USB not re-enabled

I have an IBM Thinkpad running Windows XP Pro. It's connected to most everything except ethernet through a port replicator.

Peridically when I put the thinkpad back on the port replicator it won't re-enable the USB devices. When it happens I've tried bypassing the port replicator but still no joy. If I reboot the system, it picks up the USB devices just fine.

Anyone have any idea what I can do to re-enable the USB devices short of reboot.

Also peridically it will lost connection to one or more USB devices which takes a reboot to get it back.

I have the following USB devices through a powered hub
Keyboard
Mouse
Tape Drive
Scanner
Digital Camera
Handspring Visor

The tape drive is the most noticeble that it's lost connection while at least the mouse and keyboard are still usable.

 

Welcome to the forum Bill!
Can't offer a fix as to why this is happening, but I'm sure some good advice/suggestions will shortly flow.

As a quick way to to re-establish the offending device connection, try (when it disappears) right clicking any device in the device manager, and click Scan for hardware changes. This works for when hardware such as a CDRW "drops off" so may be a Band Aid for your problem.

 

usb devices...

Bill,
Here is one thing you can check... open the 'device manager', go to 'usb controllers', expand that branch and right click on 'usb root hubs' click 'properties', then go to the 'power management' tab and clear the check mark by 'allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' if it is checked. If you have more than one 'usb root hub' listed, make sure to check all. HTH

B