I had similar trouble with Windows98 when installing software for HP OfficeJet 6110. The HP software had added a program in the startup folder that was causing the conflict. It was called "HP Instant Support" or something like that. I removed that from startup and the problem was resolved.

No kidding - really your on to something because i 'had' and HP PSC1210 and it exhibited the EXACT same issue. Once my systems were up (i have 3 and all 3 have different chipsets/drivers), and i got the HP USB driver searching lag REALLY bad on all 3 systems unless i temorarily turned off the 1210 power then all 3 systems would be fine (no lag), then i could tun it in again and everything was ok. It did seem to help to do msconfig and take the 2 HP startup entries out of statup - then it didn't freeze 'as' often on my comp or windows explorer, but ... the 1210 actually went kaput just last week and i bought this gem of a basic printer (for a cheap AIW)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16828106311


and as you can read in the newegg review i wrote it has outperformed the HP 5 fold in every area pratically, really good for a cheap AIW PSC device. No lag. No 3 minutes up the priting arm constantly "resetting" for no apparent reason at times. Push the on button and you hear one 1 second swing on the print arm and it's ready, and zero USB/driver loading lag.

I'm a new member. I'm WIN XP ADM Certified! After reading your problem. It seems like your cache is "Full". Trying cleaning it out. If it continues clean your Internet Temp folder. Good Luck!

Wally

I started haveing this trouble on my gateway laptop after I updated my CD/DVD driver. AFter the update, my computer would act like there was a CD in the driver. I have not had the chance to install the original driver yet, so can't tell you if that's the fix.