before taking out a usb reader always go down to where your clock is on you screen there should be a little icon with a green arrow pointing downwards click on this it will bring up a box letting you choose what to stop click the usb and then click stop your comp should not crash after doing it this way as this it a safe way(this is how i do it, you mite have to upgrade your os form what it is now to win xp or the like.hope this helped
helper
September 2006