Connecting most USB2.0/Firewire devices locks computer

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

I saw that Donna posted a similar problem but mine is somewhat different so I
thought I would see if I could get help with my machine.
I have a built PC that has a FLEX brand USB2.0/Firewire 8 Port combo front
panel host controller installed. I have XP Pro installed. Whenever I plug in
most devices it will usually but not always let me see files but not let me
access them without totally locking up the computer. It freezes the mouse and
ctl-alt-del does nothing. I have tried an external hard drive and my camera,
both of which have power and it locks up. The only device I have found that
it will work with is my PDA (Palm Zire 31) which I can hot sync through any
of the USB 2.0 ports. The hard drive has both firewire and USB 2.0
connections but it locks up the computer with either. I previously had
Windows 2000 Pro installed and used all of these same devices with this same
computer with no problems. Since installing XP Pro I have constantly had this
problem with no change.
I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers with no sucess and even
bought a new USB/Firewire card and installed that thinking maybe mine had a
problem but that did not help. I can plug any of the devices into my original
USB 1.0 ports and they work fine. Troubleshooter indicates there are no
problems with the USB/Firewire device. I am out of ideas. Can anyone help?
Thanks
Ray