USB connection causing sporadic crashes

[Serioli]

As the title says, my computer is randomly crashing (requiring hard reset) when certain things are connected to USB ports.
Things that seem to do it are those with a lot of data transfer (E.g. ipods music players) although small data transfer is okay (I have a USB mouse and keyboard and have never had a problem with the printer).

It seems to be exacerbated when the processor is used, e.g. everything fine, music player is behaving itself but crash when I start BOINC or put a DVD in.

I have noticed the problem lately as I have recently got a USB wireless adaptor to cover for poor signal in my house. Runs fine then will crash when one of the FMV ads comes on, I check a link to youtube or try to play an online game.

Things I have tried: Installing up to date motherboard drivers, up to date drivers for all relevent devices, Windows (64 bit, Home Premium, Vista) has all updates. I even re-installed Windows from the OEM disc when it first started happening (thought I had a new super-virus that nothing was detecting).

So, dear escapists, what do you think may be wrong and what can I try to do about it? The interweb just gives me links to loads of people who have asked about the problem but no working solutions.

 

[Sneaklemming]

How do you mean crash? This could be a power problem. If your PC just shuts off - then you need more power.

If it bluescreens there should be an error code you can google (it will probably be a driver issue, and lead you to a solution)

If everything just freezes or hangs... well... I dont know... you could try to find out what program is making windows hang?

edit: Crashes and makes you do a hard reset... I'm still not clear on what is actually happening - can you describe it please?

 

[Serioli]

How do you mean crash? This could be a power problem. If your PC just shuts off - then you need more power.

If it bluescreens there should be an error code you can google (it will probably be a driver issue, and lead you to a solution)

If everything just freezes or hangs... well... I dont know... you could try to find out what program is making windows hang?

edit: Crashes and makes you do a hard reset... I'm still not clear on what is actually happening - can you describe it please?

By crash I mean it just hangs. Any sound stutters and dies, mouse pointer freezes if visible, picture freezes if watching a DVD or playing a game. The PC just freezes.

To recover I always try a Ctrl-Alt-Del but nothing ever happens so I need to reset using the button on the base unit or turn off and on again.

The cause seems to be random but only when I have a 'complex' item plugged into a USB port and am doing something processor intensive. My mouse and keyboard never cause it (both USB) but if I have a music player or the USB adaptor (to connect to wireless) plugged in I am unable to play a game or watch a DVD without unplugging them. I can surf the net or word process but could not watch a youtube video, extra credits or a DVD. The FMV ads sometimes cause it to happen.

EDIT - Thanks for the reply.

 

[Smooth Operator]

This sounds quite odd as I never encountered something like this, so I'll just guess:
- infected devices, if you got usb storage devices trojans ans viruses like to nessle on them (then when you plug them in they start to mess around and cause problems)
- faulty drivers or Windows, I know you said you reinstalled it all but this is mostly the issue
- 3rd party software messing with usb, any programs that want to connect with your usb devices
- usb software messing with your comp, alot of devices now have an autorun feature that does some bullshit you don't want them to
- it could also be a motherboard issue, a broken usb port(happened to me a couple of times, but is unlikely)
- motherboard chip set issue, maybe the usb hardware or firmware is malfunctioning (highly unlikely)

I would advise you get an advanced anti-virus/firewall that allows a full data and execution overview, Comodo being a good example(the trial version will be more then enough for this).
When you have it stop all internet trafic, and set it to highest security, then no data can be accessed without triggering a notification of who is doing what, then plug in your usb devices one by one, and check what they are doing, and you should probably block off all data, registry, and execution request, see if that helps with anything.

 

[Serioli]

SNIP

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the step by step part you suggested to check them one by one.

(Sorry for delay in replying, trouble with my USB wireless adaptor )