USB hub, mouse devices changing ID on bootup?

[fatfingers]

Hi. 

I am having difficulties with my mouse devices (Happ Trackball, SlikStik spinner) after rebooting my machine.  I have them (and my two UltraStiks which seem to be fine) plugged into an El Cheapo ^TM non self-powered 4 port USB hub (UltraStiks in ports 1 and 2, spinner and trackball in 3 and 4).  I also have a standard mouse attached via USB (no hub) into my motherboard.

The problem I am having is that it seems on reboots I do not get the same "mouse id" for MAME.  In other words, if I set mame global inputs for spinners and trackballs and then reboot, it seems I may or may not get the same "mouse id" next time and I may have to re-set the mame inputs to be the current settings.

Any help here?  Am I just stupid?  Do I need a powered hub?  Should I not use a hub?  Should I take up cross-stitching?

 

Thanks!

[NickG]

There is a better solution, but if your motherboard supports hibernation, you could just hibernate your system instead of shutting down/restarting once you have completely configured your system.  Upon recovering from hibernation your system should be exactly as you have left it.  It is faster than a full startup, also.     

[RetroBorg]

Any help here?  Am I just stupid?  Do I need a powered hub?  Should I not use a hub?  Should I take up cross-stitching?

 

Thanks!

You should take up cross-stitching. 

[JustMichael]

Or you need a couple Electric ICE-T™ Deluxe RGB Arcade Trackballs.  These trackballs remember which number they are so that player 1 is always player 1 and player 2 is always player 2.  I would think that trackballs 3 & 4 would do the same (be players 3 & 4) but I only own two of these trackballs.  Being able to light them up whatever color you want is just icing on the cake...