On more occasions that I’d like to admit, Windows will not eject a USB device from my operating system when using the Safely Remove Hardware in the icon tray. The annoying error message Windows displays “The device cannot be stopped right now. Try stopping the device again later” usually appears in a time sensitive situation. So what is the work around?

Try using a freeware software utility I found while reading FreewareGenius.com called Unlocker. Unlocker is a utility that frees a file or folder which is being used by another program or process. Albeit there are situations that a file should remain tied to it’s process or program but other times you need to force the release. (more…)

I love my laptop. My wife loves her laptop. It’s powerful, widescreen and portable. What more could one ask for? (I asked for a 19″ widescreen for the office)

First things first: Congratulations to S. Wastgate of Florida for winning the Proporta Laptop Sleeve. Mr. Westgate visits GetUSB at least once a week, pockets a huge 8GB flash drive, works from his HP laptop and claims his GPS unit as his favorite gadget (I would too if lost in the Everglades). Thank you Proporta for sponsorship.

Okay - back on track: It seems about half our visitors are on the same page, “love the laptop.” Not that a PC has it’s merits and provides an environment for complete customization of hardware. With laptops getting much more powerful and wide screen viewing it’s an easy decision to go that route when making the next computer purchase. I recently saw an article where $100 laptops should be out before 2008 (educational tool). Crazy.

Be sure to visit GetUSB web pages and vote. Please remember to CLICK AND ENTER TO WIN if you’d like a chance and this rounds gift.

If the USB A$$ Blower didn’t satisfy your need for fresh air then maybe a more subtle approach is needed…a more politically correct way of freshening up your office space. How about fresh fruit straight from a flash drive?

The crazy UFDs coming out these days are a stretch to grab marketing share; however I for one believe putting a little fresh-n-fruity smell into the air is a great idea. As not to leave any one preference out of mind, select from orange, strawberry, grape and apple. But you probably figured that out from the picture.

This is a pre-launch announcement from Microdia as the drives are not yet available. But they are expected to generate fruitful results. (more…)

It looks like 2007 will be the year of shipping wireless USB products. D-Link offers their wireless WUSB 4 port ultra-wide band USB hub for those seeking the ultimate laziness of USB connectivity. I for one agree, leaning over to connect a USB cable to your scanner, storage hard drive or printer is just too much work.

It looks like my paperless office will also be wireless by 2008, thanks to WUSB.

The D-Link DUB-9240 wireless hub wont be the fastest kid on the block as unofficial reports indicate transfer speeds of under 10MB/second and with no transfer speeds available on the D-Link website we aren’t too hopeful. With a maximum distance from base to hub at 30 feet I doubt this distance will have a big impact on performance.

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IOGear is set to release their upgraded USB Travel Kit which includes USB mouse and four port hub. The biggest improvement IOGear made was the VCSEL technology to their optical mouse. The Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser enables the mouse to work on any surface - including glass. Heck I can’t get my mouse to work on white paper so there is definitely value there. With a maximum of 1600dpi this means increased accuracy and decreased hand movement.

The 4 port USB hub is slim on design as this is a “traveling USB kit” so that added ports help out for limited laptop USB connectivity. I’d like to see a re-charger interface somewhere before calling this an ultimate USB travel kit.

The GME226 IOGear USB Travel Kit will be available soon, but their older version GKC431 is currently available although without the VCSEL technology.

USB on DOS, does it work? Sometimes. At least that’s the answer Ed gave me from BootDisk.com.

USB was never meant to run from DOS, yet there are situations you want a USB device to run from DOS. For those elite select few check out BootDisk to homebrew your own solution.

Unfortunately there isn’t one disc or zip file you can unpack, load and mount a USB device and for that reason BootDisk gives you several options to figure things out.

I would say BootDisk has the most complete collection of USB drivers around if you are one in need of USB on DOS.

Now here is a total waste of USB space, yet something which is totally cool…well…that is if you are 8.

SolidAlliance has yet out done themselves again with the pop-up pirate USB hub.

Come on, I know it put a smile on your face.

I doubt anyone reading this post will flinch for their wallet, but here’s the SolidAlliance website just in case. Interested in other USB novelty gadgets?

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