Still not able to use HP Laserjet 5P7

Question

I finally abandoned my old HP PC and followed my brother advice.  We have argued the virtues of PC v MAC for over 15 years and yes I finally decided to make the switch.  I purchased y iMAC 27 inch last week and sadly had to visit Apple store for a problem with wireless mouse.  They exchanged but in moving the MAC from my home and to the interior of the mall to find the Apple store I chipped the right edge of screen.  So much for easy transitions.  My Canon all ion one ink jet printer that is always thirsty for inks works fine.  My workhorse HP Laserjet 5P which I have had for over 10 years is causing problems.  I have spent hours on line both at Apple support sites and then HP sites and although there are plenty of advice and questions, none seem to help me.  I called for the first time Apple suppoirt and received an incident numbert but no solution.  I was told to go to HP.  This confused me since I have read plenty of suggestions and information stating that Apple had the drivers.  They must be hidden because I cannot find them.  I even downloaded a non-Apple "fix" called the Gutenberg, but it also did not work for me.  I erased it and now have two download icons on my desktop labeled Hewlett Packard Printer Drivers which are leftover reminders of my helpless position.  I finally decided to pay for the right advice except HP wanted $100 for a one time assistant.  I reconsidered and am trying for a support community solution.  Actually I posted a request for an Apple support answer but never received a response and cannot remember what site i left it on.  So, can someone help or do I keep my PC and HP printer for the letters and use the MAC for photos abnd music?  This is the crux of my brothers and my many conversations.  I always said PC was for real work for word processing and spreadsheets and the like and leave the Apple for educators, artists, photographers and music lovers.  I read several places that said the updated drivers were supposed to be included in recent Apple Update, which I have but it is not there.  Here's hoping my dilemna will be resolved here so I can once again feel my brothger is still right and I was wrong.  This printer problem is really what is keeping me from disconnecting my PC, other than finding a way to use the leased PC software I have used for 20+ years for my business.  First the printer and then the PC software.  Thanks for all who might really have a solution.  I am not asking for guesses which will waste my time as well as the 50 sheets of blank paper that accompanies the first page of garbled text every time I try to print after finding what I thought was a solutiion. So, will I find help or start shopping for another laser printer?  PS.  I chose iMac Intel but am not sure it is correct.  I just know I purchased an iMAC with the latest operating system of OS x 10.??

Answer 1

Kevin,
Thank you so much for your help in solving my HP 5P printer driver problem, even if the printer is 20 years old.  I find it hard to believe that this printer has not only lasted but done a great job for me and my insurance adjusting business. Your comments and directions were clear, concise and CORRECT. 
I certainly got my money's worth from HP.  I will probably replace it one of these days, but it was just that it still works fine and toner is reasonable. I hate to discard or throw anything away that still works and has value not to mention trying to do my part for the environment.  A throw back to my youth in the '60's when I arguerd with the manager of the new Burger King in my neighborhood that I did not want a bag that was going to go in the trash can before I even left the store.
Anyway, I would like to thank you again and wish I could recommend you to anyone in my position; that is older, new to Macs, and not a copmputer creator, but rather a computer user, which is why they are made in the firest place.  I know I will have other Mac challenges in my transition from my old HP Pavilion PC and hope that I can find you and you are able to help again.
For anyone else that sees this post and feels the urge to suggest replacing older equipment based on the age even while it still works, I did decide to replace my working and old virus surviving bullet riddled 10 year old HP PC.   Age is one factor in evaluating tools of life, but performance, quality and costs also drive my decisions.
Thanks again.  I literally spent at least 10 hours reading and trying to find a solution until I was fortunate enough to utilize the Apple Support Community which led me to you.  I am a Public Adjuster and adjust property damage insurance claims.  I do not work for the Insurance companies, but rather the Public.  If you have questions regarding how to deal with the large insurance companies if and when you have damage caused by wind, flood, fire, smoke, water, etc. you can call on me.