robgraham wrote:
> I often simply unplug my memory stick without any ceremony, but I
> know this is frowned on. What is the problem with doing this?
>
> Also, when I try to use 'Safely remove hardware' it tells me that
> it cannot be removed 'at this time, try again later'. Assuming I've
> waited until all files have finished being saved, why is it that
> such a message is generated?

The removal of the USB stick can be sangerous because there is a read/write
cache that Windows uses that may still contain unwritten data not yet
written (as you may have asked it to be) on the USB stick. If you remove
the memory stick without the proper procedure, there is a risk that
unwritten data will be lost and the copy you have will be incomplete or
corrupted.

Make sure all windows even 'showing' the files are closed and that anything
you started running from the memory stick is closed (may have to look at
task manager.)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html