Usb devices with the same name get mixed up/Renaming Usb device

Question

Hi there,

I have built myself a “button box” and used a “zero delay joystick encoder”, which is connected via USB. I also have another USB device that is listed under the same name as my button box. Both devices are recognized as ''Generic Game Controller'' when I open ''USB Controller Setup''.

In the Device Manager, however, I cannot find the two devices under ''USB Controller'' but in the “Input Devices (Human Interface Device)‘’ section. I don't know to what extent this is relevant, but all other devices such as my mouse, keyboard or Mirco(USB) are listed under ''USB controller''.

Now to the problem: The two devices that are recognized as ''Generic Game Controller'' swap, so that the individual key assignment is suddenly assigned to the wrong device.

In other words: Functions that I have assigned to my self-made button box are suddenly assigned to the second ''Generic Game Controller'' after a PC restart/unplugging the device.

I have already tried to change the name of the device using the ''Registry Editor'' so that Windows no longer thinks that they are the same devices, but unfortunately this has not been successful, as both devices are then simply listed under the newly assigned name.

Unfortunately, I can't find a post that is really helpful, and to be honest I can't quite understand why it is such a problem to change the device ID or whatever you call it so that Windows understands that this is a different device.

If someone could help me with this issue, it would make my Day :)

Answer 1

Hello Micha94,

Thank you for posting in Q&A forum.

Here are some steps you could try:

1. Right-click each device in Device manager and select Update driver. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" to ensure you have the latest drivers installed.
2. Some third-party software can remap your controllers. Those tools can help you assign specific functions to each device and ensure that Windows recognizes them correctly.
3. Since you've already tried editing the registry without success, ensure that you are changing the correct entries. Each device should have a unique VID (Vendor ID) and PID (Product ID). You can find these in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB.

Note: Please back up the registry first before you change it.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Daisy Zhou

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