Windows failing to recognise printer

[Coatimundi]

I've had an HP Deskjet 2510 for about a year. Right from the start there have been times when I get a message that the device has not been recognised, but this usually goes away next time I log in. When it hasn't, during the last twelve months I've uninstalled and reinstalled a number of times which generally fixed the problem. About six weeks ago, it didn't.

Acting on advice from the HP forum I have changed the USB port, adjusted the setting so that the ports don't 'time out' on a currently unused device and treated the printer to a new USB cable. All useless, except the day when I turned it on and it worked! Recently I was away for several days. On my return the printer worked fine but on the second day I got the 'device not recognised again.' To date I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling again and using a different port. None of these have worked.

This is for home use only , but obviously I wouldn't have a printer if I didn't want to print things. My clever brother in law, who unfortunately lives nowhere near me, says it sounds like a windows issue.

I should say that I'm not particularly computer literate, but I can generally get through clear instructions if anyone can offer any help, please.

 

[Berton]

Is the printer's power saving feature causing the issue? Might try turning it off in the installed software, try page 45 in this document: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03333598.pdf

 

[Coatimundi]

I have tried this, it didn't work. My son in law, who is pretty knowledgeable in these matters, spent some time trying various things and finally got some pages printed. Today I turned on my machine and got a message that a driver was installing and had been successfully installed. I then had a list come up which seemed to confirm that all was well. I tried to print something and once again the PC and the printer apparently cannot communicate. Furthermore, the PC now cannot recognise it. This is so frustrating, is there any printer out there that this doesn't happen to and that doesn't cost the earth to either buy or run!