Why will my computer NOT communicate with my printer?

I've seen this happen twice and it drove me nuts trying to figure it out. Lexmark printers, as well as some HP's aren't backwards compatible with older USB (USB1.0) slots. You might be running into an issue of using a USB 2.0 device on a USB 1.0 device. this is normally ok except for the fact that some USB 1.0 slots are underpowered. the simple solution is to buy a $20 USB hub. Make sure you get the powered kind (the kind that plugs into a wall) and plug your printer into that.

So you do not think it has anything to do with the firewall, because that is what lexmark kept telling me? The computer is kinda old but not a dinosaur! Thanks for the help...

which firewall are you using?  

aol security...

ok, it's a version of mcafee's firewall (mcafee personal firewall)
it shouldn't affect your printing ability, but to be sure, you can restart the computer with mcafee disabled and then try printing again.
click on the start menu and select "run"
type in "msconfig" and press enter.
check the "diagnostic" mode and select ok. disconnect all your internet cables and restart the computer.
this will restart your computer is a very basic mode. your antivirus/firewalls/etc will be turned off.
if you can print in this mode, then something running is preventing you from printing.

to change your computer back into normal mode.
open up msconfig again and check "normal mode"

thanks for the help...I will try it and let you know, I may have to contact you again!

nothing worked...i tried turning mcafee off and still nothing! also the usb ports on the computer are 2.0 so it wouldnt need a hub...HELP

ok, there are still some other things to try. you still may need a usb hub to supply extra power, but we'll try to hold off on that until after we've tried some other things.
1st. are you using windows XP, or Vista?
2nd. are all the windows updates up to date? (visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and do all the custom updates as well.)
3rd. double check the device manager settings and reinstall the USB Controller.

how to #3 in XP.
plug your printer in and power it on.
open the control panel and switch to classic view if you haven't already done so.
open "System"
click on the "hardware" tab.
click on "Device manager"
note anything with a yellow or red exclamation mark and post it.
go all the way down and expand the USB (universal serial bus controllers) section.
delete all universal host controllers. **note (if you are using a usb keyboard and mouse, they will stop working, restarting the computer will fix this and reinstall all the root hubs as well)