When I plug in USB devices, computer will freeze

cctaylor88

Senior member
Nov 2, 2012
214
1
76
Just about 90% of the time when I plug in a USB device (external HD, ipod, etc) my computer will just lock up...can't move mouse, can't even control alt delete...nothing so of course I'm forced to reboot.

I haven't found many solutions except the one Linked Here. So I make the notepad dialog and add it to the registry, but then the second step is to "Unplug ALL usb devices" and proceed to Device Manager to "Uninstall all devices under USB controllers" well both my mouse and keyboard are USB devices, so obviously if I unplug them nothing works, so I just attempt to uninstall what I can and of course eventually it uninstalls the drivers for my mouse and keyboard therefore rendering them useless... I have no idea what to do but this is extremely annoying and I refuse to accept it. I have the latest BIOS on my motherboard

Mobo: Asus M4A87TD/USB 3
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
12GB Ram
All "important updates" are installed (windows update) but I know this isn't the problem because I had about 25 to install for months now and never had these USB errors.

Obviously I'd like to avoid doing a clean install of my OS but if that's what I have to do Ill do it.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,318
682
126
My work pc does this when I plug my cell phone in to charge. It has to do with the power draw in my case but I would say it's motherboard related.
 

sm625

Diamond Member
May 6, 2011
8,172
137
106
Go to Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\AutoPlay. Uncheck Use Autoplay for all devices and Click Save. Test with a generic usb thumb drive.
 

Bubbaleone

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2011
1,803
4
76
Just about 90% of the time when I plug in a USB device (external HD, ipod, etc) my computer will just lock up......"Unplug ALL usb devices" and proceed to Device Manager to "Uninstall all devices under USB controllers" well both my mouse and keyboard are USB devices, so obviously if I unplug them nothing works, so I just attempt to uninstall what I can and of course eventually it uninstalls the drivers for my mouse and keyboard therefore rendering them useless......

Your board has PS/2 ports for both keyboard and mouse. Connect a PS/2 mouse while the PC is powered off, disconnect all peripheral USB devices, then boot the PC and use the PS/2 mouse to uninstall every USB device listed in Device Manager. When finished uninstalling; reboot and Windows will detect and reinstall all USB devices. This is a well accepted best practice for restoring corrupt USB settings/drivers. If your board has manufacturer specific USB drivers; reinstall those after Windows has finished installing the native USB drivers.