I keep getting this annoying fault with my printer. It is an Epson 760 connected to the PC by a USB cable. I originally couldn't get it to work at all (Windows wouldn't detect it properly). Eventually I got to work but I keep getting an intermittent error ("communication error - check cables etc") which prevents printing.

The problem seems to originate, I think, from the USB port (on the PC). The plug seems slightly loose in both sockets (there are 2). If I get the error message, switching off and moving the plug and restarting, frequently works.

I've also noticed that running Windows 98 utility USBview sometimes shows no device connected.

So how do I fix this?

1. New cable? I think the cable itself is ok - relatively expensive Belkin type.

2. Software problem? Already added MS patch to supposedly fix "USB device doesn't work in 98 SE" - made no difference.

3. USB port fault? Socket seems loose. Difficult to fix since port is fixed to mother board - PC out of warranty.

Any ideas gratefully received.

D.

D. do u only have 1 port? usually theres 2.

I'd try and remove/reinstall the Epson USB device driver.
Look in control panel/system/devices and see if the device has a ! next to it.
Give it a go http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

InvisibleMan

There is 2 ports and yes I've tried both. One's as bad as the other.

mega-stream

Tried that before. Device drivers are ok. No problem in Control Panel. Its as if the PC is unaware that the printer is connected.

D.

DJB

i had exactly same problems as you are having, didn't manage to resolve them ended up connecting via paralel port (my epsom is usb and para) have you tried it on a friends or any other usb stuff on yours.

Si

Mr Cookie

I think that your suggestion is the best option. I obviously would prefer to use USB if it was reliable because of the faster transfer speed. However I supect that I will never resolve this problem without changing to a parallel cable.

BarryK

I used to do what you suggested and it did work until I installed a IEEE 1394 card (to download camcorder pictures). Now more often than not, the system crashes (MS-DOS blue screen etc).

Thanks for all your suggestions.

D.

DFon't ask me why, but USB sometimes wants stuff to be plug and play. BUT every time you use it. That is to say every time you use it, you have to plug before you can play!!

Next time it happens, don't switch off, unplug the USB and then put it back in, if you're quick, you'll see the hour glass flash up on your cursor as the PC registers the presence of the device.

Pain in the bum I know, but it should save you restarting it all the time. And I would suspect preferable to trashing your OS and upgrading the M/B BIOS!! Which might not make any difference!!!

D.

i had problems with my Epson Stylus Scan 2500 on USB. Not as bad as yours, but when shutting down, 9 times out of ten the PC would not automatically power off.

I bought a USB hub, and that appears to have fixed the problem (once everything had detected itself http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif ).

Can you try (borrow) a USB hub to see if it helps?

mb

i had same problem with My Epson 680 and the UBS port, like mr cookie as well
i ended up just using the ordinary port instead.

Phil

Ditto - Epson 750. I remember reading something about MS/Epson USB issues...but the parallel's OK http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Richard