Occ. dropout of USB-UIRT= I am getting very frustrated

I have had my USB-UIRT/HTPC up and running since about July. I am using Girder with Sage TV/Zoom Player/Meedio, with Girder controlling everything through USB-UIRT input. I have noticed that occasionally the USB-UIRT will stop responding to input.
Typical scenario:
Pick up remote --> Press button --> no response --> press again --> notice red light on USB-UIRT flashing --> Girder icon in taskbar does not flash --> open girder --> states cannot communicate with USB-UIRT --> unplug USB-UIRT --> plug back in --> windows message at taskbar that states 'USB device not recognized' --> remove USB-UIRT from vicinity (to next room) --> wait approx one hour --> plug back in --> USB-UIRT recognized --> works fine for another day or so.
Now this has happened a few times and invariably it is when I am not at home so it makes my wife mad. Things I have noticed:
1. Several weeks can go by without it ever happening. Then it begins to happen multiple times per day or week. Then it will stop again for a few weeks. I am on my 4th cycle of this.
2. If I leave the USB-UIRT unplugged near the TV, it takes longer for XP to recognize the device than if I take it to another room.
3. I have uninstalled an reinstalled the drivers multiple times. [I am using the newest girder plugin and USB-UIRT software]
4. It seems to function better on some USB ports on my computer than others.
It is plugged into a USB port on the computer.
My thoughts:
1. Possible electrical problem in the USB port, either too many or too few watts to the USB-UIRT. [Possible solution: Externally powered usb hub]
2. Some interference from the TV [Possible solution: move further from TV- Note: I have tried this, but didn't really help]
If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I am at wit's end and approaching the decision to begin researching other remote solutions for my HTPC.
Thanks
Typical scenario:
Pick up remote --> Press button --> no response --> press again --> notice red light on USB-UIRT flashing --> Girder icon in taskbar does not flash --> open girder --> states cannot communicate with USB-UIRT --> unplug USB-UIRT --> plug back in --> windows message at taskbar that states 'USB device not recognized' --> remove USB-UIRT from vicinity (to next room) --> wait approx one hour --> plug back in --> USB-UIRT recognized --> works fine for another day or so.
Now this has happened a few times and invariably it is when I am not at home so it makes my wife mad. Things I have noticed:
1. Several weeks can go by without it ever happening. Then it begins to happen multiple times per day or week. Then it will stop again for a few weeks. I am on my 4th cycle of this.
2. If I leave the USB-UIRT unplugged near the TV, it takes longer for XP to recognize the device than if I take it to another room.
3. I have uninstalled an reinstalled the drivers multiple times. [I am using the newest girder plugin and USB-UIRT software]
4. It seems to function better on some USB ports on my computer than others.
It is plugged into a USB port on the computer.
My thoughts:
1. Possible electrical problem in the USB port, either too many or too few watts to the USB-UIRT. [Possible solution: Externally powered usb hub]
2. Some interference from the TV [Possible solution: move further from TV- Note: I have tried this, but didn't really help]
If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I am at wit's end and approaching the decision to begin researching other remote solutions for my HTPC.
Thanks