Did Cura LE 4.x.x break my Mini ver.1?

After using the original Mini for years without any problems, I finally upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 7. After installing Cura LE 4.13.17, it recognized the printer. It prompted me to upgrade the firmware which I did successfully. I started a print, and during calibration the printer suddenly stopped in place. I cannot get it to respond anymore. There is a quiet, low-level rattle emanating from the housing on the left.

In Cura it now just says “no usb printer connected”, no matter what order I turn things on/off etc. for all versions of 4.x.x that I’ve tried.

After reading this post, I installed version 3.6.20, since that was the last working version for the OP.
With that version, I get prompted to update the firmware again, this time to 1.1.9.34. But I did not update (/downgrade?). When I try to print, I get the error “ Wrong printer detected, starting a print with the wrong printer selected may damage the printer. […]”. It then automatically disconnects the printer. (Yes, I did pick Legacy > Lulzbot Mini 1 during setup).

I am confused and looking for the right way to move forward. Is there a chance I may have caused some damage to the printer through the above process already?

Update: I did downgrade the firmware to 1.1.9.34. It seems to be working normal again now, BUT, now the problem is that it always stops eventually before the print is finished and just freezes.
I then have to click “abort print”, followed by “disconnect”, then “connect”, before it responds again.

What could be the reason for that?