iMac and printers - Help before I throw my HP printer out window please

[pinkmama]

AARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH. I have posted on here before, but problem keeps coming back. My lovely iMac and its supposedly compatible HP deskjet dont get on. Basically if one of the usb cables get slightly knocked then it freezes my keyboard until I unplug printer USB. Only way I get it working again is to go through a variety of illogical plugging and unplugging of cables and turning on and off of machines. I cant seem to find a simple way of rectifying the problem. Thought I had found one, but this time it wont work. Why does this happen, does anyone know. And because I have had enough and need it for my work I might just buy another printer - anyone recommend one my iMac might mate for life with?

Go on, someone save my printer from a violent end

I think you need hub2dee. If I see him around I'll give him a shout

thanks. Our last one was an Epson actually and thinking about it that was never a problem. That was on our old iMac though. Should have stuck with it!

We have been using an HP laserjet for yonks,it has been faultless, touch wood. We also have three Epson printers, the 750 and another all singing dancing model/fax/copier that we got free with the Epson aculaser, I haven't worked put how to use it for photos yeat!

I have a few problems with the Epson aculaser, with my Imac, it will print like mad one day, but not the next. Apparently there are some print problems associated with Panther, so make sure you download the latest upgrades for both your system and the printer.

Thanks. Think looking a little more carefully at the printer that the printer usb port is actually a bit broken, so my mac is forgiven! Phew. In a fit of hormonal peak I have sent dh out to buy me a new, and hopefully fully compatible printer. Even sent him to the slightly more expensive apple shop cos I cant face this again, and hopefully they should sell us one that works! Dont know how we will pay for it, but if I cant print I cant work, and there will be no money for anyting anyway. Look at me justifying away to myself!