Computer won't bootup without external usb drive attached

[David]

I used an external usb drive to install some programs including MS Office
2003 on a windows xp sp2 machine. If I remove the drive properly, then shut
down, when I bootup the computer will hang right before the login
screen....I will have to reboot in safe mode to get in - but if I attach the
usb drive before starting the machine, it will boot into windows fine. This
is on a network. I've tried reinstalling office from a network drive but it
changed nothing. any suggestions?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I used an external usb drive to install some programs including MS
Office 2003 on a windows xp sp2 machine. If I remove the drive
properly, then shut down, when I bootup the computer will hang right
before the login screen....I will have to reboot in safe mode to get
in - but if I attach the usb drive before starting the machine, it
will boot into windows fine. This is on a network. I've tried
reinstalling office from a network drive but it changed nothing. any
suggestions?

I presume you've checked your event logs & they contain nothing useful....

Long shot, but try downloading/running the Windows Installer Cleanup thing &
remove MSOffice & the other new apps from the list entirely.

 

[David]

The logs showed nothing.

I removed office and the problem remained so I did a repair on XP and it
fixed the problem - reinstalled office - trying to do updates but the
Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 won't install.....so issues continue.
Thanks.



"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm betting it works.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"