Windows 10: Device names (usb mouse and printers) shows unread-able characters (only square box)

It happened after the latest Microsoft update (Aug2019) and I have tried uninstall+reinstall device drivers. See the captured screen:



:)

 

How can I enter a square box as an ASCII character?


There is a series of box-drawing ASCII characters, such as 179/180, 187/188. Do a search for an ASCII character list, which will show you all of the relevant numbers.

 

usb device not recognized (malfunction) - Printer

Hope somebody can help a non-techy here.
I have a canon IX4000 printer, and had been using it without problem. The next day (having touched nothing), I got a USB device not recognized warning, and that it has a malfunction (this is under Windows XP).

I've tried the following:
- deinstalling all USB drivers under device manager
- system restore to several days prior, when I knew the printer was working
- trying a different USB lead (tested the lead on another device, so know it works)
- plugged lead into every other available USB port on the computer (front and back).
- tried plugging it into another computer (comes up with the same malfunction warning)
- deinstalled the printer drivers, downloaded and reinstalled them.

Nothing I've tried works. I know the printer functions as I can start it up under service mode and print off test pages without problems, but my computer just won't have it. Could it be a hardware failure, and if not is there anything else I can try that isn't listed above?

Really grateful to anyone who can reply. *Smile

 

How can I enter a square box as an ASCII character?


Hello

Is there any way to enter an ASCII character that shows up as a white square box?

Background: In my hand-written pand & paper notes, I have various conventions for using different types of bullets in the margin. And if I draw a white square box in the margin, this provides a quick way for me to visually scan my notes to find anything that is an exectable task that requires action.

What I then do is come back and tick the box once it is done.

Does any ASCII character exist that will reliably show up in different applications as a which box with a solid/black border? And if so, is there any way to enter it using Alt plus the numeric keyboard?

Also good would be an ASCII character for a box with a tick inside it. (Or even just a tick?!)

Cheers

J


PS I am using Windows 10, the English Language, the UK region and various standard applications (e.g. The MS Office365 suite, TextPad, MindManager, MLO, Xara, plus Firefox/Edge/Chrome browers)