USB HD Write/corruption problem

[Minwah]

I have a USB2 hard drive, which up until recently has worked very well (I only use it for backups and transferring stuff to my cab).  Anyway the other week it started playing up: I'll copy stuff onto it from my desktop, fine.  But then when I try to copy it from the drive onto another PC, half of the time the files are corrupt.

I think what is happening is that after the drive has been written to, it is not 'finalised' or whatever the term is...as if the drive hasn't truly finished writing.  One thing I've noticed is that I cannot 'safely remove' the device - it says 'the device cannot be safely removed now, try later' or words to that effect.  But if I wait all year I still get the same message...but just switching off the drive hasn't caused me any problems upto now.

Anyone have any ideas as to what I should do?  As I haven't had any probs before I am inclined to think the drive is knackered...basically I cannot trust it with anything important so it may as well be anyway.  I'm a bit pissed off tho as the drive hasn't seen much use, but hey...

[lokki]

I have a USB2 hard drive, which up until recently has worked very well (I only use it for backups and transferring stuff to my cab).  Anyway the other week it started playing up: I'll copy stuff onto it from my desktop, fine.  But then when I try to copy it from the drive onto another PC, half of the time the files are corrupt.

I think what is happening is that after the drive has been written to, it is not 'finalised' or whatever the term is...as if the drive hasn't truly finished writing.  One thing I've noticed is that I cannot 'safely remove' the device - it says 'the device cannot be safely removed now, try later' or words to that effect.  But if I wait all year I still get the same message...but just switching off the drive hasn't caused me any problems upto now.

Anyone have any ideas as to what I should do?  As I haven't had any probs before I am inclined to think the drive is knackered...basically I cannot trust it with anything important so it may as well be anyway.  I'm a bit pissed off tho as the drive hasn't seen much use, but hey...

You can safely disconnect your Drive if your computer is off.

If you cannot disconnect with the computer on, Then likely something is using that drive. Even things like having explorer open can prevent you from disconnecting.


Also check Control Panel, Device Manager, and then find the USB Drive in the Device Manager.

If you use 'Safe removal' the drive will be slower, but should behave better when removing the drive.

If you change this to maximum performance 'Maximum Performance' then you should definetly use the safely remove device thing.

[Minwah]

You can safely disconnect your Drive if your computer is off.

If you cannot disconnect with the computer on, Then likely something is using that drive. Even things like having explorer open can prevent you from disconnecting.


Also check Control Panel, Device Manager, and then find the USB Drive in the Device Manager.

If you use 'Safe removal' the drive will be slower, but should behave better when removing the drive.

If you change this to maximum performance 'Maximum Performance' then you should definetly use the safely remove device thing.

Thanks for the reply, I hadn't though of shutting down the PC (duh!)...

I'll check in Device Manager also...

Cheers

[Minwah]

Also check Control Panel, Device Manager, and then find the USB Drive in the Device Manager.

If you use 'Safe removal' the drive will be slower, but should behave better when removing the drive.

If you change this to maximum performance 'Maximum Performance' then you should definetly use the safely remove device thing.

Where are these options?  I have looked in Device Manager but I can't see it  

[lokki]

Also check Control Panel, Device Manager, and then find the USB Drive in the Device Manager.

If you use 'Safe removal' the drive will be slower, but should behave better when removing the drive.

If you change this to maximum performance 'Maximum Performance' then you should definetly use the safely remove device thing.

Where are these options?  I have looked in Device Manager but I can't see it  

Assumming you are using XP.
Control Panel ->Adminsitrative tools -> Device manager ->Disk Drives
Find your removable drive  (USB something) right click properties.
Policies tab

[Minwah]

Assumming you are using XP.
Control Panel ->Adminsitrative tools -> Device manager ->Disk Drives
Find your removable drive  (USB something) right click properties.
Policies tab

Gotcha, thanks...I was looking under the USB devices rather than drives.

It was already 'optimised for quick removal', which apparently shouldn't need 'safely removing', but I've switched it to 'optimise for performance', and I will make sure I safely remove from now on (seems to work the 2nd time I try as long as I close Explorer first).

Fingers crossed all will be OK...thanks again