Is Your Boot Error a USB Problem?

Are you experiencing a problem in the computer boot sequence? The USB problem could be a simple settings issue. Installing a USB device whether it be a printer or a wireless adapter can cause your computer to hang while booting.

Dell computers can hang on what looks like a DOS screen and reference a USBd error, other systems may not get past the manufacturers logo.

If the problem goes away when you remove your device one troubleshooting step is to review your computers boot sequence.

As the computer starts it will follow a specific order attempting to find the operating system. The boot sequence is typically:

1) CD Drive

2) Hard Drive

If USB is included in that process before the hard drive the USB device could create a pause in the process.

To review your specific computer setting remove the offending device and reboot. Press F2 to enter BIOS Setup when prompted. Review the settings carefully, the navigation is keyboard only, but pretty simple with directions located at the bottom of the screen.

In the screenshot above you see that we are in the boot section as highlighted on the top bar. You can see that this set up provides for setting the boot order for four devices. Here the "First Boot device" is set to removeable devices, this could be your USB device. While your needs may vary typically the order should be:

CD Drive
Hard Drive