"Barry Schwarz" <schwarzb@dqel.com> wrote in message
news:jjfs45hntmfjgdb1fbjtbl0sj4povaetqv@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:48:46 +0100, "M.I.5¾"
> <no.one@no.where.NO_SPAM.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>
>>"robgraham" <rttgrahamwow@btinternet.com> wrote in message
>>news:h9ydnfSwjOApBNHXnZ2dnUVZ8rKdnZ2d@bt.com.. .
>>>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?
>>>
>>
>>Provided your memory stick is configured for 'Optimise for fast removal'
>>(which it seems that it is), you can remove it as soon as the activity
>>light
>>is not showing/flashing.
>>
>>Safely remove hardware will give the response you report because there is
>>no
>>write cache to flush.
>
> I have seen this response when a file from the stick is still open
> even it has been saved or is read only.
>
> I have also seen this response when an xls file from the stick has
> been closed but Excel 2003 is still active.
>

A fair point.