Okay I'm using Vista and getting back to the original question my computer does the same thing when I use the Safely Remove Hardware Icon... my drives disappear. What I understand is using that Icon basically turns off the USB drives making it safe to remove the device and upon bootup they are turned back on again. For now I only use the USB ports for my thumb drive and digital camera. Since there are no moving parts in the thumb drive... once the copying is done with can it just be withdrawn from the computer without using the Safely Remove Hardware or will it damage the computer? The same for the camera... would it be safe to simply just unplug the cord once the downloading of pictures is complete? Bob

Mine was factory set at Manual and works fine so I left it as such. I never had trouble but am happy to read of Mikie's solution in case I ever do have a problem. It is my understanding that the Safely Remove Hardware is like shutting the "juice" off B4 you pull your flashdrive out to prevent a jolt that may cause you to lose the files that are on the drive. And like not plugging in an appliance with the switch on. The light goes out on my Sandisk Cruzer mini when I use the Safely Remove Hardware and pulls out OK. The light also goes out on my new Cruzer Micro BUT flashes as I am pulling it out even tho I used the Safely Remove Hardware. Is that an arc????? Urlee

I never use paint remover on hardware. I boil it in water in an old pan it "melts" the paint allowing you to wipe it off (careful-it gets really hot). I'd try it on one piece. If the top layer is latex, there's a good chance that just light boiling might be enough to enable you to wipe off the white paint leaving the enamel original coat intact. Worth a try.

We had the same problem with Newport Brass faucets & also the shower head. The plumber removed all of the flow restrictors and the increased water flow is great.