printer issues-anyone else?

I just got my new computer from DS. It's awesome and has no issues except one: I can't get it to recognize my HP color laser jet 1600 printer. I went to the HP site to download the driver software for win 7 64 bit (I have win 7 pro edition on the computer), and when the driver gets to the point in the installation where I have to connect the printer via a usb port, it just sits there and waits. It doesn't recognize that the printer is hooked up. My old computer is just fine with this printer, and the usb ports seem to work fine with other devices I've connected to them, so I'm stumped. I went to the HP forums for help and after several days have not a reply to my question. None of their generic suggestions seem to work.

I was wondering if anyone else has had issues with getting the computer to acknowledge older HP printers. Since this printer is rather expensive and works just fine otherwise, I am not planning on replacing it any time soon, but I would like it to print on the new computer.

Note, I do not have my computers or the printer networked. I just want to be able to hook the printer up directly to one of the usb ports and to switch it back and forth between the two computers.

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry, I'm a win 7 noob. I found something called sprint spooler by doing using the search function, but when I try to open it a window appears and disappears briefly. No idea how to access it or see if it's running.

Looks like the print spooler is on, so I'm not sure what the issue is. I'm thinking it's an hp issue, as I've seen a couple of other posts on the hp support forums where people have similar issues with different hp printers and different computers, and no resolution has been presented except to try turning of virus protection program (I've tried that) or that it 'might' be a firewall issue with no instructions on how to find out if it is and how to fix it. It's rather frustrating, as I really don't want to shell out the $ for another laser printer right now (if I do, it will be a different brand).

I'm using norton internet security. It's the same service we use on the other computer, and it doesn't cause any issues with installing drivers (including the driver for this same printer).

Thanks! Turning off the firewall didn't seem to help.

I'm going to try installing and hooking up a different printer (a canon ink jet) to see if that one works. I have a sneaking suspicion that it's an HP issue, because it's an older printer. Seems like others have had similar issues with older hp printers, even though they have drivers that are supposed to work and install on win 7 64 bit machines. If it's a problem with the new printer and driver (which is supposed to work with windows 7), then I'll post here again.

The canon ink jet printer driver installed and it works just fine. I'm wondering if the driver on the hp site that's slated for the HP color laser jet 1600 for 64 bit windows 7 just does not work. Problem is, it's hard to find other people with the same printer make and model anymore to compare notes. Like I said, the printer works fine on my old (Win XP) computer.

It will be an issue when we replace the other computer I'm afraid. Hate to spring for a new laser jet, as it's hard to find a decent, affordable high output model that's not made by hp (never buying anything from them again).