Problem connecting Optio 33 WR to PC via USB

I recently purchased an Optio WR 33 which I am really pleased with. I do, however, have a problem. Today when I connected it to my PC (running Windows XP) an alarm sounded and the PC froze. This continued after I disconnected the cable for a few seconds, then the PC returned to normal. I can read the memory card ok with a card reader. Connecting the camera to the PC up until now has worked fine. When I initially connected it today the cable may not have been fully inserted into the camera correctly - could this have caused the problem. How can I correct it? With the cable definitely fully inserted, I now get this problem every time.
Can anyone advise please?
Thanks.

Most people never connect by cable. It is easier to use a card reader, and doing so avoids this sort of problem.

G