You could try the add new hardware wizard.
click start and type CMD
Right click the option shown and click run as administrator
In the cmd panel type Hdwwiz.exe and press enter
The add new hardware wizard will open
Select printers from the list and press next
Now have a look if the printer is listed in the devices shown
If not select HAVE DISK
A window will open up asking to insert a cd or browse for files
Id recommend saving the driver you downloaded from the HP website saved to your desktop so you can easily find it.
Click browse and select the driver from where you have saved it to then press ok and well, just see what happens.
Im outta ideas after this :( I dont have windows 7 so i cant comment anymore on any settings to try to change but someone else might, sorry Dee
Try the patch i talked about too, couldnt hurt.
Make sure windows is up to date and check for additional software in windows update too.
One more thing Dee you could try using a firewire connection instead of usb