Cura seems to be a much more solid slicer than Repetier for me. If you continue to have problems with USB you can see if the SD card gives you a better result.
I use octoprint on 2 printers.. and I won't go back to anything else, way too many benefits.
OctoPrint:
Get Octoprint to run your printer. Wireless/wired remote monitoring that is relatively simple to setup and manage.
Buy this Canakit - it has everything you need. CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition http://amzn.to/2DsHZT0
Or CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Ultimate Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition http://amzn.to/2CxF8LG
Or Raspberry Pi 3 Ultimate Starter Kit with 7 inch touch screen! http://amzn.to/2CJlt9s
Go to this website...
https://octopi.octoprint.org/ and download it. Etcher it to your SD card and put in the Pi. Figure out your IP address and you are good to go. Setup is easy.
You can do it.. if you get hung up.. just ask.
Now you can control the power using a smart plug and an Octoprint Plugin
TPLink HS100 http://amzn.to/2CybwL8 $20.00
Camera:
Either USB Logitech C930e 1080P HD Video Webcam - http://amzn.to/2lKOqtB
Locate the USB cable that came with your MakerBot Replicator. Ensure your MakerBot Replicator is on. Insert the USB-B end of the cable into the port on the side of your MakerBot Replicator and insert the USB-A end of the cable into one of the USB ports on your computer. We do not recommend connecting with USB hubs or extension cords. The conveyor module handles machine connections and is the commnunication link bewtween Makerware UI and makerbotdriver. ##Repository Setup To run conveyor from the command line, you must also clone the s3g (makerbotdriver) repository. MakerBot MakerBot Replicator+ Firmware articles.
Or you are going to want one of these... http://amzn.to/2zISvUb a Pi camera 5Mp $23.00
and one of these http://amzn.to/2C5p7NH a longer ribbon cable $7.00
And to print this https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:434600 with a side of some of the mods I made to it...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:434600
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2656864
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2644129
I managed to get 2 Cameras on one Octoprint, (one PiCam, one USB) up and running. Timelapse, 2 aspects, pretty cool.
If you need more tips.. check my profile under about me.
The MakerBot software team has just released MakerBot Desktop 3.1, the latest update to our complete, free 3D printing solution for discovering, managing, and sharing your 3D prints. This release comes with full support for the MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer, a new Learn tab for tips on getting the most out of MakerBot Desktop, and a host of other user experience improvements.Download MakerBot Desktop 3.1.3D Printing Mission Control Use MakerBot Desktop 3.1 as your command center for storing, managing, preparing, and printing 3D model files. MakerBot Desktop works for the MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer and now the MakerBot Replicator Mini (look for full support for the MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D Printer in future updates).Download Makerbot Industries Port Devices Drivers
Yearning for Learning?Download Makerbot Industries Port Devices Driver
Want to learn the ins and outs of MakerBot Desktop? Just click the Learn tab in MakerBot Desktop to see the latest video tutorials. Or follow the links below to check out our three-part educational blog series:–Connecting to MakerBot Desktop–Creating 3D Prints with MakerBot Desktop–Collect, Organize, and Share Prints with MakerBot Desktop