> Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

#1 2022-01-14 16:08:51

I have a couple of new-ish 2TB USB hard drives that I normally have plugged into USB3 ports. In the beginning, I don't think they interfered with a restart, say after a Windows update. Then at some point the computer wouldn't restart. It wouldn't reboot after sorta shutting down. I'd have to hold the on button until it went quiet, then push the on button to reboot the computer.

So, finally I thought I remembered vaguely reading something about USB peripherals interfering with a restart. I unplugged the external hard drives a week ago. I just had an overnight Windows update and clicked "Update and restart" this morning. The computer restarted normally the way it used to.

Is the culprit probably these USB hard drives?

(I also recently learned about the settings that obviate the need to eject USB hard drives. Just unplug them without ejecting. I only learned about that after trying over and over to eject them without success. Found out they don't need to be ejected. I am not computer correctness.)

potd

#2 2022-01-14 18:12:26

Apparently you have answered your own question.

#3 2022-01-14 18:46:44

Removing USB drives without ejecting risks loss of data. Instead of doing that, you should find out what is using the drive and close the process. At the very least, close any application that is using files on the drive before you pull it.

#4 2022-01-14 18:49:58

As a computer professional, I recommend putting your usb devices on the rail of a busy freight line and waiting for a few Amtraks.

trev

#5 2022-01-14 20:26:23

The firmware of consumer USB stuff is pretty shytty, and prone to memory leaks due to heat and cheap memory and poor shielding.

Dismount and cycle the power of that stuff. While your computer restarts. Switching it back on once you're finished logging in.

I bought USB hubs with power switches for each port. I keep stuff turned off, saves power, less wear and tear.

be careful you don't have ransomware running on your machine at a low level silently encrypting your drives, right up until it locks you out and demands money. That's the kind of process that resists 'letting go' of a mounted drive, preventing dismount.

#6 2022-01-14 20:58:10

Each USB device uses a little bit of power. It's also possible you are either overloading your power supply or your power supply is failing. But this is not likely if your computer is under three years old.

USB devices are kind of voodoo though and it is actually possible that they can interfere with booting. For starters in the BIOS (or equivalent) there is often a setting to boot from a USB device. IT is possible you have that setting activated and/or your boot order is wrong. Ir's also possible one of the USB devices is failing.

> Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

Re: Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

Re: Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

Re: Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

Re: Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?

Re: Computertards: Will USB peripherals sometimes interfere with a normal restart?