I’m running Windows 7 fully updated on a Powerspec G160 computer (Intel i5 processor; 8 GB memory; 4 external hard drives with 2 on ESata and 2 on USB2).
It used to be that I could put the computer in sleep mode, shut off the external drives, and restart just by turning them on and hitting a key on the keyboard.
Now the computer will restart, but the mouse laser goes out and the mouse pointer freezes shortly after the restart. I have to shut the computer down with a 4-second button press to the on-off button, then restart.
When I start the computer cold, the startup screen appears but then the computer freezes after a few seconds — no more disk activity. The second or thrid restart works.
I suspect the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center of causing these problems: they occurred immediately after I installed it. I uninstalled it but that did not cure the problem. The Device Manager appears to indicate that the computer is raising a family of mice. Under Human Interface Devices, it lists:
HID-compliant consumer control device
HID-compliant device
HID-compliant device
Microsoft Hardware USB Mouse
USB Input Device
USB Input device
— though all I have connected is one rather old Microsoft laser mouse and an HP Internet Keyboard (also USB).
And under Mice and other Pointing Devices,
HID-Compliant Mouse.
What can I do to fix this? Thanks.
