HI lfigenia,
Thank you for the updated information. I appreciate it.
I know you've uninstalled and re-installed several times, but after you received the message from the Print and Scan Dr did you try again? It is seeing something that has prompted it to give that message.
I have included a link to a document with more trouble shooting steps to take. I know you haven't mentioned getting this error but I think the steps are valid. There is a section dedicated to Windows 8 and a USB connection.
'No HP devices have been detected' Message Displays on the Computer When Opening HP Solution Center in Windows
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c02468684