USB drive slowdown boot

I have a Maxtor external USB drive with all my backup files.
It is now taking Windows 1/4 hour to boot the system while the drive is attached.

Indexing is switched off, and 'Take no action' is set.

Anyone know why this might be happening?

Erm... some kind of virus / anti-spyware software scanning the drive at boot-up? Just a guess, this isn't my area of expertise. :)

Which OS?

If you're using Readyboost, it does have some problems on certain drives (like rebuilding the entire cache every time you reboot). So, if that's on, try turning it off.

Windows XP Home, and nothing like ReadyBoost.

Having checked, I can't see any particular virus/anti-spyware settings that would cause this.

I've disabled indexing, but it feels as if Windows thinks 'I'll just do it anyway.'

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Turn off USB boot-up in the BIOS..check which boot options are given priority.

Mmm, you could check the fragmention status of the external drive - it might be a bit borked.

What file system does it use?

Check the 'Policies' on the drive - it will either be optimised for quick removal or optimised for performance. I leave mine on performance.

Does it boot faster into SafeMode?

If the drive works okay if you plug it in after Windows has booted then it rules out the cable/connections - but not necessarily the port. I assume you tried another USB port?

If it is a fragmentation issue, then you need PerfectDisk - there is bound to be a 30 day trial.

NTFS, no autoplay, optimized for quick removal (no preformance issues, only used for backup).

Safe mode - just the same, system froze for 3 minutes during loading drivers, then carried on.

I'm beginning to think it's the drive doing a little house-keeping, then handing control back to Windows.

Thanks for all the help, guys; I'm getting fed up with this - I'll just unplug it till I need to backup.

I know this can happen in some combinations of external usb drive (even iPods) and motherboard, not sure but wat the cause is. Mostly this isn't caused by the OS because this can happen under Windows, MacOSX and Linux...

unplug it while booting is normally the fastest sollution.

My best guess is to check Bios for any USB setting (Legacy mode or stuff like that) and try disabling/enabling stuff there. Remember/write down the original settings in case that doesn't help and want to change everything back. Could also be something with the the way usb power is handled before the computer is booted into the OS.