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How to confirm if an AnywhereUSB is connected and installed properly

Confirming that an AnywhereUSB is connected and installed is a good first step in troubleshooting AnywhereUSB issues.  For example, if an attached USB device doesn't seem to be detected by Windows, it would be logical to first determine if the AnywhereUSB itself has been installed properly.
 
1. The AnywhereUSB front panel Port LEDs will let you know if the unit is connected to a computer, but not exactly which computer.  It's a good starting point, if you have physical access to the unit.
 
Regarding the legacy AnywhereUSB/5, AnywhereUSB/2, AnywhereUSB/5 G2, and AnywhereUSB TS44 models, the USB Port LEDs will be all off when the unit is disconnected, and all solid Green when the unit is connected, regardless of if any USB devices are attached to the AnywhereUSB.
 
Regarding the AnywhereUSB/5 M and the AnywhereUSB/14 (Multi-Host Connection models), USB Port LEDs that are associated with certain Groups will behave the same way.  For example, if USB Port 1 is associated with Group 1, and a host computer is connected to Group 1, then that particular USB Port LED would be solid Green.  If no host computers were connected to Group 1 then that particular USB Port LED would be off.  Similar to above, this is regardless of if any USB devices are attached to the AnywhereUSB.
 
2. The next best way to determine if an AnywhereUSB is connected to, and installed on, a host computer is by looking in Windows Device Manager, specifically in the Universal Serial Bus (USB) controllers category.
 
The first generation AnywhereUSB/5 will be listed as follows (without any yellow warning icons):
 
AnywhereUSB Host Controller (IP address of the unit) - 0
AnywhereUSB Host Controller (IP address of the unit) - 1
AnywhereUSB Root Hub
AnywhereUSB Root Hub

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Newer, 2nd generation AnywhereUSBs (all other models) will be listed as follows (again, without any yellow warning icons):
 
RealPortUSB Host Controller (IP address of the unit) - 0
RealPortUSB Root Hub

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If any of these components have yellow warning icons, note the error code and error message in their Properties window.  Code 39 is fairly common issue that occurs on some virtual machines - see this article.  If the error message says there's no driver, update the driver and follow the normal installation instructions.  If the error message is more ambigous, ensure the current AnywhereUSB driver is installed.
 
The AnywhereUSB Configuration Utility and AnywhereUSB Viewer Utility, both of which are bundled with the AnywhereUSB driver package, are also helpful.  Start Menu shortcuts to these utilities are on the Start Menu in the AnywhereUSB program group.
 
3. After running the AnywhereUSB Configuration Utility, select the AnywhereUSB on the left-hand side and note the text in the Host PC Connection Status area at the top-right.  If the AnywhereUSB cannot be discovered, please review this article before proceeding.  If the AnywhereUSB is connected to that particular computer, the text should read "Connected to this Host PC" (disregard the "Driver Status" line underneath).  The AnywhereUSB Configuration Utility may need to be refreshed, via View / Refresh, for a valid connection status.  If the Connection Status says "Connecting to this computer" please review this article.



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4. The AnywhereUSB Viewer Utility shows information about all USB ports that are attached to the computer, which includes AnywhereUSB USB ports, onboard USB ports, and USB ports from USB hubs.
 
The legacy / 1st generation AnywhereUSB will be listed twice, as "AnywhereUSB Host Controller (IP address of the unit) - 0" and "AnywhereUSB Host Controller (IP address of the unit) - 1".  Within each of these two categories there should be a RootHub, with individual USB Ports underneath.

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Newer, 2nd generation AnywhereUSBs (all other models) will be listed as "RealPortUSB Host Controller (IP address of the unit) - 0".  Within this category there should be a Root Hub, with individual USB ports underneath.

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Last updated: Jan 11, 2024

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