PC will no longer boot into windows when external HDDs are attached via USB??

[Keltik THC]

I have always left my external USB hard drives connected to my PC, I never disconnect them.

But now, when my PC boots up when the 'Starting Windows' splash screen should appear i simply get a black screen with a '_' flashing in the top left corner.

I wait 20 minutes and nothing happens, i reboot, unplug my two external HDDs and it boots up fine no problems.

I thought this might of been a one off but it has been doing it constantly for the past couple of days.

I haven't changed any settings aside from the usual 'Windows Tuesday' updates.

Anyone have any ideas?

Getting frustrated that my PC just randomly changes, the other day my USB keyboards stopped working in the BIOS, i have enabled 'legacy USB' and have it enabled in the BIOS but only PS2 KBs work now!

Im just getting a bit frustrated, i would expect these sorts of issues if i was playing about the settings on my computer, but i haven't!

 

[Keltik THC]

wow, looking on other forums this seems quite a common occurence... im suprised that not a single person on OCuk has ventured a guess as to what the problem is.

 

[Mel_P]

With Windows XP I have had this "boot" problem (generally taking a long time) for ages - it followed one sevice pack update (can't remember which one) but it is resolved by unplugging offending USB device and plugging back in after re-boot - some update to VIA drivers I suspect! I did post ages ago - probably in "archives" by now.