[pcvchriskmg]

I loaned my USB flash (Imation Atom 4GB) disk to a colleague; it was working fine when I gave it to her. She could not dismount the disk from her netbook, even after everything was closed. The computer kept saying the disk was in use. After 5 minutes of this, I pulled the disk out and put it into my machine.

First, Microsoft Security Essentials found and removed “Worm:Win32/Autorun.gen!inf.

Next, I was given the message "Do you want to scan the disk for errors?" I clicked 'yes' but got a "Windows can't check the disk while it is in use. Do you want to dismount the volume first?" I click on "Force dismount" and received a message "Windows can't check the disk while it is in use. Do you want to check for hard disk errors next time you start your computer." I check the box that says “Schedule disk check,” the box automatically closes. I re-start my computer, it boots up just fine, but does not appear to do any type of disk check.

I have no problems “safely removing the disk.” I can eject it every time without fail, but every time I plug the device back into the system, I receive the “scan and fix” prompt.

When I try to format the device, I am given the message "The drive is in use. Another program or process is using this device. Do you want to format it anyway?" I click "Yes" and receive the message "Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of the drive. Then try formatting again." After clicking OK, I can immediately eject the drive without receiving any message such as "drive is in use.

When I go into “devices” then “properties” “device status” it says the device is working properly.

The real issue is that I can’t see the files on the disk. When I right click on the disk and select “properties” it shows the pie chart and indicates that 1 GB of space is used (that seems about right). I just can’t see/don’t have access to the files.

This has been going on since last night; I’ve ejected this disk and restarted my computer numerous times.

What is going on with this thing?

Chris

[pcvchriskmg]

it was "readyboost"

this thread is closed

[aliasme]

Glad you figured this out; you can mark this "SOLVED" using the thread tools...

[aliasme]

Forgot to mention previously that it would be nice if you told us how you solved this problem; the information you provide could help someone else in the future.

[pcvchriskmg]

In Windows Vista and Windows 7, there is an option to boost the system's RAM via a flash disk. Windows gives the option to allocate some space on the disk to the system's RAM, thereby boosting the system's overall RAM. I had done this, and that is why I was continually told by windows that the "device was in use" even if it didn't appear that way. By right clicking on the drive, clicking properties and then moving to the "readyboost" tab, I was able to select "do not use this device" [for readyboost]. Therefore,my computer was no longer using space on my disk for RAM and I could then scan the disc with no issues.

[aliasme]

Thanks for the update; not a real fan of ReadyBoost, so I don't know much about it. I installed it for a friend on a Win7 laptop a few months ago, but he hasn't given me any feedback about it yet.

Keep punching; you're doing fine...