New printer - am I using wrong usb cable?

vansboy

Hi All!

Just bought a Canon mp540 printer/scanner but can't get it to fully load the operating system.

I think it's cos we've used a usb cable that we already had, instead of buying a usb2 cable.

Do you reckon this is where were going wrong - it's taken all day, before Mrs V would let me ask - think I might be proven correct!!??

If I am, any recommended better quality cable, we should buy?

Thanks in advance!

VB

kwikbreaks

There is no difference between a usb1 and usb2 cable in terms of connections (and probably not in quality either usually).

Try the cable you have with something else if possible before buying another. The last printer I bought didn't work and I had to get it swapped.

damo24

The only difference between a USB 1 and 2 lead is the the rate at which the data is transferred.

This would not cause a problem in your case. If you find that your cable is faulty go to a local independent computer shop where you will pick up a cable for a few pounds. PC World will charge you the best part of £15 for the same cable.

gaming_guy

have you tried plugging it into a different usb port?

andy2004

rules for connecting a all-in-one printer,

1. Dont connect the cable from the computer to the printer until after you have installed the drivers.
2. Dont use add printer from the start menu, use the cd which came with the printer to install the drivers, after inserting the cd into the dvd/cd-rom tray, an autorun program should run, and you should get a screen up in a matter of seconds with options on what you want to install.
Drivers, OCR for the scanner, printer settings, photocopy software, etc,

Install only the drivers first, and only connect the printer up when the installer for the drivers tells you to connect it and it only turn it on when it tells you to. Manufacturers can be a pain sometimes. I had to do the same thing for my espon dx4800 all-in-one printer, using the add printer wizard didnt work correctly, as the drivers where in a exe file on the cd.
After installing the drivers, you should be prompted to reboot, do so.
Now your printer should be installed correctly, you can install the other software at your leisure.

If the computer can not see the printer after it has told you to connect the usb cable and turn on the printer, chances are the usb cable could be faulty or the printer. also it could be the USB port, if however you have plugged in other usb devices into the same socket and they have been seen then that rules that out. I would test the usb sockets by using a usb flash memory / mp3 player. sometimes the front usb sockets are not connected if the system was self-built, and sometimes the rear sockets can get damaged.

totalsolutions

Very good stuff from andy2004, I can only add that if all that fails then locate Universal Serial Bus controller under Device Manager and select and delete them. Possibly the drivers are incorrect / failed. Then in Device Manager select Scan for changes and the correct drivers will be installed.