HP C4180 USB extension connection problem

[marek.agh]

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?

 

[Al Bundy]

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?

 

[Tony]

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

 

[marek.agh]

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.

 

[Tony]

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

 

[marek.agh]

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.

 

[Tony]

Yes, you are right.


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