USB device not recognised

[Guest]

In my office, we are trying to share one printer with 2 PCs. We connected
via an USB data switch box. One PC is using win xp pro while another is
using win98se. Win98se works fine and printing was smooth. But win xp pro
couldn't. Whenever we connect the device to winxp pro, an error message will
show. Saying "One of the USB devices attached to this computer has
malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognise it." As I was also using
winxp(home edition) at home, I brought it home to test. It worked perfectly
fine at home, no trouble to print.

Checked with the vendor, they said most probably the device is not
compatible with winxp or we must find & load the driver for the device(data
switch box). The USB data switch box does not come with a driver and its not
branded. At home, my system can easily detects the device without need to
install any drivers.

Please, anybody can help on this issue. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Most printers do not like being connected to a switchbox. Connect it to a
USB port on the motherboard but only AFTER installing the software for the
printer.

If both PCs must use the same printer, network them together.

 

[Uwe Sieber]

In my office, we are trying to share one printer with 2 PCs. We connected
via an USB data switch box. One PC is using win xp pro while another is
using win98se. Win98se works fine and printing was smooth. But win xp pro
couldn't. Whenever we connect the device to winxp pro, an error message will
show. Saying "One of the USB devices attached to this computer has
malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognise it." As I was also using
winxp(home edition) at home, I brought it home to test. It worked perfectly
fine at home, no trouble to print.

Checked with the vendor, they said most probably the device is not
compatible with winxp or we must find & load the driver for the device(data
switch box). The USB data switch box does not come with a driver and its not
branded. At home, my system can easily detects the device without need to
install any drivers.

USB switch boxes usually are for USB 1.1 only. If your printer supports
USB2 and your XP computer too than it would explain why the Win98
computer works because Win98 doesn't support USB 2.0.

So bring the XP computer down to USB 1.1. Either you find a setting in
the BIOS for this but this would affect all ports. Or you get an old
USB 1.1 Hub and put it in between the XP computer and the switch.


Uwe

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies!

To Uwe Sieber:
Must I get the hub that only supports USB 1.1 or I can get those which can
support both USB 1.1 & 2.0?

Thanks again!

 

[Uwe Sieber]

Definitely an stone age hub that supports USB 1.1 only.
An USB 2.0 hub would not help because there would be
still an USB 2.0 high speed transfer thru the switch.


Uwe

 

[Guest]

Managed to get an USB Hub stating supports USB 1.0 & 1.1 but it is also USB
2.0 compliant. Tried it anyway, still couldn't work. Devastating.... HELP!

 

[Guest]

The issue has been resolved! Was trying on all USB ports on the PC earlier
and unsuccessful. Realised I forgotten to try on all the ports from the hub.
Managed to connect to a slower speed port from the hub & the PC detected the
device. Now the 2 PCs can print with ease. Thanks alot, Uwe Sieber! You
made my day...

 

[Uwe Sieber]

Hmm... Never seen an USB hub with different types of ports (USB 1
and 2). It's possible that one port has a slightliy better signal
quality but that's a matter of luck and may be different tomorrow...
When you see a real USB1 hub somewhere, give that guy an USB2 hub
in change and use this USB1 hub for your printer.
Or have a look in the feets of large CRT displays. There are often
USB1 hubs included that can be easily removed and used standalone.


Greetings from Germany

Uwe

 

[Guest]

The Hub I got stated it supports USB 1.0 & 1.1 plus its 2.0 compliant. Since
then been working fine, so far so good. When I connected to that particular
port, xp displayed a msg saying I can connect to a faster port. Seems like
that 'port' is supposed to be lower speed (either USB 1.0 or 1.1). Really
appreciate your advice. Even DELL could not resolved the issue.

 

[Uwe Sieber]

The Hub I got stated it supports USB 1.0 & 1.1 plus its 2.0 compliant. Since
then been working fine, so far so good. When I connected to that particular
port, xp displayed a msg saying I can connect to a faster port. Seems like
that 'port' is supposed to be lower speed (either USB 1.0 or 1.1). Really
appreciate your advice. Even DELL could not resolved the issue.

If Windows says that it's working at low speed, then
it's true. But I still don't think that there are
USB2 hubs with special USB1 only ports. When an USB2
says that it supports USB1 too it only means that you
can attach USB1 devices too. But they will not bring
down an USB2 device to USB1 operation by default.
I'm sure that's it's pure luck. I may change when the
XP computer boots next time.


Greetings from Germany

Uwe