Chimpy Chompy on 29/3/2010 at 16:18
So this tale of woe comes from me attempting to flash my bios. My mobo is an MSI k9a platinum and I tried using their own liveupdate tool (that runs within windows).The flashing seemed to go more or less okay, except afterward attaching any USB storage device caused windows to lockup. Or if I'm lucky, the device just isn't recognised.
I had a look around their forums and it seems the tech-heads recommend some homebrew tool they've come up with, instead of MSI's tool. It's something you put on a usb flash stack that you boot from. (fortunately it seems my system can still read the stick at the booting stage)
This also went okay, except, the problem is still there. Plug in a usb storage device (stick, external hard disk, ipod) whilst windows is running and... it all hangs up. If I try booting with the hard disk attached there are no errors but it seems to pause on a blank screen until the disk is removed).
Some other tech specs:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+
Connect3D ATI Radeon X1900 XT 256MB
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2
Windows 7
Reinstalling windows hasn't helped. I had a look at the chipset drivers on MSI's site allthough I'm not convinced they're doing any better than whatever comes bundled with Win7 itself.
I've tried loading both failsafe defaults and optimum defaults in the bios - no joy.
Not sure if USB control devices have the same effect as my keyboard and mouse are both ps/2. Will maybe try digging out a gamepad.
any ideas?
Hit Deity on 5/4/2010 at 18:19
I know I won't buy MSI motherboards anymore. I've learned my lesson. Had one completely die on me, the other has random audio problems and the Northbridge fan died on it. All attempts at contacting MSI were dismal failures.
I wish I could help with your problem. I too had USB problems that came and went with Microsoft Live Updates. Fortunately, at the moment, my USB ports are working. If it were me, I'd try reinstalling motherboard drivers. I think it helped me on one of the go-'rounds I had with that POS. Other than that, I don't know. Good luck getting anything out of MSI. I think they subscribe to the philosophy that "once you've bought it, it's yours -- now, don't bug us again!"
Brian The Dog on 5/4/2010 at 20:38
Yeah, my first PC was an MSI socket A thing that worked fine for a few years until after a few failed BIOS upgrades, the CPU fan clamps snapped clean off the motherboard, leading to an overheated CPU :eek: Personally I always go for Asus motherboards, as they're good build quality, good drivers, and you can flash the BIOS from a dedicated program inside the BIOS, thus completely bypassing Windows.
I realise this doesn't help you much though! As Hit Deity said, try re-installing the original motherboard BIOS from Windows, and if that doesn't work, I think MSI have something to let you update the BIOS from a DOS prompt - so try sticking the BIOS file and DOS updater program on a floppy or a CD or something and have a go from a FreeDOS boot CD. Good luck! If you get it to work you've had more luck than I ever did :(
Chimpy Chompy on 10/4/2010 at 13:12
Well as it happens I solved this problem the lazy way by bringing my 3-4yearly system upgrade ahead of schedule.
Thanks anyway guys.
