The Safely Remove Hardware feature and the Windows Explorer "Eject" command do not work correctly with an Apple iPod that is connected to a Windows Vista-based computer

When you try to disconnect an iPod from a Windows-Vista based computer, the data on the iPod may become corrupted. This article describes how you can download an update that prevents this problem from occurring in the future. Note that the update addresses only the issue in which the Eject command does not work when you right-click the iPod through Windows Explorer or when you use the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area. If you are searching for troubleshooting information that is not referred to in this article, please try searching the Knowledge Base again by using keywords that describe your problem. This article provides step-by-step guidance that leads you through downloading the update and how you can prevent this problem from occurring.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.
You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

Consider the following scenario. You have an Apple iPod that is connected to a Windows Vista-based computer through a USB connection. Then, you disconnect the iPod from the computer. In this scenario, the data on the iPod may become corrupted.

This problem may occur if you use one of the following methods to disconnect the iPod:

• You use the Safely Remove Hardware feature in the notification area to disconnect the iPod. Then, you disconnect the USB cable.
• You use the Eject command in Windows Explorer to disconnect the iPod. Then, you disconnect the USB cable.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfixes and security updates that are included in SP2 for Windows Vista Service and for Windows Server 2008

For more information about the hotfixes and the security updates that are included in SP2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008, visit the following Microsoft TechNet Web site: -Note: Currently, the list of hotfixes and security updates is available only in English.

Update information

Before we begin, we have to determine whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows Vista operating system so that we can guide you to the instructions that match your system. If you already know which version of the Windows Vista operating system is running on your computer, go to Method 2. If you are not sure which version your computer is running, go to Method 1.

Method 1: Determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit Microsoft Windows operating system or a 64-bit Microsoft Windows operating system

1. Click
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type system in the Start Search box, and then click system in the Programs list.
2. The operating system is listed as follows:
   • For a 64-bit version operating system: 64-bit Operating System appears for the System type under System.
   • For a 32-bit version operating system: 32-bit Operating System appears for the System type under System.

Method 2: Install update 936824

To download update 936824, complete these steps:

1. Download the update.
   
   The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
   
   
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   Download the Download the update for Windows Vista 32-bit version (KB936824) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=6A9FC712-F518-44AB-A11F-B6AA22525DEC)
   
   
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   Download the update for Windows Vista 64-bit version (KB936824) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A7A9FD92-7521-4A6F-BDD2-790EE2612D66)
   
   Release Date: May 8, 2007
   
   For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   119591  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/119591/ ) How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services
   Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.
   If you receive a message that states that the update is not applicable, see the "Known issues" section.
2. Restart your computer after you apply this update.
   
   To learn how to prevent this problem from occurring in the future, see the "Prevention tips" section. To learn how to restore corrupted data, see the "Workaround" section.

Update replacement information

This update replaces update 933824.

File information

The English version of this update 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, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

When you try to install update 936824, you may receive one of the following messages:

The second message indicates that you already have installed the update. You can quickly check that the update is installed by running Windows Update.

To run Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Click
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , and then click Control Panel.
2. In the security section, click Check for updates. Or, double-click Windows Update if Control Panel is in Classic view.
3. Click Check for updates, and then click View available updates. If Windows Update does not offer the update, the update is already installed.

If the data on the iPod is corrupted, you can try restoring it. To do this, select the iPod in the Apple iTunes user interface. Then, on the Summary tab, click Restore to restore the iPod to working condition.

To safely disconnect your iPod from a Windows-Vista based computer, read the "Prevention tips" section.

To prevent this problem in the future, Apple recommends that you always use iTunes to disconnect or to eject an iPod. To eject an iPod in iTunes, click Eject iPod on the Controls menu. Then, disconnect the USB cable.

To make sure that you keep your computer always has the important updates, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about this problem, visit the following Apple Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.