[jaxisland]

I have an XP SP3 Dell Optiplex 330 that wont boot when the usb Treo cradle is plugged in. I have 4 other USB peripherals and they all work fine through reboots. I have tried all the usb ports with the same result. I have to unplug the usb, reboot, then when windows is booted, I can plug it in. If the cradle is plugged in during reboot, the front of the Dell just flashes orange. I have to unplug the usb, unplug the power supply, plug it back in then hit the power button. This is very annoying but Im concerned about it being a symptom to another issue. The computer is only 1 month old.

[The Admiral]

It's because it thinks your Treo is bootable, but can't find a bootloader, so it freezes up. Have you tried disabling USB Boot in the BIOS? (Integrated Devices > USB Controller > No Boot). If that doesn't work, it could be power draw, given the flashing orange. Try plugging the cradle into the back ports instead of the front.

[jaxisland]

Its already in the back, but Im going to look at the BIOS setting shortly. Thanks.

[jaxisland]

Well no and no :-) The way to fix it was to remove the ac power from the cradle, then it worked fine. The old computer probably didnt have powered usb so it needed it, but now the new computer does, so having both usb and ac connected, freaks it out. anywhoo thanks for the idea.