USB cables appear to be source of Windows 7 USB recognition problem

We have been working with customers over the past months to track down the source of the USB device recognition problem that has affected some customers upgrading to Windows 7. To date we are seeing the problem occur on a similar type of PC, mainly desktops with multiple USB ports on the back, top and front. The ports not physically on the motherboard (those on the front and top) are likely to actually be on an internal "hub", with internal cabling used to connect to the physical ports on the top/front. When connecting a device with a long (over 6') USB cable, especially the older 9' USB1.1 cable supplied with the original SL1200 models, the combination causes enough deterioration of the USB signal that Windows 7 does not complete the identification and installation of driver.

The solution appears to be quite simple: use a short, high quality USB cable connected to a port that is most likely on the motherboard (eg back of the computer clustered next to other ports). We are presently testing this out with customers and will offer a more definitive report soon.