USB freezes system

[Guest]

My system freezes every time I plug in anyting (mouse, flash drive or camera)
to the rear USB ports. The two USB ports are onboard so wiring problem is
unlikely an issue. I have windows xp pro sp2 and updates. I also reinstall
Intel chipset latest software and reinstall the drivers at device manager.
If I plug in the device first before booting the system, any device will work
fine. If the device is plugged in when system is running, it freezes and
cannot be rebooted by ctrl alt del. I am not comfortable to upgrade the
BIOS. What else I can check.

 

[Rich Barry]

Have you looked at this MS Article
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310575&Product=winxp

It could be hardware related such as flaky USB controller on
Motherboard or Power Supply.
A USB PCI Card could be a possiblity. That would bypass the onboard
USB controller.