USB Device's keep re-installing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Billy Ray
  • Start date Start date
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Billy Ray

I have windows xp pro - patched - Every time disconnect then re-
connect a usb device, windows starts to install the hardware a second
time. The main problem is that I have to change the default printer
to the "new" printer just created and delete the old one.

anyone have any ideas?
 
Billy Ray said:
I have windows xp pro - patched - Every time disconnect then re-
connect a usb device, windows starts to install the hardware a second
time. The main problem is that I have to change the default printer
to the "new" printer just created and delete the old one.
Click to expand...

This should only happen if you plug it into a different USB port.
 
Billy Ray said:
Thats what it ended up being... Thanks for your help..
Click to expand...

For a more complete answer:

USB devices come in two forms, serial numbered and non serial numbered. A
non serial numbered USB device will always install as a new device if you
plug it into a port that it has never been plugged into before (because
Windows has no way of knowing if it is a different device). A serial
numbered USB device will be recognised when it is plugged into a different
port and so will not be reinstalled, but enumerated straight away.

Unfortunately, their is an ambiguity in the USB spec. Whereas the intention
was that similar USB devices should all have unique serial numbers, the
spec. doesn't explicitly state this. As a result some USB peripheral
manufacturers have turned out their entire production run with the same
serial number. This does not cause a problem until you want to connect 2 of
the same peripheral. The second one connected won't enumerate, because
Windows thinks that it is already connected. There is a registry hack as a
workaround, but it it effectively turns it into non serial numbered devices.
 
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