Safely remove hardware in windows for smooth linux use

Whenever i tried to access my FreeAgent USB Harddrive in windows and unplug it without using the safely remove hardware feature in windows, i am not able to mount it properly in linux. When i just boot into windows and connect the harddisk and use safely remove hardware. it starts mounting properly.

Ubuntu 7.10

Had a feel of Ubuntu from a older Live CD. The Ubuntu linux really rocks. So downloaded the latest Ubuntu 7.10 named Gutsy. Will try to install it and play around with it. It is really great to hear that the distro will be supported officially upto 2 years. A free distro with 2 years of support.
Downloaded the iso image. Let us see how my plan goes?