USB device hangs Windows XP startup

Question

I've been working on my neighbors Dell 4600 C here today. I replaced a faulty harddrive, but I am still perplexed as to why her HP printer is stopping the normal bootup sequence. When the device is plugged into any USB port I get a black screen and a cursor.  If I unplug the printer 4 mins later  the boot sequence resumes normally. The USB ports all tested fine in the Utility partition. Also, using a CD boot disk I've made which will load any windows version from the Harddrive, the printer installs and works normally from startup and the printer icon appears in the System tray.     If I boot from the harddrive, and then plug the printer back in after getting onto the desk top, the USB icon shows up in the System tray with the printer listed as a mass storage device.   Is there a way with a Dell system to do a non destructive  'in place repair ' using the Windows Restore Cd?   TIA.

RoadiJeff · Answer

Did you reload the drivers, specifically the chipset driver?

CJofVP · Answer

No.. what I did was Clone her old hard drive onto the new hard drive.

Majestic · Answer

One suggestion..... go into the BIOS Setup and disable any option for a USB Boot.  The system maybe looking at the printer as a bootable device.

CJofVP · Answer

LOL! Thanks Majestic...  I saw that enabled in  Bios lastnight but I figured it just couldn't be trying to boot the printer of all devices. :smileysurprised: One would think it would be looking for a drive with installed media (eg: usb zipdrive), so I left the setting alone. When I get a chance later tonight, I'll check the Bios on her PC again, and disable that option.  What you say makes perfect sense. It explains why, when unplugging the printer - windows resumes startup, and when plugging it back in the PC sees it as a USP device and not a printer.

deathaxe · Answer

I have had my new XPS 600 for 2 weeks and was getting the same problem after I installed my USB devices. Looking about the forum it seems that there is a problem with the A08 (and A09) BIOS with USB devices interferring with the startup. I have to leave all my USB devices turned off until windows starts (except for the USB keyboard and mouse) and then turn on the devices.   I have turned off all boot options apart from the Hard Disk and even leaving my USB 2.0 hub on with nothing else connected to it caused it.   So until there is a BIOS fix I use that work around.   Don't know if it's the same problem but it seems the most likely suspect.

CJofVP · Answer

Under Legacy Hardware, in USB Devices theres two settings, one is for Emulation and the other is for Hubs.. disable emulation. Worked for me. =o)

Windows General

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