3 Replies Latest reply on Nov 13, 2012 6:45 AM by dakn_263916

USB Windows Utility

dakn_263916 Nov 13, 2012 6:45 AM

I am looking for a freeware Win utility that has the following capabilities -

1) Detects all USB devices on a system.

2) Allows user to turn power off on the port, and back on again. Goal is to

force a Win driven renegotiation of a device that is hung, in my case a wireless

link that has dropped connection. ipconfig is no help here. The other case is

a webcam that does not always startup.

3) Can handle scripts to implement 2) to be run in task scheduler.

Anybody know of one ?

Regards, Dana.

1. Re: USB Windows Utility

helic_263931 Nov 6, 2012 5:26 PM (in response to dakn_263916)

Computers typically are not designed to switch power on USB ports. If they did, how would a device be detected the first time - when the power is off it doesn't start up...

The USB ports power lines are always connected to the 5V power lines. There might be exceptions in that some devices disable the port when power negotiations fail, but I don't know of any. Your best guess could be a powered USB hub, whose power supply you could control (but this requires hardware).
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2. Re: USB Windows Utility

dakn_263916 Nov 12, 2012 4:26 PM (in response to dakn_263916)

What I am looking for is a SW equivalent, by running win script, that will

simulate an unplug/plug re-negotiation cycle for a specific USB port,

of my choosing.



Regards, Dana.
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3. Re: USB Windows Utility

helic_263931 Nov 12, 2012 5:21 PM (in response to dakn_263916)
It seems like 'devcon' from the Winowd driver kit is what you need:


devcon.exe disable <_ID with wild cards_>

devcon.exe enable <_ID with wild cards_>


You can also look at http://stackoverflow.com/questions/916296/how-can-i-cycle-a-usb-device-from-c/919836#919836 to find a windows scripting solution.

It looks like googling for "windows software usb unplug" yields some more detailed information.

But this still assumes that the USB-renegotiation will properly re-init the affected devices.
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4. Re: USB Windows Utility

dakn_263916 Nov 13, 2012 6:45 AM (in response to dakn_263916)

Thanks hli, thats exactly what I need.

Regards, Dana.
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