Computer doesn't recognize USB printer?

[david46675]

Hey guys,

Disclaimer: I have an HP laptop, fairly new with an AMD processor, a gig of RAM, running windows XP. I'm not an idiot that can't handle installing a printer driver, heh.

So I bought a new printer, an HP Photosmart 2160 to be precise, but that doesn't really matter at this point, because after failing with that one, I tried installing another USB printer and was equally unlucky.

The problem is this: my Windows XP doesn't seem to be recognizing any USB printer I try to install. I think it is lacking the necessary USB support drivers required to install the printer that connects using USB. I was able to install the printer drivers and have the computer see them on LPT1 or COM ports, but no dice with USB. It doesn't even give me the option of installing the printer with USB support. I'm at a complete loss for how to proceed at this point, other than finding a printer that connects over the printer port rather than USB. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't have my Win XP cd or I would try a fresh reinstall, I might end up doing that. I figured I would throw it around AT and see what you guys come up with first though! Thanks again for your time and help!

Dave

 

[dphantom]

Have you checked in Control Panel -- System Properties -- Hardware -- Device Manager to see if you have any yellow question marks over top the USB controller device or red X's? If yes, you probably need to install the appropriate USB drivers. If not, does a USB mouse/keyboard work just to verify USB is functioning?

 

[wpshooter]

Do you have the USB settings in BIOS set properly ?

 

[david46675]

yes there's a yellow question mark...i dont know where to go from now, and yes i assume the USB settings in BIOS are set properly

 

[birdpup]

:laugh:
The yellow question mark means there is a hardware component in your system that WinXP does not know how to communicate with. This means a driver needs to be installed for this component. Is a description provided for this component?

Originally posted by: wpshooter
Do you have the USB settings in BIOS set properly ?

Originally posted by: david46675
... yes i assume the USB settings in BIOS are set properly

It would be good to actually check the USB settings in the BIOS.

 

[david46675]

I checked the USB settings in the BIOS, it is enabled and everything looks good.

The only description for the "component" that needs to be installed is "USB device" aka my printer. I really think the problem stems from the fact that my WinXP doesn't recognize USB printers, and/or doesnt support them. Do you guys know if there is anyway to update this portion of my windows software?

 

[birdpup]

Did you try the "Add a printer" function in Start, Printers and Faxes, left column "Add a printer"?

In the Device Manager, do you have an entry for "Universal Serial Bus controllers"?

Are your USB ports in the motherboard or on a separate PCI card?
If the USB ports are on a PCI card, you will need to install the USB drivers that come with that PCI card.
If the USB ports are on the motherboard, it may help to reinstall the drivers appropriate for your motherboard.

 

[david46675]

yes yes and motherboard...previously i had a printer hooked up with a printer cable rather than USB, im just going to have someone ship that one to me from home, seems simpler than continuing to fail at installing the USB printer :-\