USB port on printer finicky

  • Thread starter Thread starter gonzocanuck
  • Start date Start date
G

gonzocanuck

Hi group,

I don't know if there is a solution to this problem, but I thought I
would toss it out there. I have been using my HP PhotoSmart 8050 for
printing photos off my memory card for a while now. The other day I had
to actually print something from the computer, and although the driver
and printer software was installed, it was as if the printer could not
talk to the computer. When I plugged the USB cable into the computer,
there was no little "doo-doo" noise saying that new hardware was
detected. I thought it might be the USB cable, so I switched cables
around and still no luck. I have had a USB cable go bad before on my
scanner, oddly enough.

I looked around on the net and couldn't find an answer. I thought
perhaps the USB cable wasn't securely plugged in. It was securely
plugged into the computer end and seemed securely plugged in on the
printer end. However, when I pushed the printer end extra hard and held
it there, the computer was able to find the printer and I could print
*rolls eyes*

Is the USB port on the printer shot, or does it need cleaning? Is there
anything I can try? I did buy an extended warranty on the printer, so
it won't be a problem to take it back and get a new (and maybe better)
model. I have had this printer since December 2005, so why the port
would fizzle out is beyond me.

Thanks,
Christine
 
Hi group,

I don't know if there is a solution to this problem, but I thought I
would toss it out there. I have been using my HP PhotoSmart 8050 for
printing photos off my memory card for a while now. The other day I had
to actually print something from the computer, and although the driver
and printer software was installed, it was as if the printer could not
talk to the computer. When I plugged the USB cable into the computer,
there was no little "doo-doo" noise saying that new hardware was
detected. I thought it might be the USB cable, so I switched cables
around and still no luck. I have had a USB cable go bad before on my
scanner, oddly enough.

I looked around on the net and couldn't find an answer. I thought
perhaps the USB cable wasn't securely plugged in. It was securely
plugged into the computer end and seemed securely plugged in on the
printer end. However, when I pushed the printer end extra hard and held
it there, the computer was able to find the printer and I could print
*rolls eyes*

Is the USB port on the printer shot, or does it need cleaning? Is there
anything I can try? I did buy an extended warranty on the printer, so
it won't be a problem to take it back and get a new (and maybe better)
model. I have had this printer since December 2005, so why the port
would fizzle out is beyond me.

Thanks,
Christine
Click to expand...

Christine it appears that the USB socket connector has one or more broken
wires, or a solder joint has become loose. I would not attempt to fix it even
if you are OK with soldering. The circuit boards in modern printers use very
fine traces which are easy to damage and there is always the possibility of
thermal shock damaging a component on the board.
I believe you should get the printer replace under warranty.
Tony
 
Christine it appears that the USB socket connector has one or more broken
wires, or a solder joint has become loose. I would not attempt to fix it even
if you are OK with soldering. The circuit boards in modern printers use very
fine traces which are easy to damage and there is always the possibility of
thermal shock damaging a component on the board.
I believe you should get the printer replace under warranty.
Tony
Click to expand...

Hi Tony,

Thanks so much Tony. Now I can say to the shop what's wrong with it in
a technical way instead of the "thingie on the doohickey" :-) I have
never been rough with the cable at either end, I'm kind of disappointed
this happened. My husband can use a soldering iron, but no, I wouldn't
risk it either - I paid for the warranty, so I might as well use it and
let the store send it back to HP. Thanks again so much.

Best,
Christine
 
It could be a bad USB connector within the printer, or a bad cable.
Since you tried several cables, and the same problem occurred it is more
likely a bad connector on the printer itself. It can happen. USB
connectors only have 5 connections, the shielded metal end and 4
potential connections. The connectors are fairly flimsy on some
peripherals. Especially if the printer has ever had any rough handling
at that connector (like it has fallen or been pushed against a wall with
the USB cable attached. The USB connectors aren't nearly as solid at
the old Centronics parallel connectors were/are.

So, unfortunately, you may need to get a replacement or a repair.

Art
 
Hi Tony,

Thanks so much Tony. Now I can say to the shop what's wrong with it in
a technical way instead of the "thingie on the doohickey" :-) I have
never been rough with the cable at either end, I'm kind of disappointed
this happened. My husband can use a soldering iron, but no, I wouldn't
risk it either - I paid for the warranty, so I might as well use it and
let the store send it back to HP. Thanks again so much.

Best,
Christine
Click to expand...

Christine
You are welcome, the technical description is "The USB socket on the printer is
knackered :)", and I proved it by wiggling the cable (two cables) and it
sometimes works.
Please replace the printer!!!! They are unlikely to repair it but may have to
send it to the nearest authorised HP repair outlet for appraisal.
Tony
 
Might be worth trying another USB cable before you go to the trouble of
taking the printer back.
 
Ah I see you tried that.
Click to expand...

Heheh! No problem :-) When my scanner went dead, I was pretty down, I
couldn't afford a new scanner and it (an HP Scanjet) had always been so
reliable. I never thought a USB cable could fail at all.

Best,
Christine
 
It could be a bad USB connector within the printer, or a bad cable.
Since you tried several cables, and the same problem occurred it is more
likely a bad connector on the printer itself. It can happen. USB
connectors only have 5 connections, the shielded metal end and 4
potential connections. The connectors are fairly flimsy on some
peripherals. Especially if the printer has ever had any rough handling
at that connector (like it has fallen or been pushed against a wall with
the USB cable attached. The USB connectors aren't nearly as solid at
the old Centronics parallel connectors were/are.

So, unfortunately, you may need to get a replacement or a repair.

Art
Click to expand...

Thanks Art. I didn't know that USB connectors were that flimsy. My old
inkjet had a parallel port, and now that you mention it, it was
definitely solid. Although the printer was never dropped, it probably
did get a couple of bumps now and then.I am going to take it back
tomorrow and see what I can have done. Bit of a shame, since the
cartridges in it are fairly new. It'll be spitting out a ton of photos
tonight :-)

Best,
Christine
 
You are welcome, the technical description is "The USB socket on the printer is
knackered :)", and I proved it by wiggling the cable (two cables) and it
sometimes works.
Click to expand...

Ah! Good idea, when I take it in tomorrow I'll have to do that. The
salesman on the phone said that they would have to test it. The chain I
bought it from is called Future Shop, and I have never had to return
anything there before, so hopefully they are decent about it.
Please replace the printer!!!! They are unlikely to repair it but may have to
send it to the nearest authorised HP repair outlet for appraisal.
Click to expand...

Yes, I will definitely push for replacement. I need to have a printer,
and I can't wait for it to be repaired and even then it will take weeks
I'm sure.

Best,
Christine
 
Yes, I will definitely push for replacement. I need to have a printer,
and I can't wait for it to be repaired and even then it will take weeks
I'm sure.
Click to expand...

If talking to printer manufacturers, my experence with canon resulted
in advance replacement of user replaceable parts, followed by
replacement of the whole unit, and sort of wanted the old one back
(1day air + 2day air = week). Epson in my case elected for repair
rather than advance replacement. I don't know about HP as i've not had
an issue during the warranty period.

These extra warranties are not as cool as manufacturer warranties, you
don't really have as much of a choice how the warranty is handled, but
it looks like FS has that printer still in stock, and baised of what
i've read getting a flacky device like a printer replaced with the same
model shouldn't be a problem, though ususally they look at what you
paid for a printer and give you that much in terms of credit. You
might wish to check with HP as far as their solution for you is
concerned, they "may" be willing to ship a replacement to you, where FS
"could" have a replacement there.

But I agree with anyone else, not worth trying to fix if under any sort
of warranty. The moment you do something which causes a small problem
to be a big problem is a good reason to not honor a warranty.
 
Hi zakezuke!

That is a good idea. I'll check with HP first and then see what Future
Shop will offer. I never thought of it (what a great group this is!).

Things are, ahem, a little problematic anyhow as I seem to have lost
the Future Shop receipt. It's probably on the kitchen table or taped to
the fridge. I have been carrying around this Future Shop receipt in my
wallet for months because my printer purchase also entitled me to 10%
off a cartridge purchase, but here it turned out to be for something
else. Doh :-D

Best,
Christine
 
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