Hi Iplant--
I don't know that the external HD *should slow down shutdown and startup,
but I understand for you it seems to.
Of all the sites and steps I've collected including AUMHA's and the MSKB on
this, far and away the one that has stood out that should help you with XP
and Vista is this one so I'll pass it on:
Also prior to doing the steps try this:
Type devmgmt.msc in the run box (Win Key +R) and Scroll down to bottom entry
USB Controller. Click the plus to expand it. For every single USB Root Hub
entry do this:
Rt. click it>Properties>Power Management>take checkmark out of "allow the
computer to turn off this device to save power"--it's not going to impact
your overall configuration/choice of a power scheme for yur box.
Then do every one of these steps:
Troubleshooting Windows Shutdown Problems
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/art...-Shutdown.html
For completeness' sake I enclose the MSKB which I have found totally
worthless for correctign shutdown delays. (Many of them are caused because
Windows is trying to start in the background).
FIX: The shutdown procedure takes a long time to complete
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822738
Good luck,
CH
"Iplant" <Iplant@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BCB1EF2D-DA9F-4B64-9E87-8131CB68DE04@microsoft.com...
> the slowest thing about my Vista installation is the fact that whenever I
> have my external hard drive (My Book) plugged in; Vista takes a bit of
> time
> to shut down or power up. This never happened when I was running XP. Is
> there something I need to tweak to enable a normal or close to normal
> startup
> and shutdown when I have the external drive plugged in?
>
>
> --
> always learning