USB & XP startup

[PanHandler]

Win XP Pro, SP2, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB 'C' , & 1 TB 'D' SATA HDD's, fully
updated. Will not boot with SD card in built-in USB reader. Shut down,
remove card, normal boot. I've experienced this before on other computers,
but never worried about it as it's simple to correct, but now I'm curious -
what's the cause? Also, if the computer is shut down with the card inserted,
or an external USB HDD connected does windows 'expect' to 'see' the device
again on next boot, and if not present fail to boot? Inquiring mind wants to
know!
TIA

 

[Andrew E.]

You might check the BIOS after the installation,like installing a new hd,the
BIOS on most machines will set the new hd as 1st boot priority,maybe its
resetting something with the card....

 

[R. McCarty]

Congratulations - You almost achieved a post with nearly complete
sentences. Technically your answer is close, The BIOS settings are
likely the cause - but more of a "Boot to USB", instead of automatic
re-ordering of drives. ( Which some BIOS' do implement, and is an
aggravation ).

 

[PanHandler]

Congratulations - You almost achieved a post with nearly complete
sentences.

Hell, I hadn't even had my first coffa cuppee. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

Win XP Pro, SP2, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB 'C' , & 1 TB 'D' SATA HDD's, fully

updated. Will not boot with SD card in built-in USB reader. Shut down,
remove card, normal boot. I've experienced this before on other computers,
but never worried about it as it's simple to correct, but now I'm curious -
what's the cause? Also, if the computer is shut down with the card inserted,
or an external USB HDD connected does windows 'expect' to 'see' the device
again on next boot, and if not present fail to boot? Inquiring mind wants to
know!
TIA

No SP3 yet? If you have an Intel-based system, have you installed the
Intel chipset software installation utility drivers yet?

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[M.I.5¾]

Win XP Pro, SP2, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB 'C' , & 1 TB 'D' SATA HDD's, fully
updated. Will not boot with SD card in built-in USB reader. Shut down,
remove card, normal boot. I've experienced this before on other computers,
but never worried about it as it's simple to correct, but now I'm
curious - what's the cause? Also, if the computer is shut down with the
card inserted, or an external USB HDD connected does windows 'expect' to
'see' the device again on next boot, and if not present fail to boot?
Inquiring mind wants to know!

This is a known issue with Windows XP. Some installations (but not all)
will not boot if a USB (or firewire) mass storage device is connected. The
exact mechanism is not clear, but the perception is that the BIOS is trying
to boot from the USB device and sulking when it can't find a master boot
record. However, the flaw with this theory is that the problem can be made
to disappear when an older version of windows (or even a different operating
system altogether) is used.

 

[PanHandler]

No SP3 yet? If you have an Intel-based system, have you installed the
Intel chipset software installation utility drivers yet?

Except for this little issue, the machine has been running perfectly for
three years with SP2. It's not because of the lack of SP3 that it's doing
this, and it's not really a problem anyway. I've jumped thru the hoops in
device manager on drivers - no change. WWBWB I guess.

 

[PanHandler]

This is a known issue with Windows XP. Some installations (but not all)
will not boot if a USB (or firewire) mass storage device is connected.
The exact mechanism is not clear, but the perception is that the BIOS is
trying to boot from the USB device and sulking when it can't find a master
boot record. However, the flaw with this theory is that the problem can
be made to disappear when an older version of windows (or even a different
operating system altogether) is used.

That's my conclusion after Googling myself to death too. BTW - I've gone
thru the BIOS settings thoroughly to no avail. Guess I'll just leave well
enough alone.

 

[M.I.5¾]

That's my conclusion after Googling myself to death too. BTW - I've gone
thru the BIOS settings thoroughly to no avail. Guess I'll just leave well
enough alone.

The only workaround that I am aware of is to ensure that the device
concerned is not connected (or switched off) when you boot the PC. As soon
as the Windows startup screen (the one with the blue progress bar near the
bottom) appears, the device can be connected or switched on.

 

[Jim Dell]

The only workaround that I am aware of is to ensure that the device
concerned is not connected (or switched off) when you boot the PC. As soon
as the Windows startup screen (the one with the blue progress bar near the
bottom) appears, the device can be connected or switched on.

Do you have the most current version of BIOS for the PC?

Until the PC starts with the normal Windows stuff it's still in the bios.

What is the boot sequence set at in your BIOS?

Jim

 

[PanHandler]

Do you have the most current version of BIOS for the PC?

Yes, I checked for updates about three months ago. This was never
encountered until recently when I added several photos to an SD card and
inadvertantly left the card in the reader, and booted the next morning. The
card's been since removed and all is normal again. Strangely, there are
several other USB devices (HDD's, two self-powered hubs, one with Bluetooth
mouse and KB, etc., always connected) and never problematic.

Until the PC starts with the normal Windows stuff it's still in the bios.
Understood.

What is the boot sequence set at in your BIOS?

CD ROM > C drive only. CD first as a personal preference and it only adds a
few milliseconds to be detected as empty.

Thanks for your interest,
Joe Arnold