USB device controlling bootup

[MDJ52]

I am working on a Dell computer with a strange boot problem. This device is running XP Home.
The user just installed a HP Photosmart C5180 All-in-One, that connects through the USB port.
At boot up the screen stays black with a small blinking dash in the upper left corner.
If I turn off the new HP5180 the system boots immediately.
If the HP5180 is powered up at boot time, I get the blinking dash.
I have told him just leave it turned off until you need it and definitely do no have it on at boot time. This works and the system recognizes the HP even after you turn it on after boot time.
The problem is just an extra step, an annoyance.

Any thoughts?

 

[felixc]

The BIOS may be fooled by the ID of this new device. Is there any way to reflash the BIOS of the Dell with the latest version?

 

[CorruptedLogic]

Is the BIOS set to boot from a USB device first, rather than the Hard drive? I've seen something similar in the past (although not with a printer). I'm guessing that the printer has one of them there memory stick slots in it..which Windows interprets as a drive? Maybe it's seeing the first USB drive as a primary boot device.

CCNA, CCDP, Net+, A+
Work Smarter, Not Harder....
This was supposed to be the future.....Where is my JetPack?!

 

[MDJ52]

Looking at the BIOS through system setup shows that the harddisk is first. 2nd on the list is a USB device. If the scanner is turned off, the setup shows that the USB device is not connected.

 

[stduc]

Any options in the BIOS to disable searching for other boot devices?

I have been known to be wrong.

 

[MDJ52]

All I can do is display the 2 boot paths on the CMOS. I tried to highlight the USB and delete it, but it would not let me.
My plan is to check some other web sites for possibly flashing the CMOS.
In the meantime, the user says it is no big deal to have the printer turned off at bootup time, as long as he is aware that this is what was causing the problem.

 

[dglienna]

It can be disabled in most DELL's. You might need to flash the BIOS on an old machine, though. I had a client with the same problem, and that solved it. Otherwise, call DELL.

-David
2006 Microsoft Most Valueable Professional (MVP)
2006 Dell Certified System Professional (CSP)

 

[35Pete]

1. Upgrade your BIOS. If you don't know what you are doing then ask first!
2. Disable all boot devices except hard drive (1st) and optical drive (2nd).