Buy a new printer - unfortunately HP is not supplying drivers for Windows 7 for any printers over 3 years old. If you were running x32 you might be alright, x64 and you are screwed, that's why I have two perfectly fine laser printers at home.

Hello,

Most HP laser printers will actually work with the latest UPD drivers available for any Windows based system unless they are host based (no PCL or PS support)

Is the printer networked or connected via USB ?
If networked then the UPD print driver should work flawlessly else you probably have some network/firewall or antivirus issues.

You MUST have administrator privileges in Win 7 to install devices.

Try below if connected via USB, and getting an error message like...

"Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.!"

You must have all administrator privileges!
 
1-    Open Windows Explorer

2-    Go to C:/Windows/System32/DriverStore

1.    You will have a couple of folders and files.
You will have *.dat files and other file named: infcache.1

3-    Right click every file (don't touch the folders!) and choose properties.

4-    go to security tab

5-    click Edit

6-    choose your account and check the box: full control (see ss)

7-    Click ok.

8-    Repeat to every file

9-    Select all the files (*.dat and infcache.1)

10-    Press shift+del

11-    Press OK.

12-    Now, go to C:Windows/System32/Driver Store/File Repository/

13-    Search for folder named usbstor.inf

14-    Open it (if you have more than one, choose the most recent)

15-    Copy "usbstor.inf" and "usbstor.PNF"

16-    Paste those two files to C:/Windows/inf

17-    Reboot your pc.

If Windows doesn't install them automatically, go to device manager, uninstall all unknown devices and the ones with the yellow exclamation mark, then click in "check to see if there is any hardware changes".
 
Now, Windows should install all your hardware successfully.

If it still fails after this guide you mgiht need to check your local firewall/anti virus settings.

Also a few things to know about USB connected printers :

1) USB cables above 2meters in length might loose connectivity to the printer causing corrupted printjobs or interruptions.
2) Since laptops usually only ships with limited power supplies, they might encounter issues with USB connected printers especially if the laptop has several USB devices, connected either via a docking station or a USB hub.
3) Do not attempt to install several printers via USB on the same physical port  on the PC/laptop. It can potentially screw up the Windows registry keeping track on what USB port is used for what USB printer.
4) Least but not last... Do not be afraid to test the latest USB Print Diagnostic Utility from HP --> http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&swItem=mp-86318-1

Have a nice day !
  

Something tells me you have so many stars, you won't notice that one!

Thanks for the thorough and knowledgeable response.

Bruce Hinton
Megabite Svc.