USB Adapter Freezes Computer at POST

Howdy Folks... :emotion-1: New guy on this forum, but very active on other tech forums.

Following is a paste using a system info utility from one of those forums:

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.1
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-58, x86 Family 15 Model 104 Stepping 1
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 1917 Mb
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon Xpress 1150, 256 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 50006 MB, Free - 33792 MB; E: Total - 15178 MB, Free - 6271 MB; G: Total - 49285 MB, Free - 14287 MB;
Motherboard: Dell Inc., 0UW744,    , .DWD23F1.CN486437B80061.
Antivirus: Microsoft Security Essentials, Updated: Yes, On-Demand Scanner: Enabled

Problem:

Purchased an Apricorn DriveWire USB Adapter (Click this link to view the web product http://www.apricorn.com/products/notebook-hard-drive-upgrade-kits/drivewire-ide-pata-sata-to-usb-hdd-adapter.html )

Its basically a universal adapter that allows connection to just about any type of hard drive (SATA, PATA, SSD). It works as advertised with an old WD 3.5" 120GB PATA HDD, but has a problem with a new 2.5" WD 320GB HDD. When the adapter is connected to the laptop when booted, the machine freezes at the POST screen (I have the diagnostics screen enabled in BIOS). It freezes immediately after detecting the internal drive. The only way out of the freeze I've been able to determine is to shut the computer down with the power switch.

As best as I have been able to determine so far, this is a problem unique to my Dell 1501 laptop.

Steps taken to date:

1) Flashed to the latest version of BIOS

2) Connecting after windows has loaded, results in normal access and operation of the SATA HDD.

3) Connected to a different computer (Compaq desktop) which booted normally with the DriveWire Adapter/SATA HDD.

4) Ran WD Diagnostics program and noted 2 anomalies. The 320GB SATA drive appears as a 40GB drive, no S/N nor SMART data available. See the attached screen shot

Appreciate any help or questions... Raybro