A triple-boot system fails to recognize my USB printer

C

chermesh

Geek Trainee
My system is a triple-boot system (winxp pro, Hebrew win7 ultimate, English win7 ultimate). My printer is a plug&play USB printer (Brother MFC-5440CN). The printer is set to provide printing, scanning and faxing services on winxp and printing only on win7 and so it did until two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago, for reason I'm not aware of, none of the three operatng systems recognize the printer. Logically, this is either a printer related problem or a harware related one. It doesn't sound like a software problem.

I took the printer to a Brother service shop and it was found working with no problems.

If so, it's a pc hardware problem (BIOS? USB?)

The componenet of my system are:

Here's my system's specifications:

· OS - WinXP Pro, Windows 7 (Hebrew version, English MUI), Windows 7 (English version)
· x86 32-bit
· What was original installed OS on system? - WinXP Pro
· Is the OS an OEM version or full retail version? full retail version
· Age of system (hardware) - 6 months
· Age of OS installation - have you re-installed the OS? 5 months. No reinstall
· CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E7500 @ 2.93GHz
· Video Card - NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT
· MotherBoard - GigaByte P43-ES3G
· Power Supply - brand & wattage - Seasonic SS-500ET Active PFC 500W Oem

What's wrong?
 
1. Update your system BIOS. BIOS is especially important to making sure that USBs work and that they're recognized by your operating system. You can update your BIOS by simply clicking on the "Update" function on your computer. Check with your computer manufacturer for more information.
2. Update Windows
. Windows makes constant updates. A lot of them are extremely important for a number of different reasons-security updates, Windows Media Player updates, and other things like that. But there are also constant updates to the USB support component of Windows. Make sure that you have the latest version of Windows so that you can have the best possible USB support.
3. Running Windows XP? Do you know if Windows itself is damaged? If you don't know, then run the System File Checker.
4. Conduct a virus scan.
5. Review all of the software that comes with your USB. If it's not installed right, and if it's not updated, you've got a problem right there.

Update your USB hardware drivers. Talk to your computer manufacturer, or the USB port manufacturer. This second option is for you if your USB port is part of an add-in card.
 
Thanks for the detailed suggestions. Unfortunately, Brother failed to develop drivers for win7 and therefore, it "kindly" send the users to the MS printing drivers. Stll, allas, these drivers manage to provide only minimal printer services, no scanning, no faxing, just printing.
Under these circumstances, there's not too much to be done (other than buying a new printer...)
 
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