PCI SATA Card vs USB Devices

Hello Everyone!

I have a bit of a puzzle here; my PCI SATA card is failing to start on my HTPC. Under device manager I get the yellow exclamation point and the message, under properties, "This device cannot start. (Code 10)". Now, the device has been working fine up until a few days ago and nothing new has been added (other than the normal Windows Updates). The strange thing is that the card works perfectly fine, and thus the drives, when all USB devices are disconnected. I even tried plugging in my wireless keyboard, in another USB slot, after a shutdown of a successful USB-less reboot and everything worked fine after Windows booted up (Windows had to re-install the device as it discovered it as new). After another cycle of re-bootng the PCI SATA card is back to its failing (I suppose since the keyboard is now "known").

Another notable symptom: the Windows XP boot screen "progress bar" is displayed for much longer when the USB devices are pugged in and has been very accurately predictive of the PCI SATA card failing. Boot times can be up to a couple of minutes! Normal boot is under 30 seconds.

BTW, all adware, spyware and virus scanners come back as negative.

Anyone have any suggestions here?

Pertinent HTPC specs:
Intel Pentium 4 650 3.4Ghz (Prescott)
Motherboard: ASUS P5AD2-E Deluxe
PCI Card: Creative I/O, PCI SATA & Ultra ATA RAID Controller Card
Input: ADESSO 2.4GHz RF Wireless Mini Trackball Keyboard, WKB-3000UB
OS: Windows XP Media Center 2005

 

Hi Sub,

I have an XP machine that has a similar problem. USB updates will probably take care of it if I ever find time. This one will find a 6-in-1 or 15-in-1 card reader but will not find it on reboot. Keeps complaining about the driver already being in use and can't load another. May also happen with other USB devices. It only happens if an external USB hard drive is already plugged in. In Device Manager I find two USB drivers, one with the Exclamation mark. Maybe this will help a little.

Good Luck, Jim