External hard drive problem

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baza66 - 30 Oct 2007 09:35 GMT

I am running Vista home prem(32-bit),when it's on i can connect , by usb a
freecom external drive.It is recognised and i can use it with out any
problems.But if i was to restart the machine after a software install, the
machine freezes during the reboot.If i disconnect the hard drive and switch
off the machine,then restart it , it works fine going to the welcome
screen.The same problem occurs when i have a printer connected by usb(works
fine when connected after the welcome screen).
I've checked the drivers for both devices and i've been told my external
hard drive & printer wouldn't work as they do if they weren't installed
properly.Is this a problem with vista or have i done something thats causing
this to happen.It's getting to be a pain having to disconnect the ext hd &
printer every time i have to reboot the machine,anybody help

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Richard G. Harper - 30 Oct 2007 11:25 GMT

It may be a compatibility (hardware) problem, not a Vista problem at all. I
have one particular USB flash drive that, if it's plugged in, the computer
freezes up and won't boot up or restart. If I remove it, no problem. It's
just the one drive, so I've learned not to leave it plugged in.

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>I am running Vista home prem(32-bit),when it's on i can connect , by usb a
> freecom external drive.It is recognised and i can use it with out any
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> this to happen.It's getting to be a pain having to disconnect the ext hd &
> printer every time i have to reboot the machine,anybody help

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baza66 - 30 Oct 2007 13:57 GMT

Surely "learning not to leave it plugged in" skirts round the issue i'm
having.After the welcome screen , the Hard Drive and the printer both work
properly when connected via usb.I ran xp with them connected before and
never had a problem with the machine,i've upgraded the drivers.If it works ok
when Vista is running,but freezing during reboots and starts(does not freeze
when rebooting or starting with XP) does this suggest there is something
missing from the Vista programming that causes the machine to freeze.I
thought if it was a compatibilty issue the external hard drive wouldn't open
up or be recognised , i can view photo's that i stored and play music as
well ,the same can be said about the printer it is recognised as well

> It may be a compatibility (hardware) problem, not a Vista problem at all. I
> have one particular USB flash drive that, if it's plugged in, the computer
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > this to happen.It's getting to be a pain having to disconnect the ext hd &
> > printer every time i have to reboot the machine,anybody help

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Tom Ferguson - 30 Oct 2007 17:58 GMT

I have three boxes running Vista and none will boot when there is a USB
drive first plugged in. I have to enter the BIOS setup during boot and
change the boot device order to either remove the USB drive from the
sequence or put it after the HD, the desired boot device. After that
adjustment is saved, the machines will boot correctly until the next time
the drive is inserted. Removing it causes no problems.

On the other hand, my notebook will boot correctly whether a USB device
is inserted or not.

So, no guarantee that is your issue but perhaps worth checking.

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

>I am running Vista home prem(32-bit),when it's on i can connect , by usb
>a
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> hd &
> printer every time i have to reboot the machine,anybody help

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