(Not) New Hardware Found

[Alexia]

My computer has an annoying habit. Everytime I plug my mouse into a different USB port, it tells me that it's discovered new hardware and asks me to install the software / drivers. It's not like the mouse won't work - I use said mouse to close the dialogue box.

I've also noticed it happen with my webcam and my wireless network adapter, and various other USB thingys. In one case an external hard drive would only work if it was plugged into one specific USB port.

Is there a way of making the computer remember that it's already installed the software for the various peripherals and to not ask me time and again every time I move my laptop around and disconnect my mouse? Or is it a quirk that will go on?

Tech specs: XP SP2 4 USB 2.0 slots (of which only 3 work due to physical damage done to one by me) - and I use a 4-way USB hub to extend it.

[lukey]

AIUI, it's down to poorly designed devices not registering a unique serial with the pooter when it connects, so Windows can only safely understand the kind of device it's dealing with whilst it's connected to that one port. In other words, when you plug it somewhere else, Windows can't just assume it's the same device in a different port, as it can't guarantee it's actually talking to the same unique device, even if its seemingly responsive. If hardware manufacturers actually opted into the optional elements of the USB spec, therefore, it wouldn't be an issue
Also, I doubt there's a workaround as this is already a workaround, by design.

EDIT: Not altogether sure that post held itself together coherently...

[Dr Lobster*]

you'd be surprised at how many drivers have this issue. i work in an environment where a significant number of the computers don't have the user in the local admin group, which means that when we build the image we have to plug things in every single port so that we don't get called out later to enter the admin password to so the new hardware wizard will complete. it's pants. some are better than others. most memory sticks seem to be ok, (apart from those crappy u3 ones which i [won't] don't support), but webcams, certain types of hid and wireless network adapters all are a bit of a pain. some wireless adapters insist on being setup for every single port, others don't.