USB printer won't recognise

[tassa]

I have a lexmark x4250 that will not install on 98se, as the install disk won't run until it has communicated with the printer, I have followed the advice here: http://www.cdrom-guide.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268369&highlight=USB (thanks insomniac), but no go. The machine is a Digital 5150, with standard Intel USB, I've put every new driver and BIOS update into it, but sadly it's already up to date. We run a charity offering low cost PCs to low income earners, and we've got 150 of these Digitals, the x4250 is sold at the Post Office, and the combination of the 2 is giving me nightmares. Thanks very much.

[Insomniac]

Windows 98 was never great with USB, and didn't fully support USB2 until XP.

Anyway, do any other devices run from this port, and is it showing in Device Manager with no problems?

[tassa]

Sadly it does recognise less complex USB devices, and I have got it to the point where the actual device is recognised (used SiSoft Sandra 2002), I'm only using USB 1.1 and there are no obvious IRQ conflicts. The main problem is in the process which printer manufacturers require the device to be installed (plug powered up device into USB when prompted) as I can only get the device recognised at startup, not when the OS is running (the incredibly mundane"unrecognised device" is installed at this point). The dot4 device is installed, but not accessible. I have installed and updated all the device drivers and the BIOS, but still no joy. Having an unpleasantly large number of these particular machines to disburse onto the unsuspecting public, I am tearing my hair out searching for an answer. Thanks for your assistance.

[Insomniac]

Unfortunately, I can't really offer anything else without having it here in front of me and trying different things.

This really sounds like a driver or compatibility problem. The only thing I could suggest is to try another driver, and check the manufacturers site for any assistance or information.

[tassa]

Sadly, Insomniac, I feel that the basic incompatibility theory is the right one, so we're going to go with USB PCI cards, they're very cheap these days. I'll try one out and see how it goes.
.....Oh, and one more thing, Mullumbimby is where else in the world to live. Sooo much of an improvement on Sydney!!!
Thanks for your time catch up later.