What operation system on your laptop and desktop? Did you install IE, or will you be using Remote Master?

When I plug mine in, screen on the remote briefly says "USB Connected". In Device Manager it shows up as Human Interface Devices -> HID-compliant vendor-defined device. Under Properties - Details, Hardware ids says HID\VID_06E7, among other things. My guess is yours is actually connecting fine. But if you have Mac or Linux, you'll have to get help at hifi-remote.com.