Vista recognizes mp3 player, but not as a portable device...

I have a Vista laptop, a Creative Touch mp3 player and an RCA Pearl mp3
player. When I connect the Creative player to the laptop, it recognizes the
player as a portable device, installs the drivers and Windows Media Player,
Yahoo Music and other apps that sync with music devices see the device and
will synchronize with the player.

However, when I connect the RCA player, Vista sees the device but only
recognizes it as a removable drive. So I cannot sync music to the player
from Media Player or other music management apps. This presents a bit of
problem when it comes to DRM content.

Now, I have 3 other Vista computers available to me and if I connect the RCA
player to any of those machines, they recognize the Pearl as a portable
device and I can synch just fine. Those machines also have no problem with
the Creative player.

Of course, I figure I can reinstall Vista on the troublesome laptop and
resolve the issue, but I'm looking for a solution that won't require quite as
much hassle. Anyone have any ideas on how I might get this laptop to
recognize my RCA Pearl as a portable device, not just a removable drive?