Connect VESC4.7 over USB

For a project we have been given a used VESC4.7 and we want to check whether or not the board is still usable. 

Intuitively, we tried to connect the board over USB with the newest version of the VESC-tool, but the software keeps returning the error-message: "Could not autoconnect. Make sure that the USB cable is plugged in and that the VESC is powered." Note that at this stage the board is only connected over USB, so (besides the 5V over USB?), no additional power is being supplied over the battery connection. 

So my main question is, does the board also require (additional) power from an external battery in order to power-up/connect with the VESC-tool? 

Thanks in advance,