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Why does my printer work with only one of my USB ports?

Posted on 08/27/2010 12:27:11 PM PDT by rudy45

I have an HP Laserjet4P printer that I connect to my Dell Vostro 1320 laptop via a parallel-to-USB cable. If I plug this cable into three of my four USB ports, I cannot print. I see, in my printer queue, the document, plus the remark "use printer offline." Only when I plug into the fourth USB port do I succeed in printing. When I do so, the "use printer offline" message disappears, the printer light blinks and prints and the queue entry disappears.

What is going on? Thanks.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: computer; printer; usb
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1 posted on 08/27/2010 12:27:14 PM PDT by rudy45
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To: rudy45
Ok, I'll bite.

Why does your printer only work with one of your USB ports?

(Just kidding. Sorry I can't help. But you are logged on, right?)

2 posted on 08/27/2010 12:29:21 PM PDT by Retired Greyhound
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To: rudy45

This seems like a typical problem. I’ve had the same sort of problem.

Hey. If you find a port where your printer works - then use it.

Problem solved.


3 posted on 08/27/2010 12:30:43 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (PALIN/MCCAIN IN 2012 - barf alert? sarc tag? -- can't decide)
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To: rudy45

I have a busted USB port on laptop. Will anything else work on that port?


4 posted on 08/27/2010 12:31:31 PM PDT by WakeUpAndVote
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To: rudy45

And why do they call them APARTments? ... when they are all stuck together?


5 posted on 08/27/2010 12:32:20 PM PDT by earlJam
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To: rudy45

Simple...That port in a conservative port...always working, doing it’s job 24/7....the other 2 well you can guess :)


6 posted on 08/27/2010 12:33:03 PM PDT by BubbaJunebug
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To: rudy45

Is the fourth port the one on the left or the one on the right? If it is the one on the right, it means that you have purchased a hard-core Republican HP printer. If it is the one on the left, it is a yellow-dog Democrat HP printer. That’s all.


7 posted on 08/27/2010 12:35:04 PM PDT by No Truce With Kings (I can see November from my house.)
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To: rudy45

Dig the dirt daubers out of the others and get back to me.

(Sorry, it’s Friday)


8 posted on 08/27/2010 12:35:09 PM PDT by freedomlover (Make sure you're in love - before you move in the heavy stuff)
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To: rudy45
You're lucky - when I was a kid we used to dream about having a printer that would work on one USB slot!

Those were the days.

9 posted on 08/27/2010 12:36:45 PM PDT by freedomlover (Make sure you're in love - before you move in the heavy stuff)
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To: rudy45
Each USB port has its own address.

When you installed the printer drivers in the beginning you had the printer plugged in to the port that now works. If you open the PRINTERS icon in Control Panel, and then access PROPERTIES for the printer, then click on PORTS you will see the specific USB address in the list of ports.

If you must use another port then uninstall the printer driver, plug the printer in to another USB port, then reinstall the printer drivers.

10 posted on 08/27/2010 12:36:58 PM PDT by OldMissileer (Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, PK. Winners of the Cold War)
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To: rudy45

The key is knowing what USB stands for: Uniform Senile B@stard. It just so happens that the one USB port that *does* work hasn’t forgotten yet how to talk to the printer. That too shall pass.


11 posted on 08/27/2010 12:37:38 PM PDT by FourPeas (God Save America)
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To: freedomlover

LOL.


12 posted on 08/27/2010 12:37:55 PM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: rudy45
I'm not sure what's wrong but I guarantee that if you can't fix it with one of these then it can't be fixed.


13 posted on 08/27/2010 12:37:57 PM PDT by paulycy (Demand Constitutionality Now: Islamo-Marxism is Evil.)
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To: OldMissileer

Some people just gotta be a stick in the mud....


14 posted on 08/27/2010 12:38:51 PM PDT by FourPeas (God Save America)
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To: rudy45

Gremlins living inside your computer are tearing up the USB connections. You’ll need a licensed gremlin remover. My suggestion is to put plastic tarp under the area he will be working in to catch all the blood.


15 posted on 08/27/2010 12:38:57 PM PDT by Artemis Webb (Barbour 2012)
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To: OldMissileer

Dude. You just HAD to go and give a serious sensible answer in the midst of all our fun.

Killjoy.


16 posted on 08/27/2010 12:39:12 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (PALIN/MCCAIN IN 2012 - barf alert? sarc tag? -- can't decide)
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To: paulycy

Where’s the metal coat hanger?


17 posted on 08/27/2010 12:39:38 PM PDT by FourPeas (God Save America)
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To: rudy45
Its not the USB port. First you need to reboot your electical system.

Like this.


18 posted on 08/27/2010 12:43:05 PM PDT by freedomlover (Make sure you're in love - before you move in the heavy stuff)
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To: FourPeas

Wow. I haven’t seen a metal coat hanger in a LONG time. Bobby pins, either, although my wife never really used them so maybe they’re out there still.

Bent paper clip? Would that do?


19 posted on 08/27/2010 12:43:35 PM PDT by paulycy (Demand Constitutionality Now: Islamo-Marxism is Evil.)
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To: FourPeas
Where’s the metal coat hanger?

Dell does not authorize, condone or otherwise smile upon the use of such high tech tools.

20 posted on 08/27/2010 12:44:00 PM PDT by DeFault User
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