More research ... tried the FLIRC in my Lenovo T510 ThinkPad FLIRC plugged into regular USB port on side, putting the computer into sleep mode and then waking it up again will stop the FLIRC from connectingshutting the computer down and removing the battery isn't enough to fix the problem, nor is removing the FLIRC and reinserting it ... I had to remove the FLIRC, reboot the laptop and then reinsert and only then would it reconnectFLIRC plugged into "always on" USB port on back, putting the computer into sleep mode and then waking it up again will stop the FLIRC from connecting (just like the other port) ... however:rebooting the computer was enough to get the FLIRC reconnected when plugged into the rear USB port