Solved Not removing USB 3.0 external hard drive

Bob Hawkins

New Member
Messages
21
This might be a warning to others as much as a reprimand to myself. I have two USB 3.0 ports on the front of my Dell XPS 8500 Dell desktop. Once again I have caused the USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller to stop working because I did not disconnect the external hard drive before shutting down, it seems. It reminds me of leaving in a floppy drive but at least the computer would not boot in that circumstance. Now, there is no warning whatsoever. Dell technical support's answer is to refresh or reset the machine.
I should value other users' comments and any different advice that would be less time-consuming than having to reinstall all of my applications.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Winsows 8
Does the drive spin down after some time idle? I'm wondering because I had a USB 2.0 external that would work ok left permanently connected on one of my HP desktops if I set it to never spin down The other HP desktop it did not like to be left connected. Although I didn't get any drastic side effects. I think I just had to unplug, then plug the drive.

Did you try the standard trick of uninstalling in Device Manager in Safe Mode? Often the plug and play reinstall of the driver fixes things that are stuck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Hmmmmmmm, I have a Toshiba 500 GB external drive that I leave attached and have for as long as I've had it. I had a Western Digital MyBook that I left attached also with no ill effects (before I dropped it and killed it). Both are USB and the Toshiba identifies itself as USB 3.

These drives have been left on my old DG33BU Intel mobo (USB 2) and on the newer HP 500-056 without issue. In fact, when I travel I take the Toshiba with me and it's semi-permanently attached to my USB 2 laptop.

I even have a BlacX USB Docking Station that I leave attached (with a regular SATA hard drive inserted).

So, I'm wondering if there might be something else going on here, or if it's an exclusive Dell problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Likewise I had a couple of SIIG USB 3.0 docking stations hooked up to the machine that did not like my Seagate 500 GB external USB 2.0. Seems like it's catch as catch can with some of this stuff.

Edit: but that PC was running Vista64 SP1, if it matters.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
I had a Western Digital MyBook that I left attached also with no ill effects (before I dropped it and killed it).

-Dont feel bad, I dropped a BRAND NEW 2 TB MyBook and killed it. I was lucky they gave me a new one.

So, I'm wondering if there might be something else going on here, or if it's an exclusive Dell problem.

Might be Dell, I've noticed this kind of behaviour with Windows 7 on recent Dell Machines. I don't know if it is really bad to just unplug a USB 3 device? I always just unplug USB 2's.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.
I had my own thought, too: System Restore. Fortunately, an automatic restore point had been created yesterday. Lo and behold! I am back in business.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Winsows 8
Might be Dell, I've noticed this kind of behaviour with Windows 7 on recent Dell Machines. I don't know if it is really bad to just unplug a USB 3 device? I always just unplug USB 2's.

I remember back when USB was first introduced that we were told it could be plugged in with the system running or not (I think it's called hot swap), but for the most part, I've avoided doing that. But there are so many others who weren't as cautious as I was, and have plugged and unplugged at random . . . so it would be rather disingenuous for USB 3 to require anything different.

Can you imagine this scenario . . . New computer with USB 3 that requires the system to be shut down before connecting and disconnecting . . . Wynona has always just "pulled the plug" and does so, much to her chagrin . . . She just hosed her system.

Logic tells me the requirements remain the same and besides, it seems Bob didn't "pull the plug" on his external drive, which caused his grief.

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that it's possibly a requirement to disconnect an external drive before shutting down.

@Bob . . . You must have gotten the worst tech rep in the Dell organization if he suggested resetting or refreshing the machine when a simple system restore cured its ills!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Once again I have caused the USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller to stop working because I did not disconnect the external hard drive before shutting down,

Hi Bob Hawkins,

Can't you please explaibn what "not working" entails? Does it just cause the USB3 ports to revert to USB2 speeds or something different? I will wait for your explanation before I make any suggestions because I need to understand exactly what not working means; however, I will tell you that you are not alone with this issue.

BTW, you should be not have to unplug that drive before shutting down.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Wynona, I have a program that does "Hot Swap" - I can use it to connect and disconnect SATA drives from my system while it is running.

I have had to just YANK my USB's out when they refused to let go gracefully, none of them have seemed to develope problems. I keep them CHKDSK'd and optimized though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
my2cents
I thank you for your query.
In normal circumstances, there would be three beeps from the PC upon connecting the external hard drive, the external hard drive would show a blue light and File Explorer would open. I know something is wrong when I have left the external hard drive connected and no blue light shows following starting the PC. I check File Explorer and see that the external hard drive is not recognised. I check Device Manager and see '...stopped working...' that is part of the message in the Device status window of the General tab of the USB 3.0 host controller.

Wynona
I thank you for your comments.
Dell technical support's very first action was to change the driver when the one being used was seen to be up to date. This worked for two days but then failed. The next person I spoke to suggested that the wrong driver had been used and chose another. When this failed, too, I was taken through a refresh. It was not until the external hard drive was not recognised once again that it was suggested the problem all along could be caused by the permanent connection of the external hard drive. I guess it is a valid point that at no time was I taken into System Restore. As an aside, however, I must say I find System Restore far less satisfactory in the random manner in which it seems to operate sometimes than was ever the case in XP.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Winsows 8
Wynona, I have a program that does "Hot Swap" - I can use it to connect and disconnect SATA drives from my system while it is running.

I have had to just YANK my USB's out when they refused to let go gracefully, none of them have seemed to develope problems. I keep them CHKDSK'd and optimized though.

You can grow old waiting for Eject or Safely Remove sometimes. :)
What I do is run SysInternals sync.exe before pulling a drive. At least it flushes the disk buffers. It uses a clever trick of locking the drive momentarily using a system API call. This flushes any write cache or file/disk buffers for sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Thanx I'll try that, usually they come right off, but the two USB drives on this machine are treated more or less as permanent drives, so they don't wanna give up easily.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Thanx I'll try that, usually they come right off, but the two USB drives on this machine are treated more or less as permanent drives, so they don't wanna give up easily.

Yeah, my USB 3.0 docking stations I enabled write caching. Sync.exe kept me out of trouble. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Also, if not that downloader, there's one that puts all the shortcuts in the Start Menu(for those who still use SM)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
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