safely remove hardware icon gone

[cmillar6]

Windows XP SP2, my safely remove hardware icon no longer appears in my system tray when my external drives are plugged in. I tried another drive and the problem persisted so its not a drive problem. I have already tried the fix under hide inactive icons but that didn't work, suggestions?

[codered6651]

Try this http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm you want #5 on the left.

You can also try this:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type "Devmgmt.msc" in the Open box with out quotes, and then click OK.
3. On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes. This causes Windows to recognize new devices.
You will find Mass harware device With a red X.
Pleae enable it, click OK.
4. Close Device Manager and Control Panel.
This should return Safely Remove Hardware Icon.

[XenaWP]

Try this:

http://www.neilturner.me.uk/2007/Apr...remove_ha.html

[cmillar6]

none of those suggestions worked,

the external drive shows up in the device manager just fine, it just doesn't launch the safely remove hardware icon as it usually does. It won't even show up for my memory card reader either.

[XenaWP]

The link I provided creates an icon that you can leave on the desktop or put in your QuickLaunch area that brings up the "Safely Remove Hardware" window.

[cmillar6]

thanks, that does work but its a workaround, I would really like to try to resolve the issue as to why windows is not launching the icon itself.

[codered6651]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 thanks, that does work but its a workaround, I would really like to try to resolve the issue as to why windows is not launching the icon itself.

Actually there is no straight forward answer. Hope this little tidbit will help shed some light on your question http://ask-leo.com/safely_remove_har...ithout_it.html

[cmillar6]

I solved the problem, the solution was strange however it fixed the problem. The problem was with the built in memory card readers in my HP all in one printer. My computer was booting so fast that the HP all in one software didn't have time to shake hands and initialize with the printer. Therefore, the card reader built into the printer which is a removable device failed to launch and the safely remove hardware icon did not show up, and wouldn't even when I plugged in my external drive. All I did was add a password to my windows xp account and that little bit of time it takes to enter the password slows down the boot process and the safely remove hardware icon shows up every time now.

[Cricket]

Glad you found a fix for this problem...interesting outcome.

Cricket