Windows 7: USB Device already in use - but nothing plugged in?!

Hi,
Firstly, sorry if this is in the wrong section, I wasn't sure which one to post this in.

This problem is driving me crazy, I've done everything I can think of to solve it but nothing has worked so far.

I am trying to plug in and use my USB midi controller, Akai's MPD32. It should just plug in and work, no drivers to install, just simple plug and play. It used to work but something is not working now.

When it is plugged in I don't see the device icon in the tray but I can see it in Device Manager and Devices & Printers, both say it is working properly although it is listed as an audio device, which I don't know is how it should be as it is a midi controller, no audio is used. The device has power to it as well.

However, when I try to do anything with it I get errors. There is an editor specially made for this controller called Vyzex. When I try to use this it says:

"Can't open Midi Out Port Akai MPD32.
Driver may already be in use"

Then:

"Can't open Midi Out Port MIDIOUT2 (Akai MPD32).
Driver may already be in use".

It then asks me to select the input port, which shows the MPD32 ports but when I select one it says that the drivers are already in use - but I have nothing connected!

I try with MIDIOX (and midi monitor program) and it says "Undefined external error" when I try to select the midi port for MPD32.



My music program (Ableton Live 7.14) sees the MPD32 but the ports are greyed out, meaning it's not working for some reason. Ableton receives no midi data from the device.

I have no idea what is using the driver or USB ports. I have tried all ports. I used USBDeview to see what was being used and there is a "USB Composite Device" in use but I have no idea what this is, there is nothing plugged in. I have attached a screenshot of this with the device details in case this helps.

I have also tried disabling my integrated webcam as I heard that Logitech can cause conflicts (mine isn't Logitech I don't think) but this didn't help. I have also attached a screenshot of the Device Manager.

Pulling my hair out with this. I really don't know what else to try.

Boot in clean boot mode
If the device works properly, follow instructions to find the cause.

Hi Rich,

I tried the clean boot with out the startup services as instructed but I still had the same problem. The instructions seem to say just repeating the same step but if I had already booted without startup services isn't just going to be the same?

I'm a bit confused about what I'm supposed to be doing. Should I be stopping the Windows services as well as startup services?

If you did the clean boot and the problem still existed, clean boot cannot help us. Try in safe mode, now.
Safe Mode

Also run an antivirus scan
Download and scan with malwarebytes. Make sure you update and do the full scan

Lets be sure something not wanted is not using the port.

I just tried in safe mode but no programs are recognising the USB device so I couldn't test it.

To keep us occupied while looking for an answer run the anti virus and malwarebytes

While that is running go to device manager make sure that all drivers are up to date and no yellow markers are showing.

Update all port drivers.

If you have some sort of equip attached to a port like this
MPD32 Performance Pad Controller

Uninstall.

Leave only the mouse and keyboard in ports, for a test.

I've run a quick scan with Malwarebytes and Avast which showed nothing, running a full scan on Avast now but I don't think anything will show up.

I've gone through every device driver in Device Manager and tried to update it but everything was using the latest.

I am running a laptop to the only thing attached is the power cable. I plugged the MPD32 in and uninstalled it from the Sound, Video & Games Controller section in Device Manager, and then unplugged.

First, it's normal for USB controllers to be seen as an audio device.

Looks like you have multiple instances of the generic driver loaded. Not sure why unless it's been plugged into more than one USB port or a hub.

This might take registry editing. After my Yamaha-77 keyboard quit earlier this year I picked up an Oxygen61 (USB) to get me by untill the Yamaha is repaired.

I'm going to look in the registry (long time experienced reg editor) and see if I can locate where the multiple instances might be installed.

Ap

I captured your screen grab and marked what looks to be multiple devices, I'm guessing you finally had one to many USB devices loaded for the Akai and Windows finally became confused and for some reason has kept one loaded.



One thing to try, with the keyboard plugged in go into Device manager double click on the device in "sound, video & game controllers" go to the drivers tab and "uninstall" if the device show as still present, delete it as well.

Unplug the keyboard, shut the computer OFF, in a couple of minutes boot the machine, wit until it settles then plug the keyboard in. Try and always use the same USB port.

Also... have you installed any other USB devices before your keyboard stopped working.. you have -a lot- of USB devices listed.

If all elses fails registry editing would be the next step.

Ap