When I do that, the menu prints back out and the no device present error is gone. This is awesome, but no matter what combination of erase, reset, or flash (a different hex file) I do, even with the menu printing back after each command, the arduino still functions normally in the Arduino IDE and continues to appear as an Arduino in the port manager after each plug cycle, even though it appears as a "composite device" before I plug cycle it, and after I short the pins. (which would be when I perform the operations via dfu-programmer). Any ideas? Thanks for all your help nueh
edit: There is no atmega16u2 option when the menu prints, so when I am entering what you suggested I think the dfu-programmer menu is just reprinting because the terminal is recognizing the first part of the command, which is "dfu-programmer". I think that the atmega16u2 may not be visible because I am using an unpatched version of dfu-programmer somehow. Should I attempt to reinstall?