naaloh Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 As every Windows XP user probably knows, this OS has an utterly stupid feature of installing a USB device anew if it was plugged into a different USB receptacle, unless the device has a unique serial number, which is, usually, only true for mass storage devices. I've read somewhere that it was introduced to permit using two identical devices without SNs simultaneously, but if the developers really wanted this, they should make the OS install another device only if the previously installed device(s) of this same type were connected. As it stands, the current implementation is nothing but annoyance for 99.(9) percent of users.I'm, therefore, very much interested if there's a way to get rid of this behavior. I don't care if I lose the ability to use two identical devices without SNs simultaneously. Why would I want to, anyway, it's not like I need a number of UMTS modems or IrDA adapters or anything else. I may need two identical external HDDs, but those will surely have SNs.Sorry if this question has already been asked, but it seems that the search engine on this forum ignores three letter words, at least I got nothing when I searched for "USB". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripredacus Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 To search for words 3 letters or less, you can use google. For example you can go to google and type this into the search box:site:msfn.org usb xpAs far as this issue, it also exists in Vista and Windows 7 as well, however it is more transparent and less annoying. However, the underlying driver model is still there, as is evident that a per-port driver instance can become corrupted in Windows 7, making it so a USB device will not work on a specific port, but will on another. I have a GoFlex drive that refuses to work on either of the front USB ports on my workstation. I think it has something to do with not using the Safely Remove Hardware feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naaloh Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 To search for words 3 letters or less, you can use google. For example you can go to google and type this into the search box:site:msfn.org usb xpYeah, sure, and spend the rest of my life studying the 44,100 results I wonder why you haven't suggested just searching the internet for usb xp, this would've been about as helpful As far as this issue, it also exists in Vista and Windows 7 as well, however it is more transparent and less annoying.Care to elaborate on this? I haven't used Vista or 7, so it would be interesting to know how it handles USB devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) Yeah, sure, and spend the rest of my life studying the 44,100 results Perhaps this is the reason the forum search feature doesn't allow searching for three-letter words. And the rest of that paragraph of yours was just disrespectful. Edited May 16, 2012 by 5eraph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naaloh Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) Perhaps this is the reason the forum search feature doesn't allow searching for three-letter words. Well, if this is indeed the reason, then whoever made the engine like this clearly lost his connection with reality, because, unlike internet search engines, the forum search allows to specify forums to look in and limit search to topic titles only, so it would most certainly haven't been more than a few hundred results (a score or two is more likely).And the rest of that paragraph of yours was just disrespectful. In my world no respect is given for spouting pointless "advices", what about yours? Edited May 16, 2012 by naaloh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) He gave you a good start, naaloh. You could try this with Google: USB site:http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/34-windows-xp/ Edited May 16, 2012 by 5eraph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naaloh Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 Thanks, 5eraph. I didn't know that google accepted paths for the "site:" parameter (after all, the description says "Search one site (like wikipedia.org ) or limit your results to a domain like .edu, .org or .gov"). Well, looking through the results, I haven't found anything similar to my question, so we're back to square one: is there any way to prevent XP from installing already installed devices anew just because they've been plugged into a different receptacle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponch Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 In my world no respect is given for spouting pointless "advices", what about yours?In mine your question is pointless, so you deserve no respect. Is that how it works ? I don't think so.Please read the forum rules, especially 7b. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltimateSilence Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) IMHO, Windows XP doesn't have a single stupid feature...Google results are unfruitful...EDIT: Does the "feature" have a name? Edited May 17, 2012 by UltimateSilence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naaloh Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share Posted May 17, 2012 In mine your question is pointless, so you deserve no respect. Is that how it works ? I don't think so.Please read the forum rules, especially 7b.You're right, it's not how it works, because my question is not pointless. And if you really found flame in my posts, then you'll certainly have no trouble finding water in Sahara desert... or a non-existent black cat in a dark room.IMHO, Windows XP doesn't have a single stupid feature...Google results are unfruitful...EDIT: Does the "feature" have a name? Am I to assume that you don't consider features like AutoPlay or Desktop Cleanup Wizard stupid? Never thought people like that existed... except perhaps those who think that "stupid" is not a word strong enough to describe those features B) As to the name, none that I'm aware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltimateSilence Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 IMHO, Windows XP doesn't have a single stupid feature...Google results are unfruitful...EDIT: Does the "feature" have a name? Am I to assume that you don't consider features like AutoPlay or Desktop Cleanup Wizard stupid? Never thought people like that existed... except perhaps those who think that "stupid" is not a word strong enough to describe those features B) As to the name, none that I'm aware of.You are correct on your assessment of my position.Not even an "unofficial" name? If you were to objectively describe it in words, what would you call it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrofLuigi Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Some explanation here: Section "USB serial number". And the entire site is very useful.I personally have stopped bothering with this, every few months I keep uninstalling the non-present devices.GL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bphlpt Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Great link @GrofLuigi. Many Thanks!Cheers and Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripredacus Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Yeah, sure, and spend the rest of my life studying the 44,100 results Perhaps this is the reason the forum search feature doesn't allow searching for three-letter words. And the rest of that paragraph of yours was just disrespectful. The character restriction is not something we have set, it is in the forum software. It is to prevent searches from taxing the server, especially when on forums that are as old as this one. Everyone in this thread needs to settle down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bphlpt Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 In hindsight, I guess we should have just answered the OP:No, as far as we know there is no way to get rid of this behavior.And also provided the link that GrofLuigi provided.Cheers and Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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