[G4] G4 refuses to recognize printer and scanner

[Anthony Kluck]

Well, folks, here's an update on my 
G4-not-communicating-with-the-scanner-and-printer situation: it seems 
like it all might boil down to an issue with my USB hub rather than a 
software issue with the G4 and peripherals. However, the issue with the 
hub seems transient, and I'm not sure what that means.

Over a week ago my cursor froze while I was in Mail (the first freeze 
I've had in OS X, btw), and suddenly my keyboard and mouse were 
inactive (they are usually plugged into my monitor's USB sockets. In 
troubleshooting, I plugged the keyboard/mouse into the USB hub which 
reactivated them (which at least told me it wasn't the keyboard/mouse 
that were at fault). After some optimizing and restarts and wondering, 
"what NOW?" I found the USB ports in the monitor worked once again. But 
it was around that same time that the printer and scanner stopped being 
recognized.

Just out of curiosity I plugged the printer into the second USB port on 
the monitor and the scanner into the left USB socket on the keyboard 
and now the G4 recognizes them. Hrrmph! And I thought I'd been thorough 
in eliminating the USB hub as a factor in the equation. I guess not.

Of course, in the interim I had re-downloaded and re-installed the 
applicable software for both peripherals (yet again...<SIGH>), so 
there's no telling whether that had an additional positive effect on 
the outcome.

Fact is, though, that communication is restored between the G4 and 
peripherals, which is a HUGE relief. Now I'm wondering if the USB hub 
is the issue or the USB port in the G4 (a situation I have yet to 
determine). I guess I'm very fortunate that I have enough ports 
(between those on the monitor and the keyboard) to run all my 
peripherals for the time being.

Thanks to all of you who responded and offered your experience. I must 
admit I'm a trifle embarrassed I didn't catch the problem before 
posting my inquiry, but as I said, the problem with the USB hub seems 
to be transient. For all I know in a few days it may work again 
<shrug>...

Cheers,
Anthony



On Jul 8, 2005, at 5:25 PM, Anthony Kluck wrote:

> Hi experts,
>
> After I upgraded to OS X 10.3.9 from OS 9.2.2 back in May I began 
> having difficulty getting the Mac to recognize my printer and scanner. 
> I downloaded the appropriate drivers from the Epson site for my 1270 
> inkjet and 1200U Scanner, and was able to use both scanner and printer 
> until last week. Now, the G4 won't recognize either printer or scanner 
> at all, whreas I was able to get both to work (I was scanning in 
> Photoshop 7 (OS X native) and printing from both Photoshop and Quark 
> 4.1 (Classic).
>
> I should mention that before the Mac stopped recognizing the printer 
> altogether, the inkjet would someimtes get part-way through a job and 
> then quit; the printer-status window would state that the Mac stopped 
> sending the job. Reason unknown. These were not particularly large or 
> complicated jobs, either. I used to print similar work without issue 
> on the inkjet in OS 9.
>
> I keep running System Optimizer X to repair permissions, clear the 
> cache, and do all sorts of other maintenance tasks hoping it will 
> "fix" something the way it often does when Mail hangs on launch 
> (inexplicably), but no luck.
>
> Both pieces of equipment worked fine previously, and aren't 
> "worn-out", so I'm really flummoxed by this. I've looked over the 
> obvious, and now I'm in need of expert assistance. As stated, the 
> printer and scanner are both in very good shape; the cables check out, 
> etc.
>
> Anyone have any ideas of what's wrong -- and of any preventive 
> maintenance I can perform to prohibit this in the future?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Anthony
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Power Mac G4 (AGP)
> CPU Type: PowerPC G4  (2.9)
> Number Of CPUs: 2
> CPU Speed: 450 MHz
> L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
> Memory: 640 MB
> Bus Speed: 100 MHz
> Boot ROM Version: 4.2.8f1
> HD Capacity: 38.34 GB
> Hitachi DVD-ROM GD-7000
> Iomega ZIP 100
> Fantom 80 GB Firewire HD
> EPSON 1200U Scanner
> EPSON 1270 Inkjet Printer
> OS X 10.3.9
>
> PS: I haven't even tried to install my Pioneer 109 yet what with all 
> the trouble I've been having in the past weeks with the Mac hanging on 
> apps and now not recognizing my scanner and printer...one of these 
> days I'll get around to that.
>
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