[G4] G4 refuses to recognize printer and scanner

[keithw]

Anthony Kluck wrote:
> 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.

I'll just insert a couple of comments here.
I have found that when you have more than two USB devices, it's a good 
idea if you use a powered USB hub.
You don't mention whether your hub is merely a multiple port feed from 
an existing USB port, or it's powered with it's own AC transformer.
I solved a number of mysterious USB problems by going to a powered hub.

keith whaley

> 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