I have .47uF on Vusb, and a 4Mhz crystal. The configs are either default (those in the include file for 18F2455) or those from the USBdemo code (with the include file configs commented out). Basically I'm following the design in the USBdemo pbp code. Does the fact that the pc sometimes appears to recognize the PIC imply that the hardware is OK?

As for what I am trying to do, at this point I just want to get something working--some means of sending text over a usb cable. The end goal is to have a simple data logging device that joe schmoe can plug into a computer and download stored data. Either CDC or HID would be good at this point.