HP 1300 printer driver on network

I have been trying to install an HP 1300 printer on my network at work and cannot seem to get the driver to install. I have followed the advice at:

Laserjet 1300 Driver for Windows 7 64 Bits - HP Support Forum

and was able to get the printer to work if it is directly attached to my computer but in a work situation the printer is in another room where it is more widely used. The PCL5 driver seemed to install if I plugged the printer directly but now that the printer is back on the system I cannot configure that install to find it on the network. It is visible when I try to install a printer from the control panel but it just cannot deal with installing it on another computer.

Any ideas how to reconfigure the port to see this printer? I have tried to add an TCP/IP port but it will not configure to see the printer.

This new computer is pretty useless unless I can get it to print on the network. I also have a Sharp printer scanner with the same issue.

After further research I found an answer that works for some printers but not a Sharp printer that I also have. It seems strange but to install a network printer that is not supported by Windows 7 drivers this is what I had to do:

Start the Add a printer wizard.
Choose Add a local printer.
Click on Create a new port. Use Local Port.
In the Enter a Port Name box, type the path to the printer:
\\(computer name)\(printer name)
Then select the proper driver, and print a testpage.

PaulDoman,
Have you verified that the printer is indeed compatible with Windows 7? You could always verify compatibility for hardware and software concerns at the Microsoft Windows 7 Compatibility Center which is located at the following link: Windows 7 Compatibility Center home
Should you still require additional assistance with connecting your Windows 7 computer to your network printer, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here Windows 7 IT Pro Category . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams.
Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team