Member Avatar for bigpapaj

i have a 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub that i use to network printers and for some reason when i boot my computer up it freezes before loading the windows splash page and will remain frozen until i remove the usb cord then windows all the sudden continues to boot up and works like it should.
I can then plug the usb back in and use the hub. what would cause something like this? i have never had the problem before this just started 2 days ago. i have windows xp with service pack 2. please help me!!!!

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Dani AI

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Short expert summary: this kind of cold‑boot hang with a multiport USB hub is almost always a hardware/enumeration problem rather than an XP “mystery.” Several replies here (for example from , and ) point at BIOS/connection issues, which is useful context. Below are concise, practical diagnostics and fixes that go beyond the suggestions already posted and will help identify the exact cause and a safe long‑term remedy.

Why it happens (brief): during POST and early Windows boot the host USB controller enumerates every device on VBUS. A faulty peripheral, a marginal power supply, or a hub that backfeeds or reports bad descriptors can stall enumeration and make the machine appear frozen even before the GUI loads.

Actionable checklist (do these in order):

  • Create a boot log (F8 at startup → Enable boot logging) and inspect C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt for the last driver loaded; that shows where the boot stopped.
  • Remove every device from the hub, reboot with the empty hub attached, then add devices one at a time to find the offender.
  • Try the hub and its power brick on another computer. If the other PC hangs, the hub or adapter is likely bad.
  • Replace the hub’s adapter with a known‑good one of the same rating, or power the hub from a different supply to rule out voltage sag or backfeed.
  • Update the motherboard chipset/USB controller drivers from the board vendor (different from a BIOS update).
  • Check Event Viewer (System log) for Plug and Play or usbhub entries around the time of the freeze. Use a USB device viewer tool to inspect previously attached device IDs if needed.

If a single device triggers the hang, replace or connect it directly to a host port. If the hub itself triggers the hang on multiple systems, retire it or get an OEM replacement — persistent backfeed or bad hub electronics are common failure modes.

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for hughv

Is this a powered hub? How many devices are attached?
Your computer may be looking for devices that were attached previously and are now missing. Delete any such devices.
With the computer running, and the USB hub working, delete all the USB entries in device manager and reboot to force a reinstall of the drivers.

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

known issue. bios update might fix it on several types on MB.

Member Avatar for caperjack

if it is a powered hub ,just unplug the power supply from it ,and try reboot and see what happens ,i had to take power off mine all together, because my computer would not completely shut down when hub was plugged into power .

Member Avatar for bigpapaj

it is a powered hub and all 7 ports are in use i also updated the bios and i am still having the same problems

Member Avatar for JustFiona

I had the exact same problem and found that one of the power cords on one device plugged into the hub was a little loose. It was supplying power, but not inserted properly. I'd check all devices. You never know!

Member Avatar for somwang

i have a 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub that i use to network printers and for some reason when i boot my computer up it freezes before loading the windows splash page and will remain frozen until i remove the usb cord then windows all the sudden continues to boot up and works like it should.
I can then plug the usb back in and use the hub. what would cause something like this? i have never had the problem before this just started 2 days ago. i have windows xp with service pack 2. please help me!!!!

umm i used to face this problem, but im not sure this can help you or not?
go to bios and disable option name like booting up from usb

Member Avatar for heartky

I've had the same problem. Kensington 7 port powered hub.
Only cure was to remove hub. Have not replaced it yet and computer works normally. Has anybody else had a USB port problem of this type?

Member Avatar for heartky

What do you mean "known issue". I've scoured the net tech sites and haven't seen this answered clearly. Please let us known where this is "known".

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

What do you mean "known issue". I've scoured the net tech sites and haven't seen this answered clearly. Please let us known where this is "known".

this is known to be an issue with older motherboards. they just would not POST with a USB device attached. a bios update might fix it, as I have mentioned.

I am not going to waste my time googling for this, especially since I've been through this problem before and know the answer. whether to trust me or not is absolutely up to you.

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

dblpost

Member Avatar for bluscape

I had the same problem for many years on several different mother boards.

Problem:
XP freeze on starup with USB hub connected

I resolved the problem for the first time a few days ago. I made 2 changes to my system and is not sure which one of the 2 it was since I only tested after applying both changes.

1.) Updated my BIOS
2.) In the BIOS menu setting "Resume on USB" or something. Enabled this.

I believe the solution was enabling the "Resume on USB" setting.

Please let me know if this solved your problem.

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