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Thread ID: 97909 2009-03-04 00:51:00 PC won't start with USB HDD attached Miami Steve (2128) Press F1
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753123 2009-03-04 00:51:00 I recently bought a WD 640GB USB external HDD. I attached it to my PC via a Linksys 4 port USB hub and formatted the drive as one NTFS partition.

Now when I turn the PC on, it will only start with the drive unplugged from the hub. When the drive is still attached, I see a POST screen where it is searching for USB storage devices and never moving any further.

Is there a setting somewhere (BIOS?) that will stop this happening, or do I just need to keep unplugging the drive?
Miami Steve (2128)
753124 2009-03-04 01:00:00 Is there a setting somewhere (BIOS?)

Yes
Rob99 (151)
753125 2009-03-04 01:09:00 Yes

Probably my own fault for not being slightly more specific......

I had already looked through the BIOS settings and had been unable to find anything which changed the behaviour I described. BTW, the BIOS is AMI....
Miami Steve (2128)
753126 2009-03-04 01:13:00 I've seen this plenty of times - and on occasion the only fix was to get a PCI USB card (not on the motherboard).

Would you be able to take a picture of your PC screen on the BIOS boot options so we can make sure theres not some obscure setting that needs changing?
wratterus (105)
753127 2009-03-04 01:16:00 I've seen this plenty of times - and on occasion the only fix was to get a PCI USB card (not on the motherboard).

Would you be able to take a picture of your PC screen on the BIOS boot options so we can make sure theres not some obscure setting that needs changing?

PC is at home, and I am at work, but I can certainly provide further info (hopefully) this evening......
Miami Steve (2128)
753128 2009-03-04 02:43:00 I had the same problem and had to change the boot order to CD, Hard Drive then USB. USB was first boot option previously which I'd assumed was causing the problem. Have you tried that? Wheels (7227)
753129 2009-03-04 02:52:00 I had the same problem and had to change the boot order to CD, Hard Drive then USB. USB was first boot option previously which I'd assumed was causing the problem. Have you tried that?

I'd love to say "No" - but unfortunately I have tried it - it looked like the obvious fix, but made no difference.......
Miami Steve (2128)
753130 2009-03-04 02:57:00 Probably doesnt like the hub.

Not all USB devices work with one
Speedy Gonzales (78)
753131 2009-03-04 09:26:00 Just tried starting the PC with the USB drive plugged directly into a USB 2.0 port. No luck. BIOS screen detects SATA HDD's, then displays a message "Auto-detecting USB Mass Storage Devices" followed by a list of 4 devices as follows:

Device #01 : Generic IC1210 *HiSpeed*
Device #02 : Generic IC1210 *HiSpeed*
Device #03 : Generic IC1210 *HiSpeed*
Device #04 : Generic IC1210 *HiSpeed*
Device #05 :

It is at this point that it locks up. With the drive plugged into the hub, it locks up at Device #01, so I am guessing that devices #01 to #04 are the 4 ports on the hub, so it is the drive that it is taking offence to. If I plug the drive in after the PC is running, it works perfectly, so I don't believe there is any issue with the drive.

Any suggestions?
Miami Steve (2128)
753132 2009-03-04 09:39:00 Look in event viewer. Start/run, type eventvwr

Look for the entries for this, double click on it whats the event id for it?

If its still plugged in, delete the entries for it in device manager (if theyre there). Shut the PC down, unplug it, reboot, then plug it back in

What service pack is installed?
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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