Solved Windows (Vista) Does Not Recognize USB Device

Vista Home Premium 32-bit.

Bought a Brother B@W Laser printer model HL-2240. I installed it per the mfg's direction (CD-ROM > attached USB cable > turned printer on) and I instantly get the message "Windows does not recognize the attached USB device". As I was installing using Ashampoo Uninstaller, I deleted all files associated with the install. Upon restart Vista automatically installed the printer with Vista drivers. The Brother printer appeared in "Printers" and I made it the default. In Printers it indicated "Ready". I attempted to print a Word doc and it failed. Opening Printers it merely stated "Error" and also stated "Error" when I opened the print job. It showed that the doc was cached but would not print.
Per Brother, I purchased a new USB A/B cable (needed an extra one anyway), but to no avail. Also attempted installing on a Window 7 laptop and get the same results. The bottom line is if Vista installs the printer it won't print and if Brother attempts the install the device is not recognized. I attach the recommended steps to correct the problem and am at the point of returning to Staples for an exchange but would prefer figuring this out...if the printer is not defective. BTW, the attached troubleshooter is for another model, but Brother says it applies to the model I have.
If anyone has any insight into this I would really appreciate the advice. As always, thank you in advance.

Mark

I apologize for the fact that it took such a long time to post a reply. I think that I can safely say that you were not overlooked, but me and the other members were puzzled by your dillemma. I think that you will have a better chance at solving your problem if I take a few educated guesses rather than just ignore the question. It would be a nice New Year for us both if we can get this resolved.
My first inclination is to believe that the printer is defective, since it does not work on any computer that you tried.
Most printers have a print test that you can try, lets start there and see whay happens. My answers will be posted spordically, since I will be away for the holidays.
How do I print a Test page? : Brother

Happy New Year Rich -

I apologize for not posting a followup the day after I posted the original message. The day following my post I bit the bullet and called Brother support. (I always dread any tech support because I find myself saying "I cannot understand you" a lot.) Excuse me if I offend someone, that is not my intent, but I actually got a hold of someone that spoke perfect English and she was as gracious as she could be. We troubleshooted every possible thing she could think of on the Vista machine, but when I told her that I get the same message when the printer is attached to a Win 7 laptop she said that she was going to fill out and begin the warranty process for me, ie, she felt the printer was defective. I packed up the printer as it was opened and returned to Staples. Made it there with 4 days to spare on the store warranty. Brought home the new one and not one single problem installing the drivers, software and updating the firmware.
So your guess was correct. It was a defective printer. Should something like this happen again I hope to remember to post back if the problem is solved outside of the forum.
Once again, Happy New Year and thank you for responding.

-Mark

Glad that it worked out for you, Mark, Happy New Year.