I try to disconnect properly but if I plug the flash into to already connected hub there is no icon or the other symptom I've had the problem where there's an icon but doesn't want to disconnect when I plugged the flash drive into the hub. I'm sure that could be part of the problem.
Do you mind if we take a bit of a poll here?

1. Who has a successfully running hard drive?
2. Who is having similar problems to me?
3. who is having other problems?

This is probably mindless but it might point to my hub arrangement - either not enough power or speed???
TIA
C