USB Device Not Recognized when replacing a USB cable for the scanner

[dc2000]

We have this fax/copier/scanner in the office that is connected via two "spliced" USB cables (using USB extension cable.) That cable has a tendency of disconnecting when an office lady puts her bag under the desk (because of the splice.) So I decided to buy a single 10ft USB cable. This one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LSRZEK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But when I plug the scanner in using that cable (into exact same USB port) our Windows 7 shows this error:

USB Device Not Recognized

One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it...

But then if I unplug the new cable and plug back the old spliced cable, it works fine.

This new order came with 3 cables. I tried all three of them. And none worked. I checked them visually and they look very similar to the old cable.

It's a USB2 device/port.

Any idea what's going on?

 

[Ranger4]

It would seem that someone has reorganised the wiring order in your spliced USB cables to suit the scanner. If that is the case then it may not have the standard USB wiring connections.

 

[dc2000]

No. I set those up myself (a while back.) Those are just two USB cables. One usual scanner cable and the second one is the USB extension cable. There's no magic to it.

 

[Megahertz07]

The problem is related to cable length and quality.
Even USB 2.0 operates on 480 Mb/s on twisted cables.

 

[mrjimphelps]

Here are some things you could try:

• USB over Ethernet -- this consists of two USB adapters, connected by a long Ethernet cable. Ethernet gives you a lot longer cable length than USB. This would allow you to reroute the cable away from the lady with the bag.
• Powered USB hub (has its own power supply; doesn't depend on the power coming over the USB wire) to connect two standard USB cables. This would be better than using a USB extension cable, because the powered hub would reset your length to zero; in other words, your maximum length would be for each cable plugged into the hub, rather than the entire cable run. This would also be better than using a long USB cable, for the same reason.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Here are some things you could try:

• USB over Ethernet -- this consists of two USB adapters, connected by a long Ethernet cable. Ethernet gives you a lot longer cable length than USB.
• Powered USB hub (has its own power supply; doesn't depend on the power coming over the USB wire) to connect two standard USB cables. This would be better than using a USB extension cable, because the powered hub would reset your length to zero; in other words, your maximum length would be for each cable plugged into the hub, rather than the entire cable run. This would also be better than using a long USB cable, for the same reason.

USB over Ethernet is archaic technology that was iffy at best and usually resulted in USB 1.1 speeds when it worked.

I would suggest the OP try the USB cables he bought on other hardware to rule out defective cables. Other's who bought the cables had the same problem (see here).

The OP's USB cable is only 10', well under the 16' maximum for USB 2.0. A powered hub would be of benefit only if the OP's fax/scanner/copier was powered only by USB (not likely) and the new USB cable had a higher resistance than the old one (again, not likely).

 

[mrjimphelps]

USB over Ethernet is archaic technology that was iffy at best and usually resulted in USB 1.1 speeds when it worked.

Some of the comments on Amazon.com concerning USB over Ethernet said that. I thought that perhaps they were simply reviewing buggy devices.

I would suggest the OP try the USB cables he bought on other hardware to rule out defective cables. Other's who bought the cables had the same problem (see here).

The OP's USB cable is only 10', well under the 16' maximum for USB 2.0. A powered hub would be of benefit only if the OP's fax/scanner/copier was powered only by USB (not likely) and the new USB cable had a higher resistance than the old one (again, not likely).

You've answered some questions I had. I wasn't absolutely sure about powered USB hubs solving this issue.