The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    USB Utility

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by K7WTHAZ, Aug 17, 2010.

  1. K7WTHAZ

    K7WTHAZ Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    29
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Does anyone know of an USB utility that I can use to turn off something connected? I'm shooting pictures for inventory at a company and I have to connect my camera every time I shoot a picture. The purpose of connecting the camera every time is to crop and rename the photo to correspond with the part number. I'm just wondering if there's a program that could allow me to push a button to disconnect the camera so I can shoot, push the button again to reconnect and edit.
     
    K7WTHAZ, Aug 17, 2010
    #1
  2. lbohn

    lbohn Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    320
    Messages:
    235
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Software:
    USB Disk Eject: http://quick.mixnmojo.com/usb-disk-ejector

    This will disconnect more than just USB disks. You will, however, need to unplug & reconnect the camera for the computer to see it again.

    Operating System:
    Use the Device Manager to first Disable (to shoot) then Enable (to edit) the camera. The camera may be under "Imaging Devices", "Portable Devices", "Other Devices" or another device type. Find your camera device, right click and select "Disable" then click "Yes" in the dialog box warning. To enable your camera, right click your disabled camera device, select "Enable" and it should be reconnected.

    Hardware:
    http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/e2d2/
    A 7-port USB hub with switches for each connected device. Flip the camera's USB switch off to shoot and flip it on to edit. Sadly, it's on backorder.

    http://www.geekstuff4u.com/elecom-power-strip-4-usb-hub.html
    A similar 4-port hub sold in Japan, and available through GeekStuff4U in the US.

    --L.
     
    lbohn, Aug 17, 2010
    #2
  3. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    4,127
    Messages:
    7,860
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    0
    User Retired 2, Aug 17, 2010
    #3
  4. K7WTHAZ

    K7WTHAZ Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    29
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thank You both for your time! I prefer Hotswap because I can disable it and then hit rescan hardware within the program and it will find it again.
     
    K7WTHAZ, Aug 17, 2010
    #4
  5. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,038
    Messages:
    3,071
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    105
    There's a windows gadget for that. It'll auto dismount and auto remount or scan.

    Also, you can use devcon to program a key on your keyboard to disconnect your camera and reconnect.
     
    jackluo923, Aug 17, 2010
    #5
  6. K7WTHAZ

    K7WTHAZ Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    29
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the info! Did you have a link handy for the windows gadget? If not, I will look for it.
     
    K7WTHAZ, Aug 17, 2010
    #6
  7. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

    Reputations:
    2,674
    Messages:
    6,039
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Got a link for that gadget?

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Aug 17, 2010
    #7
  8. K7WTHAZ

    K7WTHAZ Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    29
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I think I found it! Windows Live Gallery

    Ahh, to badd it doesn't refresh my camera. This would be better for someone needing it for optical drives and maybe thumb drives. Hotswap seems to be the best solution for me.
     
    K7WTHAZ, Aug 17, 2010
    #8