Usb Help

[DuzyEverwork]

Hi
I have a printer/ USB problem.
I have an Acer Aspire (7 yo Windows 7) and when I connect the printer it goes through the whole Windows rigmarole of finding the drivers etc and installs - it prints once and then tells me that the printer is not recognised as one of the USB ports has malfunctioned. If I go through the whole process again it will print once etc etc Groundhog Day.
I have just ordered a new HSB lead in the vain hope that spending £4 will save me from Windows 10 but I have a nasty suspicion it won't!
I have had to have an external card reader as a couple of months ago a card jammed in the port so I have a feeling the laptop is just past it's sell by date and the USB ports are failing.
Could the problem with the printer be that Windows 7 is no longer supported or can anyone suggest a solution?
I am really not wanting to go through the trauma of getting a new laptop and hate Windows 10 with a passion (husband has got one with it on) although I know you can make it look like an original version, the thought of transferring all my stuff over will have me running for the hills even if I knew how to do it, husband knows even less!
If you have a suggestion please treat me gently I am an OAP with average computer speak!!

[Bobbisox1]

Hi Duzy, what make is the printer? Then you can check wether it's still compatible to W7

[Old_Geezer]

Have you tried a different USB socket ?
Have you checked that you have the latest compatible printer driver at the printer manufacturer's website ?
How about turning everything off, waiting a few minutes, then turning it all back on again.
You've checked that the lead is correctly push home in both the laptop and printer ?
Good luck with the new lead.

[Old_Geezer]

PS is your username a reference to your husband ;-)

[DuzyEverwork]

Thanks both, it's an HP printer and is compatible to W7.
I have tried all the USB sockets, in fact one of them has a wireless mouse inserted so I used that one thinking I would be safe as if it made the mouse work it should do for the printer!!
When I install the printer Windoze searches for the latest drivers, so hope I am OK on that score too.
The thing that perplexes me the most is that it will print once as soon as it's installed then sulks and won't do so again.
Perhaps one of you guys could advise me on the issue that if I delete the printer from printers and devices on the control panel will that remove the printer from the laptop entirely or will all the downloaded info still be in the computer somewhere (registry??)
as from the instrutions the printer can be connected wirelessly but I don't know which of the 2 options to chose is with or without the software installed.
We live on the coast and this is going to be going for a swim very soon!!
Duzy Everwork is me but Duzshee Everwork didn't have the right ring

[Old_Geezer]

Unsure what the downloaded info is. Deleting from printers and devices simply removes the computer's recollection of it ever being connected. It should either detect a "new device" automatically and install the software MS is aware of to drive it (should be latest drivers but may not be), or you can tell it to search for new hardware if it doesn't do so automatically.

[Bobbisox1]

Yes ,try uninstalling it the reinstalling, it might be that one of the drivers or more needs updating, look online for the model you have if you don't have the installation CD,follow the download instructions and if you have a good Internet signal where you live,then connect wirelessly,if not ,have you tried connecting with an Ethernet cable? From laptop to printer, this can be rather restrictive though , good luck

[Old_Geezer]

You couldvtry connecting wirelessly, but my few occasions trying to do that were head scratching failures. I was probably doing something wrong somehow. I figured it ought to be straightforward.

[bhg481]

One of my devices (printer or scanner) has problems if I install the drivers from the supplied CD; I have to go to the manufacturer's website and download the drivers from there. I suggest you uninstall your printer via the Device Manager, go to the manufacturer's website and download the drivers and than re-install the printer.
Incidentally, I did have a USB lead go bad on me; very confusing as it's something you wouldn't expct, so trying a new one is not silly.

[Buenchico]

Wireless connections are often the easiest these days. Uninstall everything you've installed so far. Go to the website of the printer manufacturer and download the installation software for the drivers alone (without all of the other stuff that they try to land you with). Install those drivers onto your printer. Then follow the instruction for connecting your printer to your router using 'WPS'. It should then work.