Safely unpluging USB devices?

[quads]

Hi.
I'd like to know is it safe to just unplug usb devices while the computer is still on...
I have a couple of portable USB devices that I always seem to be connecting to the same USB connector, so from time I just wanna switch from using one to another... The problem is that, with the exception of USB memory stick, the other USB devices don't show that icon where one can choose to "safely remove USB device"...
To ilustrate, when I plug in (or boot up my computer) with the USB Bluetooth adapter already connected no icon beside the bluetooth one will show up in the tray... So there's no place to choose from to "safely remove USB device". Right-clicking the bluetooth icon shows the item that says "stop the bluetooth device", but when I choose it the LED diode on the bluetooth adapter is still turned on, unlike when I choose to safely unplug my USB memory stick which tirns off a flashing LED light on it completly... It's a simmilar story for my USB reciver of my ATI Remote Wonder!
So, I'd like to know, can I harm my computer or USB device if I unplug it without choosing not to safely remove option, which isn't an option at all for the two non-memory portable USB device I have. Is there some other place, beside the icon in the tray, where one can choose such an option? I found under computer management an option to eject my memory stick but again no bluetooth adapter or remote wonder reciever...
TIA

[proffit]

i just pull my flash disk out and nothing has ever gone wrong. it is perfectly safe in my opinion.

[no1_vern]

Quote:

So, I'd like to know, can I harm my computer or USB device if I unplug it without choosing not to safely remove option, which isn't an option at all for the two non-memory portable USB device I have.

The reason for the warning is to ensure you have saved the info to your device before removing it. If you dont you risk losing your work. You wont mess up your hardware, but losing data is almost as bad. Especially if its a critical file.

[Peter M]

With storage devices, it is important to do that "safe removal" thing so that Windows writes its buffers back to the device.

Other devices, like modems, mice and other gadgetry, can be removed without prior notice, and hence aren't listed in the Safe Removal applet.

[rabidaardvark]

Toms Hardware did a little unplugging fest at some point to see what would happen. They never found a problem with anything.

[sr71000]

yea...love that avitar rabid as far as this stuff...peter's right..the only reason doing the safe removal thing is important with a usb flash drive is so that you know windows is done writing your info. if you were to unplug it while windows was writing a file...well..bye bye file ...if you unplug your mouse or bluetooth adapter and it's in the middle of something..oh well..happens...no info is lost (unless your transfering data with the bluetooth adapter, then it sucks again) lol. As far as hardware dammage, microsft claims there can be...but who trusts microsoft anyways? lol

[Killer169]

i forgot to safely remove my usb and now i can not open my favorites. I do not now if it is a map i downloaded or the usb. Can anybody help. everytime i open favorites my internet closes out.


killer169

[synthminx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter M

With storage devices, it is important to do that "safe removal" thing so that Windows writes its buffers back to the device.

Other devices, like modems, mice and other gadgetry, can be removed without prior notice, and hence aren't listed in the Safe Removal applet.

*Thanks for this info! Most interesting. I was wondering why there wasn't an option for removal!