No "Safely Remove Hardware" icon to remove MP4 player?

Question

I just got a brand new mp4 player, it is charging but later on i want to unplug it from my USB port on the computer without messing it up. A friend told me if i unplug the mp4 without using the "safely remove hardware" icon (which used to pop up) it'll mess with the player (and i think it messed up my last one). But i can't find the icon on the task bar, its just not there. I really do not want to unplug my mp4 player without it being "safe". I'm using windows media player to transfer files onto it, i know not to unplug it when they are transfering but how on earth do i unplug it once i'm finished with that? How do i get the icon to come up? or how can i manually safely remove it? I am using windows XP. Any contributions are appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Update:

And also, is it ok to remove the plug once the computer is off? Thanks again, your contributions are appreciated!

BG Tips · Accepted Answer

Try going onto My Computer and right clicking on the icon for your MP4 player. It will come up with the option to eject or safely remove.
Hope that helps!

David M · Answer

The only way you could really 'mess up' anything is if you remove the connection when data is being transferred.  And the problem comes because it is not always explicit data transfer - sometimes they computer and the device are simply 'talking' to each other, without you asking them to.  So you can never be sure when it occurs.

In the case of an MP4 player though, it has a power button, so as long as you make sure the player is OFF, there will be no communication between the device and the computer and therefore no harm will be caused.

ItBeMoi · Answer

Well I have a bad habbit of removing my mp4 player without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" feature, it's never damaged the mp4 player and I have it over a year but then again I wouldn't recommend anyone else do it so I'm not sure.

The only thing I can suggest is that you shut down your mp4 player before disconnecting it to stop any data being transfered without you knowing it. That should ensure that no "partial data" in transfared.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, you shouldn't disconnect your branded MP4 player without "safe removal". Read this article if you are interested on why: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6444662-1.html

You can use suggested way to safely remove, or you might use more convenient software like USBDeview, QuickUnplug or USB Safely Remove (http://safelyremove.com/). The first one is free, and the last one is much more pleasant and has more features.

Ghiagirl · Answer

Another thing to check - go to the properties of your taskbar by right-clicking on it or going to Start Settings and Taskbar.  Click on Customize and look for Safely Remove Hardware and check that it is not set to "Always Hide".  Change to always show if it is hidden.  Good luck!

odili · Answer

hi dear?Try switching off your pc and then unplug the mp4 player.

? · Answer

Look for a little card with a green arrow near your clock area. You may have to click on the white arrow to expand and show all the programs with icons down there.

Ken_T · Answer

if its usb you can remove and connect it any time without causing any damage to your pc or player, but as you say not while transfering files.
ken_t

Stephen · Answer

Just unplug it. Nothing bad will happen. (well usually)

NFFC · Answer

is it switched on? and in file transfer mode?

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No "Safely Remove Hardware" icon to remove MP4 player?

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