If your computer indicates that there's no USB connection to the machine, and therefore the Futura program refuses to start, there are several possibilities. The most likely is your cable is bad, although I have had USB cables that worked fine elsewhere, but didn't on the machine. Try switching the cable you're using with your printer cable.

Sometimes if you originally installed it using one USB port, it doesn't want to work if another port is used. Although I have not had that problem on this line of Futuras, others have. Try switching the port you're using.

Another possibility is the USB plug on the machine doesn't "seat" very well. That's true of all the Futuras. Make sure that the plug is sitting squarely in the machine. Personally, I tape the plug in using masking tape, then plug and unplug it from the computer side.