DSF

no sorry
long day i explained that wrong
when i plugged the usb lead for the printer into my laptop with out the laptops power lead the printer worked
then when i would plug the laptops power lead in, printer usb still connected it automatically stop reconising the printer...
as i said it was strange... but i have just doubled check and all seems fine now
ill be back here in 2 hours if it starts again
i looked at them power hubs you mention tho,
is it worth me having one just incase?

NikGrey;81093 wrote:The only thing I can think of in your case is, are you using the same USB socket each time ? sometimes if I plug the plotter into the wrong socket is is not seen (Which only ever happens after I have moved things about).

yes thats right nik
i use the same one well the only one that is left working on my laptop now...
i need new everything to be fair but it will all have to do till after the Christmas

thats interesting about powered hubs -i have always had issues with unpowered hubs. The only times a powered hub has caused grief was when it just stopped talking to the outside world. That said I have managed to avoid using a usb hub for a couple of years now.