connection to HP P3005 printer

After operating problem-free for years, my Windows 7 (64 bit) pc can no longer print to my Laserjet P3005 PCL6. Items remain in the print queue and when I try the run the HP "print doctor" troubleshooting program, it cannot even locate my device and tells me it the printer is not connected, though it is in fact connected to my pc via USB.

Sometime I get the following error message: 49.FF05 Service Error.

I have tried everything: unplugging and restarting the computer and printer over and over, reinstalling the driver for the printer, etc. etc. But nothing seems to work. I thought I would now try to replace the firmware, that appears to be impossible for this printer.'

Please advise! I have already wasted several days trying in vain to solve the problem

Hello jambontoo and Welcome to SevenForums :)

Looks like the error is related to the formatter.
See here how to replace it Replacing the Formatter HP LaserJet P3005 P3005D P3005N P3005DN P3005X

Thanks for that advice. I had never heard of a fomatter on a printer, but the link you supplied makes it appear that it is a straightforward procedure to replace it (right?) My new question is this: when I looked up the price of a new board online the price varied from ten bucks to nearly 200. Would you advise that I steer clear of the cheap ones (knockoffs?) and purchase the part from HP, despite the much higher cost?

That is just what I will attempt
Thank you again for your expert advice

If I may ask one more question. The formatter comes in two varieties:
Q2848-61006
Q7847-61006
Do you have any idea which one is right printer: HP LaserJet P3005 PCL6?
Thanks

Sorry for the delay.
According to this site here Replacing the Formatter HP LaserJet P3005 P3005D P3005N P3005DN P3005X it depends whether the printer is with a NW interface or not.