USB Cable too long?

Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an USB
switch by a cable of 1 meter. One output of the switch is connected with
my pc by a cable of 1.8 meter. Scanner works fine. The other output of
the switch is connected to the pc of my wife (W7 Pro 64b, mobo: ASUS
P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc the scanner is
recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned on. Scanning is
impossible, it gets stuck, the led on the scanner keeps flashing, and
nothing further happens. Doesn't make a difference when I use Photoshop
or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable of
1 meter, it works fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch
is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then
working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke

On 08/30/2018 08:00 AM, Fokke Nauta wrote:
Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an USB
switch by a cable of 1 meter. One output of the switch is connected with
my pc by a cable of 1.8 meter. Scanner works fine. The other output of
the switch is connected to the pc of my wife (W7 Pro 64b, mobo: ASUS
P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc the scanner is
recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned on. Scanning is
impossible, it gets stuck, the led on the scanner keeps flashing, and
nothing further happens. Doesn't make a difference when I use Photoshop
or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable of
1 meter, it works fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch
is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then
working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke
Swap ports on the switch. Put your wife's cable into the port you are
using. It could be a faulty switch.

On Thu, 30 Aug 2018 14:00:32 +0200, Fokke Nauta wrote:

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then
working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Swap the cables to the pcs over to establish if you have a faulty
cable. The maximum length of a USB cable is something like 15 metres so
the problem is elsewhere and could even be the usb port on your wifes
pc.

--
Regards - Rodney Pont
The from address exists but is mostly dumped,
please send any emails to the address below
e-mail rpont (at) gmail (dot) com

"Fokke Nauta" wrote

| Could it be that total cable length is too much?
| Why is the scanner then working allright with my pc?

I wouldn't dismiss the other two answers, but I have
found that hardware varies. And some devices will
tell you in their manuals what the length of a cable
can be.

We have a high-end Epson photo printer and a
budget, everyday printer. (I think the latter may
be HP.) Only one can fit near the computer, so
there's a 12' USB cord for the other. The Epson
simply won't tolerate that cord. The everyday
printer doesn't mind at all.

So it could be the ports, the switch, the systems....
But it's also possible that you've set it up at the
high end of the cable length it will tolerate. On the
bright side, all of the ideas presented so far are easy
to test.

On 30/08/2018 14:48, Big Al wrote:
On 08/30/2018 08:00 AM, Fokke Nauta wrote:
Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an
USB switch by a cable of 1 meter. One output of the switch is
connected with my pc by a cable of 1.8 meter. Scanner works fine. The
other output of the switch is connected to the pc of my wife (W7 Pro
64b, mobo: ASUS P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc the
scanner is recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned
on. Scanning is impossible, it gets stuck, the led on the scanner
keeps flashing, and nothing further happens. Doesn't make a difference
when I use Photoshop or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable
of 1 meter, it works fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch
is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner
then working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke
Swap ports on the switch. Put your wife's cable into the port you are
using. It could be a faulty switch.


Thanks.
Already tried that. Didn't make a difference. Changed the cables as well.

Fokke

On 30/08/2018 14:56, rp wrote:
On Thu, 30 Aug 2018 14:00:32 +0200, Fokke Nauta wrote:

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then
working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Swap the cables to the pcs over to establish if you have a faulty
cable. The maximum length of a USB cable is something like 15 metres so
the problem is elsewhere and could even be the usb port on your wifes
pc.


I already changed the cables and used different ones. Didn't make a change.
To my opinion as well the allowed length of the USB cables may exceed
very well the 3.60 meters I use.

Fokke

On 30/08/2018 15:14, Mayayana wrote:
"Fokke Nauta" wrote

| Could it be that total cable length is too much?
| Why is the scanner then working allright with my pc?

I wouldn't dismiss the other two answers, but I have
found that hardware varies. And some devices will
tell you in their manuals what the length of a cable
can be.

We have a high-end Epson photo printer and a
budget, everyday printer. (I think the latter may
be HP.) Only one can fit near the computer, so
there's a 12' USB cord for the other. The Epson
simply won't tolerate that cord. The everyday
printer doesn't mind at all.

So it could be the ports, the switch, the systems....
But it's also possible that you've set it up at the
high end of the cable length it will tolerate. On the
bright side, all of the ideas presented so far are easy
to test.




If the scanner is the problem, that it can't handle the length of the
USB cables, it would be a problem with my pc as well. Same type of
cables, same length. But my system works well with the scanner.
Tried different USB inputs on my wwife's pc. Didn't make a difference.
Motherboard perhaps? Too old? USB 2.0 inputs, whereas my pc has USB 3.0
inputs.
Should this make the difference?

Fokke

On 08/30/2018 09:26 AM, Fokke Nauta wrote:
On 30/08/2018 15:14, Mayayana wrote:
"Fokke Nauta" wrote

| Could it be that total cable length is too much?
| Why is the scanner then working allright with my pc?

Â* I wouldn't dismiss the other two answers, but I have
found that hardware varies. And some devices will
tell you in their manuals what the length of a cable
can be.

Â* We have a high-end Epson photo printer and a
budget, everyday printer. (I think the latter may
be HP.) Only one can fit near the computer, so
there's a 12' USB cord for the other. The Epson
simply won't tolerate that cord. The everyday
printer doesn't mind at all.

Â* So it could be the ports, the switch, the systems....
But it's also possible that you've set it up at the
high end of the cable length it will tolerate. On the
bright side, all of the ideas presented so far are easy
to test.




If the scanner is the problem, that it can't handle the length of the
USB cables, it would be a problem with my pc as well. Same type of
cables, same length. But my system works well with the scanner.
Tried different USB inputs on my wwife's pc. Didn't make a difference.
Motherboard perhaps? Too old? USB 2.0 inputs, whereas my pc has USB 3.0
inputs.
Should this make the difference?

Fokke
But you say your wife's pc works if hooked straight in. So the port is
okay. The only variable in this argument is the switch and your wife's
USB port not compatible. I can't believe the switch only works on USB
3 but that could be an idea if you have docs on it. But most USB3 are
backwards compatible.

Real head scratcher.

"Fokke Nauta" wrote

| If the scanner is the problem, that it can't handle the length of the
| USB cables, it would be a problem with my pc as well.

Not necessarily, if it's just near the max length
that the scanner can handle. But it's just one
idea to rule out.

| Motherboard perhaps? Too old? USB 2.0 inputs, whereas my pc has USB 3.0
| inputs.
| Should this make the difference?
|

I've never seen problems with different machines,
except that sometimes they seem to require using
them in order. That is, #3 port may seem dead if
there's nothing plugged into #2 port.

As Al said, it works when you plug it in direct. So
doesn't that only leave the switch, a cord, or cord
length as variables? Maybe try switching the
switch connections? I've never used a USB switch,
so I don't know about that, but I wonder if there
could be some kind of priority glitch. For instance,
your PC turned on and somehow getting "first dibs"
on the connection. I guess you could test that by
turning off your PC and/or unplugging your PC but
still leaving the other hooked up via the switch.

Fokke Nauta wrote:
Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an USB switch by a cable
of 1 meter. One output of the switch is connected with my pc by a cable of 1.8 meter.
Scanner works fine. The other output of the switch is connected to the pc of my wife (W7
Pro 64b, mobo: ASUS P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc the scanner is
recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned on. Scanning is impossible, it
gets stuck, the led on the scanner keeps flashing, and nothing further happens. Doesn't
make a difference when I use Photoshop or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable of 1 meter, it works
fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then working allright
with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke

It's possible that the scanner is not compatible with the unknown model of König usb hub.
From the König website:
"This switch is not compatible with devices that requires a constant connection to a
computer. Usually these are devices like multifunctionals or laser printers."

On 8/30/2018 8:26 AM, Fokke Nauta wrote:
On 30/08/2018 15:14, Mayayana wrote:
"Fokke Nauta" wrote

| Could it be that total cable length is too much?
| Why is the scanner then working allright with my pc?

* I wouldn't dismiss the other two answers, but I have
found that hardware varies. And some devices will
tell you in their manuals what the length of a cable
can be.

* We have a high-end Epson photo printer and a
budget, everyday printer. (I think the latter may
be HP.) Only one can fit near the computer, so
there's a 12' USB cord for the other. The Epson
simply won't tolerate that cord. The everyday
printer doesn't mind at all.

* So it could be the ports, the switch, the systems....
But it's also possible that you've set it up at the
high end of the cable length it will tolerate. On the
bright side, all of the ideas presented so far are easy
to test.




If the scanner is the problem, that it can't handle the length of the
USB cables, it would be a problem with my pc as well. Same type of
cables, same length. But my system works well with the scanner.
Tried different USB inputs on my wwife's pc. Didn't make a difference.
Motherboard perhaps? Too old? USB 2.0 inputs, whereas my pc has USB 3.0
inputs.
Should this make the difference?

Fokke
USB 3 puts out more power than USB 2, get a powered USB hub.

Fokke Nauta wrote:
Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an USB
switch by a cable of 1 meter. One output of the switch is connected with
my pc by a cable of 1.8 meter. Scanner works fine. The other output of
the switch is connected to the pc of my wife (W7 Pro 64b, mobo: ASUS
P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc the scanner is
recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned on. Scanning is
impossible, it gets stuck, the led on the scanner keeps flashing, and
nothing further happens. Doesn't make a difference when I use Photoshop
or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable of
1 meter, it works fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch
is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then
working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke

Will it work when plugged into a USB2 port on your computer? (all my
computers have both)

--
G Ross

On 30/08/2018 19:06, G Ross wrote:
Fokke Nauta wrote:
Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an USB
switch by a cable of 1 meter. One output of the switch is connected with
my pc by a cable of 1.8 meter. Scanner works fine. The other output of
the switch is connected to the pc of my wife (W7 Pro 64b, mobo: ASUS
P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc the scanner is
recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned on. Scanning is
impossible, it gets stuck, the led on the scanner keeps flashing, and
nothing further happens. Doesn't make a difference when I use Photoshop
or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable of
1 meter, it works fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch
is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner then
working allright with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke

Will it work when plugged into a USB2 port on your computer? (all my
computers have both)


Good idea!
Yes, the scanner works allright.

Fokke

On 30/08/2018 16:08, Paul in Houston TX wrote:
Fokke Nauta wrote:
Hi all,

We have an Epson flatbed scanner, V600 Photo. It is connected to an
USB switch by a cable
of 1 meter. One output of the switch is connected with my pc by a
cable of 1.8 meter.
Scanner works fine. The other output of the switch is connected to the
pc of my wife (W7
Pro 64b, mobo: ASUS P7P55D). This cable is also 1.8 meter. On this pc
the scanner is
recognized, the system bleeps when the scanner is turned on. Scanning
is impossible, it
gets stuck, the led on the scanner keeps flashing, and nothing further
happens. Doesn't
make a difference when I use Photoshop or the Epson utility for scanning.
When I connect the scanner straight away to my wife's pc with a cable
of 1 meter, it works
fine.
I use Belkin USB cables, thought they are good quality. The USB switch
is König, passsive.

Could it be that total cable length is too much? Why is the scanner
then working allright
with my pc?
What type of cable should I order to make sure the scanner works
allright with my wife's pc?

Fokke

It's possible that the scanner is not compatible with the unknown model
of König usb hub.
From the König website:
"This switch is not compatible with devices that requires a constant
connection to a computer. Usually these are devices like
multifunctionals or laser printers."


You might be right. But then again, why does it work on my pc and not on
my wife's pc?
And isn't a USB not just an ordinary switch, which connects one wire or
the other? Should be fine, shoudn't it?

Fokke

On 30/08/2018 18:36, NotMe wrote:
On 8/30/2018 8:26 AM, Fokke Nauta wrote:
On 30/08/2018 15:14, Mayayana wrote:
"Fokke Nauta" wrote

| Could it be that total cable length is too much?
| Why is the scanner then working allright with my pc?

I wouldn't dismiss the other two answers, but I have
found that hardware varies. And some devices will
tell you in their manuals what the length of a cable
can be.

We have a high-end Epson photo printer and a
budget, everyday printer. (I think the latter may
be HP.) Only one can fit near the computer, so
there's a 12' USB cord for the other. The Epson
simply won't tolerate that cord. The everyday
printer doesn't mind at all.

So it could be the ports, the switch, the systems....
But it's also possible that you've set it up at the
high end of the cable length it will tolerate. On the
bright side, all of the ideas presented so far are easy
to test.




If the scanner is the problem, that it can't handle the length of the
USB cables, it would be a problem with my pc as well. Same type of
cables, same length. But my system works well with the scanner.
Tried different USB inputs on my wwife's pc. Didn't make a difference.
Motherboard perhaps? Too old? USB 2.0 inputs, whereas my pc has USB
3.0 inputs.
Should this make the difference?

Fokke
USB 3 puts out more power than USB 2, get a powered USB hub.

To my knowledge an USB hub is to connect multiple USB devices to one pc.
What I'm doing, is to connect one USB-device with two pc's. Not
simultaneously, but either one or the other. One can't use a hub for that.

Fokke