Windows 7: Windows 7 will not recognize HP Officejet 6500

I am trying to connect the above new printer to my computer (not on a network, single printer, simple USB cable connection). The software downloaded successfully, the printer was installed and connected according to directions and shows up as the default printer on the control panel. But I tried printing a Word document and nothing happens.
I've consulted the HP troubleshooting guide and went through all the steps. I checked the cable connections and everything looks OK. I reset the printer by disconnecting and re-connecting the power.
Then I spent 30 minutes on the phone with a patient HP advisor. No success.
My gut feeling is that a setting in Windows 7 somehow prevents the OS from recognizing the printer, but I've installed other printers before with no trouble. (No other printers are now installed, just the HP which won't work.)
Before I exchange the printer and possibly run into the same problem I wonder if anyone has any ideas. Help would be much appreciated.

Word does see that there is a printer ready to use? Also you said windows 7 see's it as the defualt printer, does windows 7 still reconize that? If windows still see that the HP printer is still default then your problem may not be with Windows it's self but possible with Word. Have you printed a test page, if so and it printed then your problem is with word not printing rather then a problem with windows. Also if your just clicking on the "quick print" button and the computer glitch out and maybe the printer isn't set to default printer, it won't printer. Just double check that your printer is for sure your new HP printer. Then hit the following key combo "CTRL+P" this will bring up this will bring up your printing menu for Word, it will then by default select the default printer, if nothing is selected then you could try selecting the printer and try printing your document again. Also one thing that could have happened is that when your installed your new printer it may have created a conflict with word and you may need to do a repair install. You can do this by following the provided setups below:

1) going to control Panel
2) locating "Microsoft office"
3) click on it and hit change/modify
4) when the pop up gives you options select "Repair"

It will then repair your installation of Microsoft office, when it has finished i would recommened doing a system restart if it does not prompt you do do so. I hope this infomation has helped you out.

RitualJman

Many thanks, RitualJman. I went through all the steps you suggested, no dice.
But then I found out the printer wouldn't print a test page when disconnected from the computer, so the problem is in the printer. Back it goes to the dealer!

Okay, if the printer is not connected to the computer it's not going to work anyways. Althought if it has wireless printing on it then there might be a piece of software that you can download from HP to allow your computer to connect to that printer. There is two models of that printer, here is what they are:

1) HP Officejet 6500 All In One Printer
2) HP Officejet 6500 Wireless All In One Printer.

Here is the driver downloads for both of the models.

1) Software & Driver Downloads HP Officejet 6500 All-in-One Printer - E709a - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

2) Software & Driver Downloads HP Officejet 6500 Wireless All-in-One Printer - E709n - HP Customer Care (Canada - English)

The pages look the same but the drivers are a bit different from each other. Now i will provide you with the link to the HP Driver Page as a future reference in the case that you ever need to find a driver for any HP product you may purchase in the future. Well I hope you have some good luck with the printer you get for the exchange if you choose to go that route.

RitualJman

Apparently the printer is supposed to be able to print a test page stand-alone. The instructions that came with it tell you to print that test page before connecting it to the computer. After the installation CD didn't work I downloaded the software and driver from the HP site. No luck. Quien sabe?

All printers should be able to print a stand alone test page... Hmmm, maybe just bad bad printer out of that batch.

RitualJman