Help with connecting a 'legacy' hp printer please

I've recently migrated from xp to win7 ultimate on my two laptops.
One is an HP8510 Workstation.
One is an HP MINI Atom, CPU N270 @1.60GHz , .99GB RAM.

Attempting to install driver software for my elderly but mint condition and fully-satisfactory-for-my-needs HP 895cse printer I am unable to get beyond the third step in installation whereby I am told that the printer is not found on any parallel ports, lp1.. lp2.. or lp3.

For some reason I cannot seem to get windows 7 to recognize the printer is connected via USB. My MINI does not even have a parallel port.

I enabled windows update, went online, and allowed it to scan for the right driver. I was informed at two separate forum threads that others were successful with this method. Windows update came up empty handed. No driver found.

I downloaded and installed Microsoft's WinXP Emulator software for Win7. I followed instructions assigning admin and the correct operating system interface in the instructions for opening the driver in Win7. Again, on the third step in driver installation I was informed that the printer was not recognized at parallel ports lp1, 2, or 3. Maddeningly I could not find a way to impress upon my win7 laptop that this printer was connected via USB.

In desperate need of a printer I reinstalled Winxp on my MINI, opened the disc driver installation file for the printer, and plugged in the printer. AGAIN the third step informed me that my printer was not recognized by any of my parallel ports. (did I mention that this HP MINI lacks such a port?).

To cover all possibilities, instead of cancelling the automatic locate new driver dialogue in winxp as I usually do, I ran the install again and and continued with that pop-up. I said no to going online to search and chose to search my computer for the driver. Whatta-ya-know? It installed the driver without a catch. I was connected and printing.

So Win7 does not offer that pop-up providing the option to go online or scan the harddrive for the appropriate driver.

I'd like to set up my two laptops with Win7 and connect this printer.

Can anyone help me get Win7 to recognize this printer's connection to the USB ports? That appears to be the only glitch I'm having since others have claimed success with this printer on Win7.

Thanks so much.

175 views and not a hint? Since returning to xp and getting the same message while installing the driver that the plugged in printer was not recognized on any of the parallel ports I was encouraged. Perhaps the problem is not specific to win7.

So what trick to I perform to get win7 to 'see' the printer plugged into a USB port?