Knowing the model and brand of the computer can help us narrow down solutions...
Did you recently add any programs or do any updating or install any new software around the time you noticed the printer not being recognized? Wondering what you mean by deleting the printer... different than uninstalling....
If you go to your Control Panel and double click the Printers and Faxes icon, you can see which printer listed has been given a check mark to identify it as the default printer (hiccups sometimes occur and the default assignment disappears.... (aren't computers fun at times??).... There is also a printer connection test link there also that can be used to check for problems........ Since you use WinXP, which has Plug n' pray (play) features, if the computer is uninstalled and disconnected from the computer box, and the 'puter is turned off.... reconnect the printer and restart the 'puter and the P n' P feature should recognize the "new hardware" and allow you to set it as default..... that will also give you the chance to update drivers for the printer as well........ Probably 9 times out of 10, an updated driver from the printer manufacturers website will resolve the recognition problem.... happens a lot with Windows updates.... Grrrrr.............
Those are some ideas to check out..... and a little more info and steps taken will help someone further try to resolve the issue.........
