When once my XP computer connected to my printer via the USB adapter cable. It no 
longer does. XP is failing to load in the driver from it's own database and I am 
given this yellow exclamation mark error:

"USB device not recognised. One of the USB devices has malfunctioned and windows 
does not recognise it. Click this message."

System Information does not recognise this as a problem. But device manager lists 
as an unknown device, where uninstalling achieves nothing, roll back not possible 
(no back-up). 

All cables and other connections are functioning properly with the only possible 
exclusion of the USB adapter cable which makes the connection between USB and the 
25 pin cable of the printer, as is the printer, plus the printer driver has been 
re-insalled. 

Any way of correcting a malfunctioned driver? Perhaps using the command prompt?

Re-installing the printer driver has done away with another persistent issue, as 
XP always required loading this in (like an uninstall) everytime I chose to use the 
printer.

Consulting tech support for both the printer and the cable leads to naught. 

My windows 98 computer is also experiencing a similar problem, but this time system 
information gives and error code - 33 which according to MS means:

"The message text that is displayed for this error is specific to the driver or enumerator. 
If the driver does not provide information as to why it did not work, the following 
message is displayed: 

This device isn't responding to its driver. (Code 33) 

For more information, contact your hardware vendor." 

Solution button: None 

This code typically is displayed when the hardware has failed. "

Jonathan.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

In a nutshell, the cable's interface has probably failed, or there is a problem with 
the driver needed for it to operate .  These types of adaptor cables a very problematic. 
 They have a small amount of electronics in them that fail.  You can't just connect 
a parallel port to a USB port.  It takes an interface (in the cable)and a driver 
for the hardware to be able to know how to communicate.  Windows is telling you that 
either the driver or more probably the interface/adaptor cable has failed.  If it 
doesn't work on another computer, then problem solved, there is your answer.  Also 
be aware that all printers are not compatible with these cables and can be the source 
of the failure, especially if it is a laser or an older printer.

It's best to keep the connectors the same and not use these types of cable if at 
all possible..  The hardware vendor is your best source for troubleshooting.  They 
should know, and if they can't help, not much you can do but buy hardware that won't 
require such adaptor cables.  If it means replacing an old printer with a USB printer 
(if you don't have an LPT port available and can't add an extra LPT card to the system), 
then that's what you may have to do!  Been there, done that many times..  :-(







On Monday, April 28, 2008 at 4:32 am, Jonathan wrote:

>When once my XP computer connected to my printer via the USB adapter cable. It no 

>longer does. XP is failing to load in the driver from it's own database and I am 

>given this yellow exclamation mark error:

>

>"USB device not recognised. One of the USB devices has malfunctioned and windows 

>does not recognise it. Click this message."

>

>System Information does not recognise this as a problem. But device manager lists 

>as an unknown device, where uninstalling achieves nothing, roll back not possible 

>(no back-up). 

>

>All cables and other connections are functioning properly with the only possible 

>exclusion of the USB adapter cable which makes the connection between USB and the 

>25 pin cable of the printer, as is the printer, plus the printer driver has been 

>re-insalled. 

>

>Any way of correcting a malfunctioned driver? Perhaps using the command prompt?

>

>Re-installing the printer driver has done away with another persistent issue, as 

>XP always required loading this in (like an uninstall) everytime I chose to use 
the 

>printer.

>

>Consulting tech support for both the printer and the cable leads to naught. 

>

>My windows 98 computer is also experiencing a similar problem, but this time system 

>information gives and error code - 33 which according to MS means:

>

>"The message text that is displayed for this error is specific to the driver or 
enumerator. 

>If the driver does not provide information as to why it did not work, the following 

>message is displayed: 

>

>This device isn't responding to its driver. (Code 33) 

>

>For more information, contact your hardware vendor." 

>

>Solution button: None 

>

>This code typically is displayed when the hardware has failed. "

>

>Jonathan. 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks alot. I have just received the new software, just in case it is this. So, 
will see. I have my doubts too. I agree that it is most likely the cable. I will 
check with the hardware ventor if the cable is compatible. All I trying to do is 
make use of an old printer that function very well.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have now installed the new software (drivers) and the cable is still unable to 
connect. So as expected it is the cable. It is worth noting that I have been able 
to use this cable for over a year, so that shows some degree of compatibility. If 
I bought an identical replacement cable do you think this would work seeing that 
the old one did for over a year? Still, awaiting a response from Hewlett Packard 
regarding a compatible cable for the printer, plus existing cable's compatibility.

One last thing to mention about windows and the cable drivers. Under this round of 
problems I had always lost the LPT2 option (allowing the cable to connect) from the 
printer' properties under windows 98. Plus USB-To-Print disappeared from device manager 
in 'ports' & errored in 'USB' (error below) for W98, whilst for XP it errored in 
'USB' giving no code where 'ports' never existed.

W98 USB Error: 'Unknown Device' 'Windows cannot instal this USB Device. This device 
may not be functioning properly. Check to be sure that all connections are secure, 
or contact your hardware vendor for assistance.' Plus code 33 in system information: 

Code 33 = "The message text that is displayed for this error is specific to the driver 
or enumerator. If the driver does not provide information as to why it did not work, 
the following message is displayed: 

This device isn't responding to its driver.  

For more information, contact your hardware vendor." 

Solution button: None 

This code typically is displayed when the hardware has failed." 

Not that disimilar from XP!

Does this addition information alter your thoughts in anyway? Probably not.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I doubt HP will offer any assistance.  They don't support any cable adaptors and 
provide no drivers that work with them.  Either the cable has failed or the printer 
has failed.  The only way to troubleshoot the printer is to connect it to a parallel 
port and load the printer drivers.  If it still doesn't work, you have a bad printer. 
 If it does work, then you most likely have a bad cable.  I would have to have the 
cable, printer and software and test them to offer any assistance on software and 
LPT port issues in the operating system but Windows will not load drivers for devices 
that fail or can't be identified, further suggesting a hardware failure.

Using the power on test print on the printer won't troubleshoot the printer's interface. 
 It may test print but still not communicate with the computer IME...

What model printer is it??







On Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 5:29 am, Jonathan wrote:

>I have now installed the new software (drivers) and the cable is still unable to 

>connect. So as expected it is the cable. It is worth noting that I have been able 

>to use this cable for over a year, so that shows some degree of compatibility. If 

>I bought an identical replacement cable do you think this would work seeing that 

>the old one did for over a year? Still, awaiting a response from Hewlett Packard 

>regarding a compatible cable for the printer, plus existing cable's compatibility.

>

>One last thing to mention about windows and the cable drivers. Under this round 
of 

>problems I had always lost the LPT2 option (allowing the cable to connect) from 
the 

>printer' properties under windows 98. Plus USB-To-Print disappeared from device 
manager 

>in 'ports' & errored in 'USB' (error below) for W98, whilst for XP it errored in 

>'USB' giving no code where 'ports' never existed.

>

>W98 USB Error: 'Unknown Device' 'Windows cannot instal this USB Device. This device 

>may not be functioning properly. Check to be sure that all connections are secure, 

>or contact your hardware vendor for assistance.' Plus code 33 in system information: 

>

>Code 33 = "The message text that is displayed for this error is specific to the 
driver 

>or enumerator. If the driver does not provide information as to why it did not work, 

>the following message is displayed: 

>

>This device isn't responding to its driver.  

>

>For more information, contact your hardware vendor." 

>

>Solution button: None 

>

>This code typically is displayed when the hardware has failed." 

>

>Not that disimilar from XP!

>

>Does this addition information alter your thoughts in anyway? Probably not.

>

>
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I already know that I can print if I disconnect the cable - it worked fine.  But 
that will only function under w98. HP were useless as expected. The model is a LaserJet 
1100 which I am aware is an old model. It is a waste not to try to get the most from 
it.

One last point, if the cable had worked for over a year in the past, do you think 
a replacement one will work too? 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

If it's the cable that failed, then a new one should work.  Laser printers are more 
sensitive though.  For instance, you can't use mechanical printer switches on them 
without eventually or instantly having issues or failures, unlike ink jets.  It's 
hard to tell just how they will act or how long they will operate with certian control 
devices IME.  About the only suggestion from here would be to try a new cable and 
see if that fixes the problem.  If it doesn't, then either the printer's interface 
has gone bad, you have a software issue or less likely, a new cable that is also 
defective.

I think I would check the drum life and see if it is worth putting more money into 
if the drum may have to be replaced in the near future.  On some lasers, it is cheaper 
to replace the printer (as prices have come down) than get a new drum and put it 
in an old machine with other worn parts in it (gears, rollers etc).  Basically up 
to you on what is best for your needs I would say.

You can get monochrome network lasers for under $200 now (color under $500).  Much 
more conveniant and allows network printing without being hooked up to a computer. 
 I've converted everything to network as printers have worn out.  No more sharing 
printers and having to have a particular machine running just to use a particular 
printer and the software drivers for printing seems much more stable.  Most printers 
can use network printer adaptors too, so that may be an option instead of a special 
cable that may fail again..  






On Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 5:42 am, Jonathan wrote:

>I already know that I can print if I disconnect the cable - it worked fine.  But 

>that will only function under w98. HP were useless as expected. The model is a LaserJet 

>1100 which I am aware is an old model. It is a waste not to try to get the most 
from 

>it.

>

>One last point, if the cable had worked for over a year in the past, do you think 

>a replacement one will work too?  

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks alot. I might go ahead now a buy a new cable. it is only around £6/$11. The 
printer works fine, so nothing is wrong with the drum. It is just the interface (cable, 
driver or windows - most likely first two - but more likely the cable)

Jonathan.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

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