Hardware detection noise?

[bronzeman]

Lately, sometimes when starting a game, my PC makes a hardware detection noise, as if I had plugged in a USB device or something. Is this normal? I'm using WinXP Pro SP2.

[W1zzard]

do you have any devices listed in the USB tray icon after that sound ?

[bronzeman]

No, nothing.

[Black Panther]

I don't know but maybe your system uses the same noise for hardware detection as it uses for other things, example getting a message on xfire, or getting an email?
If you disconnect from the internet, and keep all other programs (msn, x-fire, email etc and all that stuff) closed, do you still get the sound? Disable anti-virus and anti-spyware programs too.

[bronzeman]

I only use that PC for gaming - I have a laptop I use for email etc. There are no applications (xfire etc) running except for the games. This has been happening for a couple of months now, but never used to happen.

Thinking about it, I damaged one of my front USB ports awhile ago. I never use that port anymore, but mebbe its causing the problem?