1
On a Win7 laptop, when I plug in any external USB3 platter-based hard drive into a...
USB3 port, and then click on the Eject option in the system tray (and receive the Windows message that it safe to remove), the activity light on the drive will go into a slow-flash mode, indicating that all data has been written, the heads are parked, and it is safe to unplug. I can also hear and feel the platters stop spinning.
USB2 port, and then click on the Eject option in the system tray (and receive the Windows message that it safe to remove), the activity light on the drive will remain steadily on and I can hear and feel the platters continuing to spin.
How can I get drive removal to function the same on the USB2 ports as the USB3 ports?
After Windows says the drive is safe to remove, is there any harm in unplugging the drives when connected via USB2, even though the drive indicator light remains on?
I think Windows has an option to allow Quick Removal (safe to unplug even without ejecting, default option), or use Better Performance (needs to eject to remove safely) for your USB drive. – ionizer – 2018-05-07T19:37:06.190
2"the activity light on the drive will go into a slow-flash mode, indicating that all data has been written, the heads are parked, and it is safe to unplug." ... oh yes? you're sure that's what it means? – Attie – 2018-05-07T20:24:50.200
@Ramhound Both. I tried it with the same exact device being connected as well as two different devices of the same model. The results were the same. – RockPaperLizard – 2018-05-07T21:28:32.483
@Attie Pretty sure. I can hear and feel the platters stop spinning after ejecting from the USB3 port, but definitely still spinning after ejecting from the USB2 ports. – RockPaperLizard – 2018-05-07T21:35:13.900
@Ramhound I added some text in bold italics above as well. – RockPaperLizard – 2018-05-07T21:36:28.623
Try using a program like Zentimo to see how the drive reacts on the different USB buses with the different commands from it. It also allows you more insight and control over what Windows does with removeable devices. – YetAnotherRandomUser – 2018-05-08T02:08:06.737