A920 USB Device not recognized

Read my previous posts to see the trouble i have been having..

Dell is sending out a tech to replace my motherboard tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. Don't go by what the guys on the email tell you. You have to use a little common sense, since they are just using canned responses and a shot-gun approach. THEY WANTED ME TO REFORMAT MY HARD DRIVE.

I have a quick question for you. Had you just installed the new cartridge when it quit? Have you printed something (anything) with the new ink cartridge installed? Is the new cartridge a new Dell cartridge, or some off-brand one?

I'm just trying to form a possible connection here. We've just heard so many complaints about the ink cartridge holder, and about as many random communication problems... I'm curious if the two are related: new printers tend to have a software indicator (that often doesn't work) related to the ink levels in the cartridge.

No.  I have not replaced the ink cartridges yet.  I just bought them because I was almost out of ink, but it died before I needed to replace them.

I don't think it is a printer problem.  As I said, it works fine with my other computer.

Ah. Okay, well if it's not a printer problem, I'd ask for a brief summary of the differences between the computer systems:

1. Are the computers both running the same version of windows?

2.  Who made the respective USB devices (you can find this in Device Manager in windows)?

3. What is the BIOS chipset (seen on bootup; if there's a big brandname screen, ESC usually clears it.) Who makes the BIOS? Is there an option to configure it in any way on either machine?

4. Is the "PNP OS Installed" setting different between the two machines?

5. Have we confirmed that it isn't a question of what USB cable is connected to the printer? (I may have already repeatedly asked you this question--but I work with probably a dozen different people per day in different threads on this forum, and my brain can't hold all the details... sorry.)

6. Have you tried removing and reinstalling the Dell printer software?

These questions should make for a good start on trying to figure out why it doesn't work right on the Dell machine.

A920stinks,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

As you stated, if the printer works on another system, then it is unlikely to be a problem with the printer. 

If it works after you reinstall the USB root hub, again, it is unlikely to be a problem with the printer, and software becomes a very likely cause.  A hardware problem with the system should not respond to deleting and reinstalling drivers though.  You may need to reinstall the Operating System, or it may be a problem with the system hardware, most likely the USB ports.  If your system has both front and back USB ports, please try both and see if there is any difference.  If you have one available, try a powered USB hub.  If service needs to be arranged, you will need to contact Technical Support again.

Did you get your motherboard replace?  Did it fix the problem?

Thanks,

Rollie,

Reinstalling the root hub fixed the problem once, but it died about 30 minutes later.  I don't think it is the OS because I restored it back to a working date, and it still did not work.  I've tried every USB port on the computer and it does the same thing on all of them.  I don't have a powered USB hub.  Can you send me one?

Thanks,

As per http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=A940&message.id=2252 , apparently they did replace the motherboard in his computer, and it did not fix the problem. Fascinating.

If anybody is following this.  I was able to fix my problem by installing a D-Link 2-Port USB 2.0 PCI Adapter.  My A920 works great through this USB hub.  Dell needs to figure out what is wrong with their USB hubs and fix it.

Praise God that is over.