove, and so the HDD will always be safely and correcly removed? Are both methods(the one mentioned by Belkasoft and yours) similarly valid for this particular purpose?

Thank you both very much )

 
Posted : 07/04/2013 5:59 am
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

jaclaz Do yo mean that I have to enable Write Cache in each PC I will plug the HDD on, and also to always use the software USB Safely remove, and so the HDD will always be safely and correcly removed?

No, I don' t mean that, it seems like it is not a "generic" issue, surely it doesn't happen on *all* OS/installs, simply your mileage may vary.

Are both methods(the one mentioned by Belkasoft and yours) similarly valid for this particular purpose?

Of course no, at least myself simply love to provide senseless and unuseful info. 😯
Just try them. wink
Chose the one you like better/works better for you.

Following Belkasoft's suggestion, it might be easier/more practical to use Mountvol /D
http//ss64.com/nt/mountvol.html

…or try RemoveDrive
http//www.codeproject.com/Articles/13839/How-to-Prepare-a-USB-Drive-for-Safe-Removal
http//www.uwe-sieber.de/drivetools_e.html
or EjectMEdia, as above and here
http//www.codeproject.com/Articles/259577/How-to-flush-a-storage-volumes-the-file-cache-lock

jaclaz

 
Posted : 07/04/2013 8:37 pm
(@williamsonn)
Posts: 85
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

I have tried enabling and disabling write cache and quich removal. Nothing works.

The disc is a 500GB Seagate containing truecrypt encrypted folders. The fault is only when I write on the disc or mount the encrypted volumes on the disc but not if I only plug the disc and see its contents. This failure is only in Vista and W7, not in XP.

The computer with Vista or 7 don´t recognize the disc as removable.

1- I have not tried with unocker otr safely remove softwares the option "kill the process".(I rember you that process is identified by Safely Remove as System $Extend, etc) Will cause any damage to the disc if I try "kill this prcess?

2-If that doesn´t work What is the way I should follow in order to safely eject the disc, without damaging it? (You told me some other options but my level of knowledge doesn´t allow me to understand them properly) Is there any software which can do it, or is there in task manager any process I could manually stop without damaging Windows, but allowing to safely stop the disc?

thanks

 
Posted : 03/06/2013 2:53 am
(@williamsonn)
Posts: 85
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

3rd question

I have read on internet that if nothing works for properly ejecting external storage media, you can safely remove them by simply shutting down PC. Is this true? If so, this is made through a command on cmd or simply is made by turning off usually the computer button with the mouse?

 
Posted : 03/06/2013 3:07 am
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

3rd question

I have read on internet that if nothing works for properly ejecting external storage media, you can safely remove them by simply shutting down PC. Is this true? If so, this is made through a command on cmd or simply is made by turning off usually the computer button with the mouse?

A switched off PC (if using an ATX power supply) still has some power to allow

  • wake on lan
  • keyboard key press for switching on

Now, would you think probable that some of this low power is used to keep the $Extend locked on an arbitrary external HD?

Do you think that different methods to switch off a PC will result in a different kind of "off" status?

About

(You told me some other options but my level of knowledge doesn´t allow me to understand them properly)

Maybe you should try and improve your level of knowledge. ?

Carpenter's example
Q. I need to connect two pieces of wood together, how can I do that?
A. You can use nails (driving them with a hammer), screws (driving them with a screwdriver), glue (spreading some glue on the two surfaces to be joined) or hot glue (applying it with a hot glue gun).
Q. I am sorry, but I cannot use a hammer, don't know how to turn a screwdriver to drive a screw, have no glue and I am simply scared of using a hot glue gun, so I just placed the two pieces of wood one over the other and I am waiting some time to see if they will become joined by themselves.
A. Good luck with your attempt.

Do you want to try and solve your issue or just make "random" attempts but the ones needed because these random ones are less "difficult" than the actually needed/suggested steps?

jaclaz

 
Posted : 03/06/2013 2:14 pm
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