West Midlands, UK. wrote:

Can't say I have noticed this problem...

But if I format the drive, and take the ( backup )battery out of the
computer, then replace it, set the time etc;, then put on windows, it find
its USB port immediately like the first time.

Sounds like this is a ACPI / PnP aware BIOS issue. The port
configuration (along with assignments for expansion cards etc) is stored
by the PC in a battery backed part of the CMOS. If you re-install
windows there is a fair chance that the configration of the peripheral
devices will end up different from how it was.

You can probably get the same "clensing" effect by selecting the erase
ESCD option in the BIOS screen.

--
Cheers,

John.

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