Consequences of not using the "hardware eject?"?

Venetta Coulbourne: If the device is a USB version 1.1 unpluging the device with out turning it off will damage it, you are unplugging the device while there are open files and it has power. Some USB 1.1 devices will not power down with the 'Safely Remove Hardware' option in the sys tray. You have to power the computer down before removing the device!Some USB version 2.0 will detect the removal and will not cause any harm. Some don't. In any case to save your self some greif and not damage the device use the 'Safely Remove Hardware' option in the sys tray.More information, tips, and how to's on my web site:...Show more

Aubrey Tirri: it has to do with the make and model of the hardware as such as my father inlaw brings over his external hard drive to my puters to get my downloads and if he unplugs it all with the removing safely buton then all data is lost completely with a format to follow ....... so there for with all i use it for reassurance reasons ....lol

Ricardo Rozelle: I have no idea, but I do it all the time, and have had no ill effects.

Paul Maymi: well it really depends on your drive. It can lead to data loss of corruption in flash drives and incomplete files in hard drives. Basically as long as your not writing to it or have the file system open in Windows Explorer your fine.