I had to disconnect my Epson 3800 printer (connected by a USB port)
from my Dell that is running XP Professional, SP3. When I reconnected
the printer, the computer will not recognize it. I get the following
error message: One of the USB devices attached to this computer has
malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. Try again, or try a
different device.

I have done the following:
Uninstalled the printer and all connected software (both in the
Install/uninstall area and in the printers area). Reinstalled
software and drivers using current version from Epson
Deleted all USB ports and rebooted; successfully reinstalled all USB
drivers
Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
works fine
Tested other printers on the same USB ports; they work fine
Contacted Epson, who said to do the above. Then they said it was a
operating system issue.

Help!

EBL wrote:
> I had to disconnect my Epson 3800 printer (connected by a USB port)
> from my Dell that is running XP Professional, SP3. When I reconnected
> the printer, the computer will not recognize it. I get the following
> error message: One of the USB devices attached to this computer has
> malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. Try again, or try a
> different device.
>
> I have done the following:
> Uninstalled the printer and all connected software (both in the
> Install/uninstall area and in the printers area). Reinstalled
> software and drivers using current version from Epson
> Deleted all USB ports and rebooted; successfully reinstalled all USB
> drivers
> Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
> works fine
> Tested other printers on the same USB ports; they work fine
> Contacted Epson, who said to do the above. Then they said it was a
> operating system issue.
>
> Help!

Why did you originally disconnect the Epson 3800 printer?

The Epson software for my R280 has to be installed in a certain way. You
have to disconnect the printer from the USB port and then install the
software and wait for it to tell you to connect the printer.

--
JD..

I disconnected because I needed to use another printer to make xmas
cards, and I needed the desktop space.

Yup--as you say, there is a definite order in which to connect the
printer. I followed it exactly (about 6 times!).



On Dec 24, 7:06*am, JD <J...@example.invalid> wrote:
>
> Why did you originally disconnect the Epson 3800 printer?
>
> The Epson software for my R280 has to be installed in a certain way. You
> have to disconnect the printer from the USB port and then install the
> software and wait for it to tell you to connect the printer.
>
> --
> * JD..- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

This doesn't make any sense. The printer should have reconnected and
function just like it did before.

How long has it been disconnnected? Did you consider a system restore to
before you disconnected the printer? I don't even know if that will work.

If nobody comes along with a better solution, you might try the
alt.epson.printers newsgroup.

Be sure to post back if you figure this out.

EBL wrote:
> I disconnected because I needed to use another printer to make xmas
> cards, and I needed the desktop space.
>
> Yup--as you say, there is a definite order in which to connect the
> printer. I followed it exactly (about 6 times!).
>
>
>
> On Dec 24, 7:06 am, JD<J...@example.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> Why did you originally disconnect the Epson 3800 printer?
>>
>> The Epson software for my R280 has to be installed in a certain way. You
>> have to disconnect the printer from the USB port and then install the
>> software and wait for it to tell you to connect the printer.
>>
>> --
>> JD..- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>




--
JD..

In news:(E-Mail Removed),
JD <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> EBL wrote:
>> I had to disconnect my Epson 3800 printer (connected by a USB port)
>> from my Dell that is running XP Professional, SP3. When I
>> reconnected the printer, the computer will not recognize it. I get
>> the following error message: One of the USB devices attached to this
>> computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. Try
>> again, or try a different device.
>>
>> I have done the following:
>> Uninstalled the printer and all connected software (both in the
>> Install/uninstall area and in the printers area). Reinstalled
>> software and drivers using current version from Epson
>> Deleted all USB ports and rebooted; successfully reinstalled all USB
>> drivers
>> Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
>> works fine
>> Tested other printers on the same USB ports; they work fine
>> Contacted Epson, who said to do the above. Then they said it was a
>> operating system issue.
>>
>> Help!
>
> Why did you originally disconnect the Epson 3800 printer?
>
> The Epson software for my R280 has to be installed in a certain way.
> You have to disconnect the printer from the USB port and then install
> the software and wait for it to tell you to connect the printer.

Yes, that's common with many printers. Some don't really care, but some
actually do and fuss up if you don't follow the instructions. Checked the
manual?

Twayne



--
--
We've already reached
tomorrow's yesterday
but we're still far away from
yesterday's tomorrow.

In news:9ce30dba-ce93-4770-9656-(E-Mail Removed),
EBL <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> I had to disconnect my Epson 3800 printer (connected by a USB port)
> from my Dell that is running XP Professional, SP3. When I reconnected
> the printer, the computer will not recognize it. I get the following
> error message: One of the USB devices attached to this computer has
> malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. Try again, or try a
> different device.
>
> I have done the following:
> Uninstalled the printer and all connected software (both in the
> Install/uninstall area and in the printers area). Reinstalled
> software and drivers using current version from Epson
> Deleted all USB ports and rebooted; successfully reinstalled all USB
> drivers
> Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
> works fine
> Tested other printers on the same USB ports; they work fine
> Contacted Epson, who said to do the above. Then they said it was a
> operating system issue.
>
> Help!

Interesting.
Does Event Viewer give any hints or errors?
System Restore?
Do you keep disk images or current backups you can try?

I assume this must be a direct-connection from your description?

About the only thing you haven't mentioned is trying the printer on another
computer; any chance you can do that?

HOW does the computer not recognize the printer? Do you get the error as you
plug it into the USB, power it on, or when you try to use it?

Perhaps you're not setting the printer to default, and it's trying to print
on the other printer you did the cards on? But which is no longer there?

I think I'd remove everything to do with the other printer and see what
happens; maybe the two don't like each other somehow. Remove both hardware
and software.

I'd be real keen on getting it tested on another computer if at all
possible.
I don't see how the OS could be responsible, but, while the printer was
disconnected:
What was added to, installed on, or removed from the computer? You could
try reversing those as a long-shot if it was more than the other printer's
drivers.


HTH

Twayne
--
--
We've already reached
tomorrow's yesterday
but we're still far away from
yesterday's tomorrow.

Twayne wrote:
> In news:(E-Mail Removed),
> JD <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>> EBL wrote:
>>> I had to disconnect my Epson 3800 printer (connected by a USB port)
>>> from my Dell that is running XP Professional, SP3. When I
>>> reconnected the printer, the computer will not recognize it. I get
>>> the following error message: One of the USB devices attached to this
>>> computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. Try
>>> again, or try a different device.
>>>
>>> I have done the following:
>>> Uninstalled the printer and all connected software (both in the
>>> Install/uninstall area and in the printers area). Reinstalled
>>> software and drivers using current version from Epson
>>> Deleted all USB ports and rebooted; successfully reinstalled all USB
>>> drivers
>>> Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
>>> works fine
>>> Tested other printers on the same USB ports; they work fine
>>> Contacted Epson, who said to do the above. Then they said it was a
>>> operating system issue.
>>>
>>> Help!
>>
>> Why did you originally disconnect the Epson 3800 printer?
>>
>> The Epson software for my R280 has to be installed in a certain way.
>> You have to disconnect the printer from the USB port and then install
>> the software and wait for it to tell you to connect the printer.
>
> Yes, that's common with many printers. Some don't really care, but some
> actually do and fuss up if you don't follow the instructions. Checked
> the manual?
>
> Twayne
>
>
>

Why did you reply to me? My post was to confirm that Epson printers want
software first, printer connected second.


--
JD..

Twayne wrote:
> In news:9ce30dba-ce93-4770-9656-(E-Mail Removed),
> EBL <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>> I had to disconnect my Epson 3800 printer (connected by a USB port)
>> from my Dell that is running XP Professional, SP3. When I reconnected
>> the printer, the computer will not recognize it. I get the following
>> error message: One of the USB devices attached to this computer has
>> malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. Try again, or try a
>> different device.
>>
>> I have done the following:
>> Uninstalled the printer and all connected software (both in the
>> Install/uninstall area and in the printers area). Reinstalled
>> software and drivers using current version from Epson
>> Deleted all USB ports and rebooted; successfully reinstalled all USB
>> drivers
>> Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
>> works fine
>> Tested other printers on the same USB ports; they work fine
>> Contacted Epson, who said to do the above. Then they said it was a
>> operating system issue.
>>
>> Help!
>
> Interesting.
> Does Event Viewer give any hints or errors?
> System Restore?
> Do you keep disk images or current backups you can try?
>
> I assume this must be a direct-connection from your description?
>
> About the only thing you haven't mentioned is trying the printer on
> another computer; any chance you can do that?
>
> HOW does the computer not recognize the printer? Do you get the error as
> you plug it into the USB, power it on, or when you try to use it?
>
> Perhaps you're not setting the printer to default, and it's trying to
> print on the other printer you did the cards on? But which is no longer
> there?
>
> I think I'd remove everything to do with the other printer and see what
> happens; maybe the two don't like each other somehow. Remove both
> hardware and software.
>
> I'd be real keen on getting it tested on another computer if at all
> possible.
> I don't see how the OS could be responsible, but, while the printer was
> disconnected:
> What was added to, installed on, or removed from the computer? You could
> try reversing those as a long-shot if it was more than the other
> printer's drivers.
>
>
> HTH
>
> Twayne

I know you're trying to help, but he said:

>> Tested the epson printer plus cord on a different PC (a laptop); it
>> works fine.


--
JD..

Great suggestions. Unfortunately, the problem is still there.

> Does Event Viewer give any hints or errors?
No--went through that, and no hints
> System Restore?
Good suggestion. Unfortunately, for whatever reason the computer will
not restore to any of the dates before the installation of the other
printer using System Restore
> Do you keep disk images or current backups you can try?
My last backup was about a week before this happened
> I assume this must be a direct-connection from your description?
Yes, a USB connection. Have uninstalled and reinstalled all USB
drivers
> About the only thing you haven't mentioned is trying the printer on another
> computer; any chance you can do that?
Yes--it works fine on my laptop
> HOW does the computer not recognize the printer? Do you get the error as you
> plug it into the USB, power it on, or when you try to use it?
I get an error message that says One of the USB devices connected to
the printer malfunctioned, and windows does not recognize it. Try
again or replace the device. The Epson printer is the only thing
connected by USB to the PC.
> Perhaps you're not setting the printer to default, and it's trying to print
> on the other printer you did the cards on? But which is no longer there?
I have deleted all references to the other printer, both in the
printer menu and in Add/remove program.

> * *I think I'd remove everything to do with the other printer and seewhat
> happens; maybe the two don't like each other somehow. Remove both hardware
> and software.
Done.
> I'd be real keen on getting it tested on another computer if at all
> possible.
Done (see above). Works fine.
> * I don't see how the OS could be responsible, but, while the printer was
> disconnected: What was added to, installed on, or removed from the computer? *You could
> try reversing those as a long-shot if it was more than the other printer's
Only thing was a new NEC monitor, and I no longer have the older
monitor available.

EBL wrote:
> Great suggestions. Unfortunately, the problem is still there.
>
>> Does Event Viewer give any hints or errors?
> No--went through that, and no hints
>> System Restore?
> Good suggestion. Unfortunately, for whatever reason the computer will
> not restore to any of the dates before the installation of the other
> printer using System Restore
>> Do you keep disk images or current backups you can try?
> My last backup was about a week before this happened
>> I assume this must be a direct-connection from your description?
> Yes, a USB connection. Have uninstalled and reinstalled all USB
> drivers
>> About the only thing you haven't mentioned is trying the printer on another
>> computer; any chance you can do that?
> Yes--it works fine on my laptop
>> HOW does the computer not recognize the printer? Do you get the error as you
>> plug it into the USB, power it on, or when you try to use it?
> I get an error message that says One of the USB devices connected to
> the printer malfunctioned, and windows does not recognize it. Try
> again or replace the device. The Epson printer is the only thing
> connected by USB to the PC.
>> Perhaps you're not setting the printer to default, and it's trying to print
>> on the other printer you did the cards on? But which is no longer there?
> I have deleted all references to the other printer, both in the
> printer menu and in Add/remove program.
>
>> I think I'd remove everything to do with the other printer and see what
>> happens; maybe the two don't like each other somehow. Remove both hardware
>> and software.
> Done.
>> I'd be real keen on getting it tested on another computer if at all
>> possible.
> Done (see above). Works fine.
>> I don't see how the OS could be responsible, but, while the printer was
>> disconnected: What was added to, installed on, or removed from the computer? You could
>> try reversing those as a long-shot if it was more than the other printer's
> Only thing was a new NEC monitor, and I no longer have the older
> monitor available.
>
>

The other variable would be what brand of printer did you use when you
disconnected the Epson printer? Maybe you could remove it's drivers and
software? Any chance it's a HP printer?

I doubt changing monitors could create this problem but one never knows.

Twayne has a thing for Registry cleaners. I don't think that is a good idea.

--
JD..