Updated xp to sp3 and now USB drives causing failure to boot

[KasandraR]

I recently updated my HP Media Center PC HP Pavillion a1250n XP to SP3 and afterwards I froze at the blue windows screen.  I could boot under safe mode and went online and tried everything I could find, finally I saw that I should disconnect my USB devices so I did that and the computer now boots but as soon as I plug my external drives in it would not boot again.  I read where disabling legacy USB support might solve the problem so I did that and now it will boot with my WD drive in the adaptec case attached but it will not boot with my 500 gig external book drive hooked up.  Also, because I have USB keyboard and mouse neither of these is recognized during boot up with legacy USB disabled.  This is a problem.

I've been working on this issue for a week and would seriously appreciate help.  I've done everything but upgrade the motherboard that I can find suggested. I'm nervous to do that because I lost a motherboard once trying to update the bios.

[c0rnel]

1) Unplugg all external devices.

2) Go back into the BIOS and rest the BIOS to defaults.

3) Go into Safe Mode (F8 at boot) and login and go to System Restore to Restore the pc to 1 day before you installed XP SP3.

If you still want to get xp sp3 and you have an amd processor (cpu) then download and install this hotfix first then reboot the pc then you can instal sp3.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&softwareitem=pv-60484-2&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

[KasandraR]

Thank you for your response but I know how to uninstall SP3, I wish to make it functional not uninstall it.  Also, the fix you sent me to regards the AMD processor problem and constant rebooting which I do not have.  I do appreciate the time you took to offer the advise but if there is an actual fix that would be much appreciated.

[frprinterwiz]

It sounds more like you have a power issue with the USB devices attached and it's freezing because the power supply can't supply what is being asked of it.  Two solutions:

1. get a powered USB hub to attach your computer and plug your USB devices in there.

2. if you have a small (under 300W) power supply, try upgrading although this may not be the issue if it's a question of the power being supplied to the individual USB ports - you can check the power requirements for the USB hubs in the device manager (with your devices attached) to see if any of them are pushing the 500 limit.

Of course, I could be way off base as well.

Good luck!

[KasandraR]

I got it fixed. What I had to do was go into my networks to my network connections and disablthe 1394 network connection. Then restarted with my bookdrive turned on and windows booted up fine.  I then went back and set my 'legacy USB support" at the F1 screen back to auto, saved and rebooted and it's working fine.  I don't know what effect turning off my 1394 will have but if I need it I can always turn it on and off while at the desktop.  Much easier and safer than turning my external drives on and off.

[KasandraR]

I don't remember what the size of the power supply is but I know I upgraded it when I bought the Pavillion because I always think they short you on power and because I always buy a good video card as well because I've been known to game.  None the less, I like this answer and I often blame issues on the power supply (it's where the brownies live   ) and so, I might get a powered hub anyway because it sounds like a good idea all on it's own.   Thanks!

Could that be why turning off the 1394 works?  Does it cut down on the power called?  Hmmm 

[frprinterwiz]

I was wondering that too when I saw what your fix was.  I wonder if the firewire and USB are integrated and therefore share the power source.  Used to see the failure to boot issue on Dell laptops when a USB printer was plugged in, and the fix was always a powered USB hub so that's what made me think of it for your situation.