HP C4180 USB extension connection problem

I have a connection problem with new HP C4180 under Win XP (512 MB
RAM), when I use an extension USB v2 cable (otherwise not).

When I connect the printer and tower directly, meaning printer's USB
plug into tower's USB slot, printer's working perfectly.
When I use three meter extension USB-USB cable 'tween printer and
tower, no software's able to use printer:
- scanning's not possible - connection error dialog appears in HP
software
- printer queue gets just first 24 - 72 bytes through (could be missing
reply from printer?)
I doubt it's issue of failure of USB extension cable, 'cause the cable
connects USB memory drives flawlessly. And there are two non-working
cables. The cable is high speed USB 2.0.

Could it be a software issue or are there some other cable
pre-requisites I don't meet?

marek.agh@gmail.com wrote:
> I have a connection problem with new HP C4180 under Win XP (512 MB
> RAM), when I use an extension USB v2 cable (otherwise not).
>
> When I connect the printer and tower directly, meaning printer's USB
> plug into tower's USB slot, printer's working perfectly.
> When I use three meter extension USB-USB cable 'tween printer and
> tower, no software's able to use printer:
> - scanning's not possible - connection error dialog appears in HP
> software
> - printer queue gets just first 24 - 72 bytes through (could be missing
> reply from printer?)
> I doubt it's issue of failure of USB extension cable, 'cause the cable
> connects USB memory drives flawlessly. And there are two non-working
> cables. The cable is high speed USB 2.0.
>
> Could it be a software issue or are there some other cable
> pre-requisites I don't meet?

marek.agh@gmail.com wrote:
>I have a connection problem with new HP C4180 under Win XP (512 MB
>RAM), when I use an extension USB v2 cable (otherwise not).
>
>When I connect the printer and tower directly, meaning printer's USB
>plug into tower's USB slot, printer's working perfectly.
>When I use three meter extension USB-USB cable 'tween printer and
>tower, no software's able to use printer:
>- scanning's not possible - connection error dialog appears in HP
>software
>- printer queue gets just first 24 - 72 bytes through (could be missing
>reply from printer?)
>I doubt it's issue of failure of USB extension cable, 'cause the cable
>connects USB memory drives flawlessly. And there are two non-working
>cables. The cable is high speed USB 2.0.
>
>Could it be a software issue or are there some other cable
>pre-requisites I don't meet?

What is the total length of the USB extension cable and the USB cable that it
is attached to? USB2 has a maximum recommended length of 5 metres without using
intermediate hubs or similar. Some devices do not work well when getting close
to the 5m limit.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

> What is the total length of the USB extension cable and the USB cable that it
> is attached to? USB2 has a maximum recommended length of 5 metres without using
> intermediate hubs or similar. Some devices do not work well when getting close
> to the 5m limit.
> Tony
> MS MVP Printing/Imaging

Thanks for an advice.

USB-USB extension cable is 3 m long.
USB-printer (part of printer package) has got 1.8 m.

The printer manual says HP recommends using extensions 3 m long or less
to avoid minimalise noise due to potential electromagnetic fields.
Well, I've got 3 m exactly (and can't get the printer closer to PC than
that). Hoped it'll be fine.

Are you sure the length is the problem? According to manual statement,
I'd await scan / image to print data noise, like noise grains upon the
scanned image, not an connection error.

marek.agh@gmail.com wrote:
>> What is the total length of the USB extension cable and the USB cable that it
>> is attached to? USB2 has a maximum recommended length of 5 metres without
>>using
>> intermediate hubs or similar. Some devices do not work well when getting
>>close
>> to the 5m limit.
>> Tony
>> MS MVP Printing/Imaging
>
>Thanks for an advice.
>
>USB-USB extension cable is 3 m long.
>USB-printer (part of printer package) has got 1.8 m.
>
>The printer manual says HP recommends using extensions 3 m long or less
>to avoid minimalise noise due to potential electromagnetic fields.
>Well, I've got 3 m exactly (and can't get the printer closer to PC than
>that). Hoped it'll be fine.
>
>Are you sure the length is the problem? According to manual statement,
>I'd await scan / image to print data noise, like noise grains upon the
>scanned image, not an connection error.

The total length of your cable is 4.8 metres and that is the critical length,
the extension cable length is not the issue.
I cannot be sure that length is the problem but it is very close to 5m and I
read from your post that it works OK without the extension, is that right?
If you need to use a long USB cable you can buy a powered USB hub and put it
between the two cables or buy a USB extender.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

> I cannot be sure that length is the problem but it is very close to 5m and I
> read from your post that it works OK without the extension, is that right?

Yes, you are right.

> If you need to use a long USB cable you can buy a powered USB hub and put it
> between the two cables or buy a USB extender.

Thank you for the advice (sorry for a delay). When I use one 5m
printer-USB cable, the printer works.

marek.agh@gmail.com wrote:
>> I cannot be sure that length is the problem but it is very close to 5m and I
>> read from your post that it works OK without the extension, is that right?
>
>Yes, you are right.
>
>> If you need to use a long USB cable you can buy a powered USB hub and put it
>> between the two cables or buy a USB extender.
>
>Thank you for the advice (sorry for a delay). When I use one 5m
>printer-USB cable, the printer works.

Excellent. USB can be very finicky approaching maximum length. Using one cable
eliminated some losses involved with the centre connectors I guess.
Thank you for keeping us informed.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging