cannot stop external hard drive using 'safely remove hardware' option

[prakash_s]

I have a problem using "unplug or eject hardware" to stop
my 40GB External hard drive before I disconnect it from my Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop. I get the message: "The device "generic volume" cannot be stopped
right now. Try stopping the device again later." And the external drive runs continuously... I have tried with 'restart' option also.. but could not be stopped.. Finally, when I used 'shut down' option, the external HDD stopped running.. But, I am afraid, if this persists, datas in external HDD would get lost or even the drive also may get damaged.. Kindly suggest me suitable actions to be taken.. Waiting for reply...

Configuration:
Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook
2GB RAM
Windows XP Professional
100GB Hard Disk
40GB external USB HDD

[aleydoon]

I had the same problem, the solution I found is written in: http://simtalks.blogspot.com/2008/11...be-safely.html

[EINSTEIN_007]

I had the same problem, the solution I found is written in: http://simtalks.blogspot.com/2008/11...be-safely.html

There is also a similar thread posted in the newsgroup: Can't safely Eject External Hard Drive

[johnson22]

see here for some suggestion : http://forums.techarena.in/windows-2...are/759847.htm
Windows can't stop Generic volume