System and method for media status notification

After it is determined that a memory storage device supports media status notification (MSN), the operating system (OS) enables MSN by sending a command to the device that disables the ejection mechanism within the device. The operating system commences MSN operation using one of two alternative modes. In an Asynch mode, the OS issues a single status command to the device. The single status command is stored in a queue pending the occurrence of a media event related to the device's removable medium, such as an ejection request. After the media event occurs, the device completes the status command by altering the removable medium's status and reporting the altered status within a data packet sent to the OS. In a Polling mode, the OS periodically sends status commands to the device. The device ignores the status commands until a media event related to the device's removable medium occurs. After the media event occurs, the device completes the next status command by altering the removable medium's status and reporting the altered status within a data packet sent to the OS. After the OS receives the altered status of the removable medium, the OS is able to intelligently process the media event, such as the ejection request, without the possibility of any data loss.