I want to confirm what I have read elsewhere in this forum. Are you saying that the hardware will not permit a device connected through it to enumerate unless the software is running and Capture is started? Put another way, are you saying that the hardware will not allow the data to pass through unaffected when the software is not capturing?

If you try to connect a USB device through an unpowered 1480A unit then the capture circuitry will load down the low-current USB signals and cause your device not to enumerate. Therefore, the 1480A should at least be powered (connected to an Analysis PC) because you would otherwise drive current (from the link under test) into unpowered capture circuitry in the 1480A unit. Driving current into an unpowered circuit can long-term cause damage (but short-term doesn't have any effect).

There is no need to have capture enabled.