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Any USB printer fails to install.. "unknown port" ??

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mungoman

Technical User
May 18, 2006
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On a P4 system with XP Pro I recently did a clean reinstall of the whole system. Since then I've been unable to install any USB printer despite having done so on that PC previous to the last reinstall. I faithfully follow the instalation CD right up to where it asks for the USB cable to be connected and the printer turned on. It then finds the/any printer and gets so far then either fails to show the printer icon in Control Panel/Printers or says it was unable to install due to an error. It sometimes ( depends of brand of printer) reports that the port is unknown.
I've tried unistalling the driver/s then removing theUSB driver in device manager but more often than not it just putrs them straight back.
Other USB devives such as scanner, pocket drives, hubs, WiFi adapters.. etc.. all work fine..
Any ideas on how to resolve the issue??
 
Are you connecting to a USB port on your computer or to another device such as an unpowered hub or connector on your monitor?

pc.gif

Jomama
 
I've tried thru the front USB 2.) port which come direct off the MB, off the rear Mb ports and off a PCI card..

They all fail to complete the instalaltion

 
When the USB printer is plugged in and powered up, Win XP should run 'USB Printing Support'. You should be able to see this in the Device Manager under USB Controllers. This should be running before you install the driver for the printer. Do you see this in the Device Manager ?
 
I had a problem with a HP using USB. I had to install the software with the printer NOT connected first. If you try to install with it connected it will not work.

Never give up never give in.

There are no short cuts to anything worth doing :)
 
Yup.. know about not connecting until prompted... but that's not it.. will check USB Printing Support when in a th e site.. thanks!
 
Have you the latest software from the motherboard manufacture. I had problem till I updated from the manufacture's website ( sorry for delay beed away)

Never give up never give in.

There are no short cuts to anything worth doing :)
 
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