It seems this problem has been around since the 98, XP days as more, and more users have discovered external HDD's.
Check your BIOS settings, If your MB has a
Legacy USB Detect setting disable it.
I would re-start your machine after the change.
Thank you for filling out your System Specs that allowed me to find some settings in your BIOS that you can try:
Boot Device Configuration
- Boot Settings Configuration | Configures the settings during system boot.
- Hard Disk Boot Priority | Sets the hard drive boot priority. The items displayed are dynamically updated according to the hard drives detected.
- First Boot Device | Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices. Removable; CD/DVD; Hard Drive; Disabled (Removable by default).
- Second Boot Device | Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices. Removable; CD/DVD; Hard Drive; Disabled (CD/DVD by default).
- Third Boot Device | Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices. Removable; CD/DVD; Hard Drive; Disabled (Hard Drive by default).
- Boot Other Device | No; Yes (Yes by default).
Source:
System Setup | Dell Studio XPS™ 435MT Service Manual
There is also this comprehensive Manual:
Dell Studio XPS™ 435MT Service Manual
There are instructions at the first link inside the Quote Box that will show you how to enter the BIOS.
Then I would set them like this:
- Hard Disk Boot Priority | See if you can choose the machines HDD only or change the priority so that the external is last.
- First Boot Device | Main machine's HDD.
- Second Boot Device | CD/DVD.
- Third Boot Device | Disable.
- You might have to try several configurations for best performance.
Note
Remember to re-start your machine after any changes
There are also updates for the BIOS, and other areas for your machine here:
XPS Desktop 435MT - Dell - Search - All Dell.com, but you may feel more comfortable using the
upgrade wizard - Dell - Search - All Dell.com. You would have to pick out the best route to take as there are several ways to go.
There may be a link already on your machine that will start the upgrade process for you.
I did find some steps you can try at this thread, but from what I have run into this seems more, and more that it is a
POST, and not an
OS problem:
http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...y-slow-when-external-hard-drive-attached.html
Post #'s: 2, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 21
11 suggests a possible BIOS upgrade
19 relates to slowness also at shutdown.
23 relates to slowness with iDevices.
Some users only plug in the external when needed, but this procedure seems to defeat the purpose, maybe a switch is in order?
But again, it defeats the ease of use parameter.