possible answer to myself and others if they come across it:
in talking with someone, we had an epiphany: it has probably to do with the wiring of the USB-A to USB-A cable itself…
The Pin to Pin connection is crossed over for the SuperSpeed Data Pair.
found here: https://newnex.com/technology-articles- … option.php
given what I then read in another forum post, I need a 1:1 pin connection, not a cross-over… careful reading next time…
I’ll update here once I get my hands on another cable… or make one myself if I have to…