# Computer issue - Anything plugged in USB locks up computer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 26, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131 "2008-01-26T22:35:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131/1 "2008-01-26T22:35:18Z")

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Anytime something is plugged into a USB port my computer locks up and has to completely shut down and restarted. What could be going on?

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**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131/2 "2008-01-27T01:27:37Z")

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I would start will a full spyware scan, followed by eliminating any unnecessary programs which run at startup…

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**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131/3 "2008-01-27T02:12:44Z")

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Is this a recent development? What USB equipment are you using? Have you a powered/unpowered hub?

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**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131/4 "2008-01-27T12:22:48Z")

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Could be a corrupted driver or similar. Check the Event Logs and see if they have captured anything.

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131/5 "2008-01-27T14:02:38Z")

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You didn’t mention the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard, but you could also try flashing the BIOS with the newest version from their website.

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**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-issue-anything-plugged-in-usb-locks-up-computer/435131/6 "2008-01-27T21:18:22Z")

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I have a similar problem that just started with my Sony Vaio Picturebook C1VP. Unfortunately I suspect something is wrong with the USB hardware on the motherboard, because now I constantly get “Power Surge on Root Hub” messages in the tray and have to reset the USB hub, even though there’s only one USB port and a MemoryStick reader hooked up to the USB, and neither has anything in it.