"Safely remove hardware" icon is missinbg

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Jyeshta

03-14-2006, 08:35 PM

Hi,

I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.

Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.

Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.

Gail

John John

03-14-2006, 09:50 PM

Try runnign this command (Start>Run):

RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked. If that doesn't work go
through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.

John

Jyeshta wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
> icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
> get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>
> Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
> Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>
> Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
> Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>
> Gail

John John

03-14-2006, 09:50 PM

Jyeshta

03-15-2006, 05:05 PM

Thank you so much, John. I will try this and post back my results.

Gail

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
wrote:

>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>
>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>
>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked. If that doesn't work go
>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>
>John
>
>Jyeshta wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>> icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>> get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>
>> Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>> Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>
>> Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>> Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>
>> Gail

Jyeshta

03-15-2006, 05:32 PM

Hi John,

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
wrote:

>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>
>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>
>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.

I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.

Thank you!

Gail

>If that doesn't work go
>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>
>John
>
>Jyeshta wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>> icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>> get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>
>> Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>> Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>
>> Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>> Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>
>> Gail

John John

03-15-2006, 06:22 PM

Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the
Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if
things change.

Jyeshta wrote:

> Hi John,
>
>
> On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>>
>>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>>
>>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.
>
>
>
> I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
> appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
> to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
> the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
> it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
> the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Gail
>
>
>
>>If that doesn't work go
>>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>>
>>John
>>
>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>>>icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>>>get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>>
>>>Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>>>Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>>
>>>Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>>>Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>>
>>>Gail
>
>

Jyeshta

03-16-2006, 05:50 PM

Hi John,

I'm kind of afraid to try the Add/Remove method for fear I'll mess
something up. I take it I would be removing the external drive, which
is the only USB device I have? Many, many thanks.

Gail

On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:22:59 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
wrote:

>Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the
>Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if
>things change.
>
>Jyeshta wrote:
>
>> Hi John,
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>>>
>>>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>>>
>>>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>>>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.
>>
>>
>>
>> I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
>> appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
>> to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
>> the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
>> it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
>> the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Gail
>>
>>
>>
>>>If that doesn't work go
>>>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>>>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>>>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>>>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>>>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>>>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>>>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>>>
>>>John
>>>
>>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>>I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>>>>icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>>>>get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>>>
>>>>Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>>>>Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>>>
>>>>Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>>>>Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>>>
>>>>Gail
>>
>>

Jyeshta

03-16-2006, 05:50 PM

John John

03-16-2006, 06:41 PM

No, you just have to chose the "Unplug/Eject" option. It's going to
look almost identical as the rundll32 methot but you will run through a
few screens before you get to the end. Lifted from a Microsoft page:

To unplug or eject devices

1. Open Add/Remove Hardware in Control Panel.

2. Click Next, click Uninstall/Unplug a device, and then click Next.

3. Click Unplug/Eject a device, and then click Next.

4. Select the device you want to unplug or eject, and then click Next.

5. Click Next to confirm that you want the device unplugged or ejected.

6. Click Finish.

Important
• It is important to use the Add/Remove Hardware wizard before
physically unplugging a device to avoid data loss or other serious
malfunctions of the computer or device.

Notes
• To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click
Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon.

• If you frequently need to unplug the device, be sure the Show
Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar check box is selected in the Completing
the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard page. The next time you want to unplug or
eject the device, you can use the icon on the taskbar instead of the
Add/Remove Hardware wizard.

• To reinstall the device, connect the device to the appropriate slot or
port.

End

You can always click cancel at any point to exit the Hardware Wizzard
without changes. Remember that the drive should be plugged in in order
to make it to the last steps.

Another thing to verify is with the drive plugged in right click the
drive in Windows Explorer and check the "Properties" to see what options
are available there.

John

Jyeshta wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> I'm kind of afraid to try the Add/Remove method for fear I'll mess
> something up. I take it I would be removing the external drive, which
> is the only USB device I have? Many, many thanks.
>
> Gail
>
>
> On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:22:59 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the
>>Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if
>>things change.
>>
>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Hi John,
>>>
>>>
>>>On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>>>>
>>>>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>>>>
>>>>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>>>>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
>>>appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
>>>to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
>>>the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
>>>it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
>>>the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.
>>>
>>>Thank you!
>>>
>>>Gail
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>If that doesn't work go
>>>>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>>>>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>>>>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>>>>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>>>>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>>>>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>>>>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>>>>
>>>>John
>>>>
>>>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>>I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>>>>>icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>>>>>get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>>>>
>>>>>Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>>>>>Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>>>>
>>>>>Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>>>>>Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>>>>
>>>>>Gail
>>>
>>>
>

John John

03-16-2006, 06:41 PM

John John

03-16-2006, 06:41 PM

Jyeshta

03-16-2006, 08:55 PM

Hi John,

When I get to the window that asks what device I want to remove, the
space is blank and I can't proceed ahead. I'm stumped. I checked
Properties on both partitions (drive is partitioned and no single
device shows up in Explorer) and there's nothing on any of the tabs to
indicate the unplug option or icon. So I guess I'm out of luck. The
only way I have to unplug the external drive now is to shut the
computer off, which I hate doing because then certain updates need to
be reinstalled all over again, so obviously, there's something wrong
with Windows 2000 on my computer.

Any other suggestions would be greatly welcomed, and I thank you so
much for all your help.

Gail

On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:41:47 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
wrote:

>No, you just have to chose the "Unplug/Eject" option. It's going to
>look almost identical as the rundll32 methot but you will run through a
>few screens before you get to the end. Lifted from a Microsoft page:
>
>To unplug or eject devices
>
>1. Open Add/Remove Hardware in Control Panel.
>
>2. Click Next, click Uninstall/Unplug a device, and then click Next.
>
>3. Click Unplug/Eject a device, and then click Next.
>
>4. Select the device you want to unplug or eject, and then click Next.
>
>5. Click Next to confirm that you want the device unplugged or ejected.
>
>6. Click Finish.
>
>Important
>• It is important to use the Add/Remove Hardware wizard before
>physically unplugging a device to avoid data loss or other serious
>malfunctions of the computer or device.
>
>Notes
>• To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click
>Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon.
>
>• If you frequently need to unplug the device, be sure the Show
>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar check box is selected in the Completing
>the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard page. The next time you want to unplug or
>eject the device, you can use the icon on the taskbar instead of the
>Add/Remove Hardware wizard.
>
>• To reinstall the device, connect the device to the appropriate slot or
>port.
>
>End
>
>You can always click cancel at any point to exit the Hardware Wizzard
>without changes. Remember that the drive should be plugged in in order
>to make it to the last steps.
>
>Another thing to verify is with the drive plugged in right click the
>drive in Windows Explorer and check the "Properties" to see what options
>are available there.
>
>John
>
>Jyeshta wrote:
>> Hi John,
>>
>> I'm kind of afraid to try the Add/Remove method for fear I'll mess
>> something up. I take it I would be removing the external drive, which
>> is the only USB device I have? Many, many thanks.
>>
>> Gail
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:22:59 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the
>>>Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if
>>>things change.
>>>
>>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi John,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>>>>>
>>>>>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>>>>>
>>>>>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>>>>>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
>>>>appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
>>>>to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
>>>>the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
>>>>it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
>>>>the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.
>>>>
>>>>Thank you!
>>>>
>>>>Gail
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>If that doesn't work go
>>>>>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>>>>>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>>>>>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>>>>>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>>>>>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>>>>>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>>>>>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>>>>>
>>>>>John
>>>>>
>>>>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>>>>>>icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>>>>>>get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>>>>>>Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>>>>>>Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Gail
>>>>
>>>>
>>

John John

03-16-2006, 08:59 PM

The drive is plugged in and works yet it doesn't show up in the "Unplug"
option? Does it show when you use RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL
hotplug.dll ? Do you have a printer on a usb port to try the same thing
with?

John

Jyeshta wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> When I get to the window that asks what device I want to remove, the
> space is blank and I can't proceed ahead. I'm stumped. I checked
> Properties on both partitions (drive is partitioned and no single
> device shows up in Explorer) and there's nothing on any of the tabs to
> indicate the unplug option or icon. So I guess I'm out of luck. The
> only way I have to unplug the external drive now is to shut the
> computer off, which I hate doing because then certain updates need to
> be reinstalled all over again, so obviously, there's something wrong
> with Windows 2000 on my computer.
>
> Any other suggestions would be greatly welcomed, and I thank you so
> much for all your help.
>
> Gail
>
>
> On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:41:47 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
> wrote:
>
>
>>No, you just have to chose the "Unplug/Eject" option. It's going to
>>look almost identical as the rundll32 methot but you will run through a
>>few screens before you get to the end. Lifted from a Microsoft page:
>>
>>To unplug or eject devices
>>
>>1. Open Add/Remove Hardware in Control Panel.
>>
>>2. Click Next, click Uninstall/Unplug a device, and then click Next.
>>
>>3. Click Unplug/Eject a device, and then click Next.
>>
>>4. Select the device you want to unplug or eject, and then click Next.
>>
>>5. Click Next to confirm that you want the device unplugged or ejected.
>>
>>6. Click Finish.
>>
>>Important
>>• It is important to use the Add/Remove Hardware wizard before
>>physically unplugging a device to avoid data loss or other serious
>>malfunctions of the computer or device.
>>
>>Notes
>>• To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click
>>Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon.
>>
>>• If you frequently need to unplug the device, be sure the Show
>>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar check box is selected in the Completing
>>the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard page. The next time you want to unplug or
>>eject the device, you can use the icon on the taskbar instead of the
>>Add/Remove Hardware wizard.
>>
>>• To reinstall the device, connect the device to the appropriate slot or
>>port.
>>
>>End
>>
>>You can always click cancel at any point to exit the Hardware Wizzard
>>without changes. Remember that the drive should be plugged in in order
>>to make it to the last steps.
>>
>>Another thing to verify is with the drive plugged in right click the
>>drive in Windows Explorer and check the "Properties" to see what options
>>are available there.
>>
>>John
>>
>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>
>>>Hi John,
>>>
>>>I'm kind of afraid to try the Add/Remove method for fear I'll mess
>>>something up. I take it I would be removing the external drive, which
>>>is the only USB device I have? Many, many thanks.
>>>
>>>Gail
>>>
>>>
>>>On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:22:59 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the
>>>>Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if
>>>>things change.
>>>>
>>>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Hi John,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca>
>>>>>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Try runnign this command (Start>Run):
>>>>>>
>>>>>>RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
>>>>>>
>>>>>>That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show
>>>>>>Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
>>>>>appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
>>>>>to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
>>>>>the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
>>>>>it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
>>>>>the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.
>>>>>
>>>>>Thank you!
>>>>>
>>>>>Gail
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>If that doesn't work go
>>>>>>through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the
>>>>>>"Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last
>>>>>>screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the
>>>>>>taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to
>>>>>>have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where
>>>>>>the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the
>>>>>>hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>John
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Jyeshta wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
>>>>>>>icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
>>>>>>>get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
>>>>>>>Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
>>>>>>>Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Gail
>>>>>
>>>>>
>