Vista - USB devices drop out between applications

I'm using Vista 64 Home Premium SP1 with Microsoft Flight Simulator X SP2 and have several USB controllers for yoke, throttle and rudder pedals, all CH Products. I have the latest drivers from CH installed and they work fine -- until I close FSX, run something else and then reboot FSX. Then I lose one or two USB devices, seemingly at random. The solution is to unplug/replug the devices each time I want to use FSX. Not a big deal, but a pain. I haven't seen any similar problems posted here or on the Microsoft web site. Any ideas?

Asus Formula Rampage mobo
Intel Q9450
4 gigs Crucial DHX RAM

Have you tried plugging the devices into a powered USB hub? They may be
drawing more power than the bus can provide.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@xxxxxx
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"mldavis2" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:eb35d54a9d47a48cc78616f8d54671b4@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

That thought occurred to me but I don't think that's the problem. I'm running a big 750W PC Power & Cooling power supply on an Asus Formula Rampage mobo with 8 USB ports directly off the board. Only 5 of those ports are being used at any one time, a USB wireless mouse, keyboard and the 3 controllers for FSX. I only have to unplug and re-plug the USB controllers back in and they work flawlessly until I close FSX. I have other USB devices such as a Wacom tablet that no doubt pull more power and there is no problem with them. Also, the mouse transmitter and keyboard never quit, just the FSX devices. Just wondered if there was something about USB devices in the Vista 64 FAQs.

The size of your power supply does not matter. The USB bus can only provide
a fixed amount of power no matter what else is inside your computer, what
motherboard you use, or any other variable - it's set by the USB standard.
So a powered hub would be a good next try.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@xxxxxx
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


"mldavis2" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:8b246938039435256bed287ef3f98977@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

Thanks, Richard. I may try that. You can't have too many USB ports, so adding to the 8 I already have won't hurt. I am skeptical, still, since I'm not getting drop outs during hours of computer use once FSX is running. These are essentially "rheostat" and switch type devices that shouldn't be pulling much power aside from the LED on the throttle controller. I use iPods that pull power for battery recharging, and the Wacom tablet that maintains a magnetic field of sorts and no problems with them, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the response. I'll report back.