Linuzoid,
You're not alone. I don't know if my printer (HP LaserJet P1006) has "died" or if it's some other problem, but I cannot even get the lsusb command from a terminal session to even SEE my printer.
parnote
Mine is seen:
Bus 002 Device 012: ID 03f0:3e17 Hewlett-Packard LaserJet P1006
It just won't load that firmware into the printer memory. parnote if you have windows can you print through there? I don't have windows on my machine haven't use it in years. But when I manage to get it to load the firmware, the HP Device Manager reports all is well, I even print the test print and it prints beautiful.
I do have a WinXP box, but not the time (atm) to move the printer to it and try to print from there. And since I never use my WinXP box except for the very RARE occasion, whether it prints on WinXP or not really doesn't matter. My printer has only ever been used with PCLinuxOS ever since I got it.
The fact that lsusb cannot even see my printer may mean that the USB port on the printer has died, and in effect, taken the rest of the functional printer with it. It may be time for me to break down and buy a printer that connects to my router's wired network ports, which would be a much better solution for me.
parnote