Why does my printer "disappear" when I change ports/unplug the USB

[Guest]

I am trying to install a HP PSC 2175 on a Dell Demintion 4550 (WinXP). I
loaded the software then plugged the printer into the USB port and the Device
Manager found and loaded the hardware/software.

Here is where the problem begins. When I unplug the USB cable, the printer
disappears from my "Installed Printers" window. It also disappears when I
change the port (in the printer properties) settings.

The printer is hooked to a print server so I can print from my laptop, or
either of the kid's computers (well one, the other is the Dell we are talking
about). I have tried to set up the Dell just like my laptop is set up, but I
don't understand why the printer disappears? On my laptop, once I install a
printer, it stays installed, no matter how many times I unplug the USB cable
or change port settings. As a matter of fact, I have two printer icons in
the installed printer window that went to printer heaven several years ago.

Any help would be greatly apperciated.

 

[Guest]

Just for the sake of chatting?
You say you install the printer thru the USB port?( which is a programed
pathway into yer computer),There by configuring it to be used that way..
If you disconnect the printer from the lap top will it still print with out
being plugged into anything?
The port you referred to is the pathway into yer computer?
If I pull the monitor plug, i expect to see it go black?
I guess I'm saying that if you install the printer thru the usb port
program, then pull plug you in effect disconnect it?
I just looked at my printer configuration, and it's hooked up, the installed
version is still in my programing.But It's not thru the usb port, it has its
on plug in slot(pathway)maybe called a serial plug?
I hope chatting helped yer insight some???
Good luck.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

USB ports "seems" to their own configurations each. If you install the
drivers onto one port and then change the port, the new USB port would
probably not have the drivers installed onto its configuration.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the responses Carvie and Yves.

I guess I need to explain it a little better. In the past, whenever I have
installed a printer, the printer icon stays in the "Installed printer" window
(but you can't print to it) even if it is unplugged.

I am trying to install the HP printer on my daughter's computer so she can
print to it as a network printer. The computer is wired to a Linksys
gateway/router (with wireless capability). The printers are in my office
upstairs hooked to a wireless print server.

On my laptop, I installed the HP printer by physically connecting to the
printer via USB port. I then took the printer upstairs and put it where my
Epson (a P.O.S. by the way, but that's another story) was- connected to the
print server. I then went in and clicked on the HP printer properties and
simply changed the port that the printer uses and all worked as it should.
Even if I unplug everything from the laptop and carry it out to the shop, the
printer still shows to be installed, but I can't print to it.

Now on the Dell where I am having the problem, I installed the printer just
as I did on the HP laptop. But as soon as I unplug the printer USB cable, it
disappears from the Installed Printer window. When I plug it back in, the
Device manager goes back through the new hardware detected/installation
process.

Correct me if I am wrong, but once the Device manager finds and installs the
drivers for new hardware, you should be able to plug and unplug them without
the drivers being reinstalled each time.

I did have to reinstall the O.S. on the Dell a few weeks ago, maybe I
didn't something reinstalled correctly.

 

[Guest]

Did my explaination help describe the problem?

USB ports "seems" to their own configurations each. If you install the
drivers onto one port and then change the port, the new USB port would
probably not have the drivers installed onto its configuration.

 

[Guest]

Bump. Still looking for advice.

 

[Ron Sommer]

It doesn't come back if you plug the USB cable back in?