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USB Printer not detected 3

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Najemikon

Technical User
Mar 5, 2002
168
GB
Hi,

I've been trying to install a USB printer on to a Windows XP PC. Sounds easy, and indeed, it is something I have done hundreds of time (I'm an engineer and this is a customers PC). Software & driver installs fine, but when it prompted for the printer to be connected, the Windows 'bubble' said it was an unrecognised device. Since then, it won't detect it at all. The device manager shows no unknown hardware, or errors.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the software frequent times. It's a HP printer and they provide a thorough uninstall utility (it's called scrubber) to handle this very problem. You can see it removing all files and registry entries, but it makes no difference.

Interesting point though, is that since the first time the software was run, it skips the detecting printer section, implying it's already there. There's an option to "add additional device", but this acts like normal and can't detect a device. I'm very confused!

I've removed and reinstalled the USB ports, tested them with other devices (all ok), deleted registry entries manually in Safe Mode, and so on. Still no luck. Printer has been tested ok on another PC.

HP have come up with an unusual suggestion that I haven't had chance to try, but I can't comprehend why it would help: they suggest that if the PC has USB 2.0 ports, to connect the printer through a USB 1.1 hub; however, if the PC has USB 1.1, install a USB 2.0 port.

The printer is a USB 2.0 device, but even if the PC is only 1.1, I'd expect it to install and work, albeit perhaps with warnings. Any opinions, suggestions, etc? :)

Just for information, the printer is a HP OfficeJet K550. The PC is a Fujitsu of fairly decent specification (haven't checked for details yet) certainly far more than the HP minimum requirements.

Cheers, Jon
 
Hey Derick, sorry about not being as clear as I should have been, but I was on cloud nine when I wrote that....Anyway, my suggestion would be to follow the path I mentioned on a working computer, be careful, as I mentioned you can't undo a deleted key! Highlight the folder USB Monitor and then click the "Registry" tab at the top of the window, select "export registry file". Save it and transfere it to your computer, then double click the file. You will be asked if you want to import (or add, install, whatever...I don't remember the exact verbage) the Registy value. Of course you do, then go into your registry and make sure the key is there. As Vector mentioned you will need to export and copy keys for all of the control sets you have. There could be some differences between the computer you have and the computer you are copying. You can create your own key, and match the values as Vector explained. If you are still a bit wary about doing this I'll throw out my working, spam free email, so I respectfully request no one subscribes me to tons of porn sites.

funk45@comcast.com

We can swap phone #'s, registry files, whatever it takes to get you up and running. I know how frustrating this problem can be. If you try calling Dell, HP, Gateway, and their answer will always be re-install, my dad did that without asking me a day after I figured this out(different component, still missing reg value). So feel free to contact me, I know there is zero documentation for this fix on the Internet.
 
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