Yesterday I was up on the mesa tweaking my scope...
Jerry and everyone: For USB-loss problems, everyone's first reflex MUST be to go into Windows' Power Options and ensure that Disable USB Suspend is unchecked!!! I know it seems unreasonable (to the real world outside Redmond), but some Windows Updates (10 for sure) WERE IN FACT re-enabling USB Suspend. Several very experienced observers reported this to me during last winter. Happily I haven't seen this happen for several months now, but my reflex to check it remains the same.
Also, for EVERY USB Hub in Windows' Device Manager, verify under the Properties > Power Management tab that "Allow the computer to turn off the device to save power" remans unchecked. Check every USB Hub whether you think you're using it or not. This may usually be a self-inflicted problem rather than Redmonds' fault, but this check box has been known to get rechecked as well. Worth verifying.
(Bob: Software Bisque has gone so far as to make a sticky post about this on their site. This comes up often enough here that perhaps the ACP forum might consider the same.)
measuring space rock rotation rates, live from Albuquerque NM