"Safely Remove hardware"

Hi, I don't know if it's my computer's problem or something but I have a quick question, how come at the lower right bottom on the task bar where it says "Safely remove hardware" shows only 1 option "Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter #3" when I got like 3 plugged which are usb sound audio, keyboard?

Also, I have noticed that with 3 usbs plugged in my cpu, my ipod usb doesn't have enough power to connect...is there a way to solve it?


Thanks,

Hi, usually "Safely remove hardware" appears when you plugin a device with storage capabilities such as digital cameras, pen drives...etc. Which in this case it's your ipod.


Have you tried plugging the ipod in different usb slots?

Oh, and yes I've tried different usb slots and when I remove the ones infront of my cpu, it works fine...

for the power issue, chances are your front USB slots are underpowered (or you are using usb 1.0?) The ones in the back of your pc should have a seperate power source, so keep things you dont change often (mouse and keyboard) in the hard to reach back slots so they arent taking power from the front ones.

I think (if I recall), Windows puts devices in the "safely remove hardware" thingy if there are (or can be) files opened and closed in the device. The wireless adapter may appear to the system as a "file" to be written to (and read from). Btw, when you "safely remove hardware" you are simply ensuring that all files and processes to do with the device are properly closed - it's not a hardware thing.

Each USB "port" (which usually has 2 connectors on it) has only a limited ability to supply current. You need to either move the devices around so that they are in different ports, or get a powered USB hub to plug them into.
Usually, each pair of USB connectors are on a separate port - the 1 or 2 on the front, and each stack of 2 on the rear.