Microsoft KB Archive/940508

= In Windows Vista, a USB device may lose data if you right-click the device in Windows Explorer and then click Eject =

Article ID: 940508

Article Last Modified on 9/11/2007

-

APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition

-



SYMPTOMS
In Windows Vista, a USB device may lose data if you right-click the device in Windows Explorer and then click Eject.

This problem occurs if the device uses the NTFS file system.

Note This problem does not occur if the USB device uses the FAT32 file system. This problem also does not occur in Windows XP.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because Windows Explorer does not unmount the USB device when you click Eject. Therefore, the NTFS file system cannot flush cached data to the device, and the data is lost.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

Registry information
You do not have to make any changes to the registry.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions


WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use the Safely Remove Hardware item in the notification area to remove the device.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbfix kbqfe kbpubtypekc kbexpertiseadvanced kbexpertiseinter kbhotfixserver KB940508

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.