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Why is my printer not listed when using the lsusb command?

I've got a HP Photosmart C4780 connected via USB on Ubuntu 12.04. I've installed hplip but I still but this does not appear to have solved the problem. The printer does not show up in the printers listed.

How can I add the printer?

Thanks.

Edit - using dmesg | tail -f:

Before connecting the printer

[15358.944014] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/all, error -71
[15359.015787] usb 1-1.4: new high-speed USB device number 12 using ehci_hcd
[15359.119684] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/all, error -71
[15359.191166] usb 1-1.4: new high-speed USB device number 13 using ehci_hcd
[15359.223171] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15359.354968] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15359.530444] usb 1-1.4: new high-speed USB device number 14 using ehci_hcd
[15359.562288] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15359.694434] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15359.797753] hub 1-1:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 4

After plugging in:

[15498.352933] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/all, error -71
[15498.424509] usb 1-1.4: new high-speed USB device number 16 using ehci_hcd
[15498.528717] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/all, error -71
[15498.600251] usb 1-1.4: new high-speed USB device number 17 using ehci_hcd
[15498.632144] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15498.763804] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15498.939336] usb 1-1.4: new high-speed USB device number 18 using ehci_hcd
[15498.971263] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15499.103217] usb 1-1.4: device descriptor read/8, error -71
[15499.206663] hub 1-1:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 4
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Can you edit and add the tail end of a dmesg after unplugging and plugging in the printer? – Paul Jun 12 '12 at 2:29
@Paul edited the question. – Sheldon Jun 12 '12 at 2:38
I've seen this behavior with USB devices that need more power than the USB port is capable of delivering. Adding a powered USB hub between the printer and the computer will generally improve the situation. – devon.c.miller Jun 12 '12 at 2:45
1  
@devon.c.miller Unlikely, since the printer must be powered externally? – Alex Chamberlain Jun 12 '12 at 12:26
Have you tried sudo lsusb and/or different USB ports? – Alex Chamberlain Jun 12 '12 at 12:28
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migrated from stackoverflow.com Jun 12 '12 at 2:27

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