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    XPS15 fails to boot with USB devices attached

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by philukgrainger, Feb 17, 2012.

  1. philukgrainger

    philukgrainger Newbie

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    Hi all

    I have this open with Dell as we speak, but I thought I'd ask here as well (as I see others have or had the same problem)

    When I try and boot my XPS15 with USB devices attached nothing happens

    The screen appears to light up but I don't even get the chance to hit F12 for the boot menu (or F2 for setup)

    So it's almost as if the bios isn't even starting!

    If I boot with the devices removed and then connect once Win 7 is active, all works as you'd expect

    On the USB chain I have a scanner, 3x HDDs, 3x iPod docks, CD/DVD RW, Webcam, a multi card reader and a three or four more hubs(!)

    I've tried with different devices removed, but no consistent pattern appears - I am starting to think it may be more the NUMBER of devices rather than any specific one (but then computers are great at throwing you red herrings!)

    I've checked the bios boot order and the internal HDD is second (the default position). I tried moving it to first, but that didn't help

    Any suggestions gratefully received

    Thanks

    Phil G
     
    philukgrainger, Feb 17, 2012
    #1
  2. toronto

    toronto Notebook Deity

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    I get a similar non-boot situation if I try to boot while a non-bootable USB drive is attached. I presumed it is because I have Removeable Drive and USB as higher boot priority in the BIOS than Internal HDD.

    If I boot with a bootable USB device attached, it will boot from that USB drive. However, if a non-bootable USB drive is attached, I assume that the system gets confused as it cannot find boot files on the USB. I would have expected the system to then gracefully move along to the next boot device in the BIOS priority, and boot from the Internal HDD. Perhaps this BIOS doesn't gracefully make that transition.
     
    toronto, Feb 17, 2012
    #2
  3. philukgrainger

    philukgrainger Newbie

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    So far as I can see from my bios settings my internal HDD is higher up the list than "USB" - I'd also expect to see the boot menu if I hold F12 down whilst it's (not) booting

    Most odd
     
    philukgrainger, Feb 17, 2012
    #3
  4. rabbitz

    rabbitz Notebook Consultant

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    I have had this problem with every single laptop I have ever owned regardless of boot settings.
     
    rabbitz, Feb 17, 2012
    #4
  5. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are the USB ports 3.0? This happens frequently on ThinkPads so it isn't just Dell.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Feb 17, 2012
    #5
  6. cri-cri

    cri-cri Notebook Consultant

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    OP,

    Disable [USB Emulation] in BIOS.
     
    cri-cri, Feb 17, 2012
    #6