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On Windows, a USB device's configuration is tied to its port, so by using this hack the device's settings will change depending on the orientation of the connector. This can't be good for user confidence in USB-C.



Why does Windows not recognize my USB device as the same device if I plug it into a different port? (on Raymond Chen's oldnewthing)

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20041110-00/?p=37...


It is a problem if the device does not expose any unique ID and you somehow need to depend on the device path enumeration.

For instance, I used to work on a project where I needed to control multiple Epson thermal printers from a single Raspberry Pi. Each printer was assigned to a customer kiosk, so I needed to know where I was sending the print job to. Unfortunately, the Epson thermal printers did not expose any unique ID over USB, so I had to rely on the USB device enumeration, and I label my cables and printers accordingly.

A USB-C port like in TFA would cause extra headache.


Could you have given each printer its own hub with a serial number?


That would have costed extra and made things more complicated for the crew who assembles the setup at the venues.


Ah. I feel better about your answer than if you had said something like "I could have if I had thought of it!". Half the reason I typed my comment is so that I'd be more likely to remember if I ever have a similar problem.


Is the port allowed to have something different on each side? It seems likely not, and in that case at least cover this up in the driver so the port is always just the port...


That sounds absolutely terrible, but to be fair, it also sounds more like a Windows-specific issue, than a USB-C specific one.


It's only for devices which opt out of having a unique ID. At that point, you have to consider different situations, including two devices of the same type in different ports. Safest to just assume each device is a new one.


It's not really an issue. You'll get the notification "new device detected" or something another time.


And get annoyed as settings changes seem to get reverted arbitrarily for whatever reason. Most “normal” people would carry on, mumbling about how computers are weird and incomprehensible, but it is not really a good thing.

Also, a device’s settings that depend on the port to which it is connected is terrible UX.


What settings?


Whenever I plug my USB soundcard into a new port it uses the default microphone volume (which isn't 100% for some reason).


If it's a remote receiver like the Xbox wireless one it'll have to be repaired if you use a different port.


Good grief, this is why I have to do that stupid dance every time I want to play a controller game. Good to know, thank you.




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