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Close disk images on removable media prior to logout System
When you log out via fast user switching, OS X (Panther) does not automatically close any disk images you had mounted. If these images reside on removable media, then other users cannot unmount and remove the removable media since the "logged-out" user still has the image mounted -- even though it can't actually be in use (since it's controlled by a logged out user).

These other users cannot unmount the removable media. Yet they also don't see the mounted disk images. The OS simply complains the "disk is in use" when you try to unmount the removable media. So there is no clue offered as to what the problem is. The "solution" or lack of one, is to always unmount disk images before your log out.

I can't decide if this is a feature or a bug. On the one hand, it's nice in the sense that when the user logs back in, all his mounted images are still there where he left them. On the other hand, if you have several users, it's a giant hassle to undo this problem when you run into it. Indeed, only someone who knows all the passwords can undo this properly (without resorting to dangerous terminal commands or shutting down the computer). There probably ought to be a preference switch for this behaviour.
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Close disk images on removable media prior to logout | 7 comments | Create New Account
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"fast user switching" is not "logging out"
Authored by: j-beda on Jun 25, '04 11:23:01AM

The hint is worded a bit strangely. The whole point of "fast user switching" is that you DO NOT log out, rather your account remains logged in. Since the account is logged in, unmounting disks and similar activities should not occur.

If you want that sort of stuff to happen, then just log out rather than using FUS.



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"fast user switching" is not "logging out"
Authored by: Krioni on Jun 25, '04 01:43:09PM

j-beda is correct: when you fast-user-switch, you are NOT logging-out. So, of course your disks and disk images remain mounted - your account is still active and using them. If you want to logout, logout, don't FUS.

Basically, the hint's title is just wrong, since it is based on a misunderstanding of what FUS is.



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Just like any other file opened from the removeable media
Authored by: MrPhil on Jun 25, '04 02:12:34PM

This hint is a bit confusing (like the previous commentators commented. :-) The point of FUS is so that you don't have to log out and "lose your place" when someone else needs to use the computer.
What's really at issue is that the open disk image on the removeable media is really just an open file - just like if you had a Word document opened from the removeable media. But yeah, that does create a problem if someone else is using a disk - you can't eject it.

So, no, I don't think it is a bug.



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To claify
Authored by: SOX on Jun 26, '04 12:00:29AM

The hint should have said. When you log out (period). The fast user switching is a red herring.



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To claify
Authored by: j-beda on Jun 26, '04 08:50:46AM

When I log out (period), disk images are closed and all remote file that are mounted are unmounted. This is in 10.2.8 - is it different in 10.3?



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To claify
Authored by: SOX on Jun 26, '04 03:07:30PM

I can only say this is the case in 10.3.4



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Close disk images on removable media prior to logout
Authored by: PeteVerdon on Aug 19, '04 03:33:04PM

> it can't actually be in use (since it's controlled by a logged out user).

Of course it can still be in use - just because something isn't on the screen (because another user's stuff is there) doesn't mean it can't be running.

> only someone who knows all the passwords can undo this properly
> (without resorting to dangerous terminal commands or shutting down

What's dangerous about umount?

Pete



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