Ross:
Some PC have switches to enable/disable USB ports in their "BIOS" checking that might be the first place to start.
Have you used device manager to look for the created com port when the LocoBuffer is plugged in? Access from either files then this PC and properties or the windows menus windows system this PC properties...
If the drivers loaded correctly you also should have seen the new hardware detected and then ready to use notifications when the LocoBuffer was plugged it.
Not sure about Dick's removal tool catching it but there could be a stuck driver for the LocoBuffer, again device manager is the best tool possibly showing either a com with broken driver or a mystery device with the yellow triangle/!...
Jim Albanowski