HP Printer woes

My printer woes. 
I got my printer about 1/1/2 years ago.  It has never really worked perfectly. I thought the software wasn't installing well or completly.  I would lose it on the loptop and have to save my printing jobs on a flash drive and print them from Merlin's computer.  Finally, our router went down.  The tech people think someone got in and messed it up.  I didn't have it on a secure setting.  B(

So, we got a new router and I thought that since I was messing with installing the router, why don't I make the printer useable.  So, I uninstalled the software, rebooted, reinstalled, hunted for the router wirelessly from the laptop, then through the router from Merlin's computer.  Never found the printer.  I went through the HP directions for installing and connecting to a router wirelessly, and through an Ethernet connection.  Didn't connect and couldn't find the printer.  So, I uninstalled, reinstalled, rebooted both computers and so on.  I did this several times.  Then we had a friend over for dinner and since he is a computer engineer, I asked him to check this printer/ router situation out.  He went through the same things I did and said I had done it all.  Not to mention I had done it all several times. 

Finally, After working on it again on Tuesday from 4:30AM to 6:30M, I gave in and called hp tech support and paid the $35.  My warranty was out.  The hp tech support lady worked for 5 hours on both computers and printer to no avail.  She really did everything, rummaging around both computers, the routher and the printer.  Finally, we were both tired and I said I needed to eat. It had been from 4:30AM to 12noon.  I told her to go get a diet Coke and call me back.

Her last comment was that it was a router problem. I mentioned the software issue I had told her about before,  and she told me to download the entire installation package online and wait for her call to install.  OK.  The package was too large and timed out, so I just installed it first on Merlin's computer.  I had done this so many times. 

I was talking with my friend, just clicking on "next" or "yes" or whatever, not even seeing what was happening.  All of a sudden, I was asked if I wanted to print a test page!  Yikes!  I just shouted.  YES, I wanted to print a test page.  And it did print. 

Then I installed it on my laptop, and the same thing happened.  A test page.  How very wonderful. I was elated and feeling pretty smug.  Because, I figured it out.  I'm the one who suggested installing a new version of the installation software. 

HP tech support called me just as I had finished installing it on my laptop.  I was so excited and told the new individual the whole thing.  He just laughed.  I asked him, "Am I hearing there will be a job offer?"  He really laughed then. 

My laptop is still having some problems with keeping the printer enabled, but I do have some diagnostics helping me with that issue.  I'm hoping to have that resolved soon.

Still, we can print now, both of us.  I am feeling quite happy with finally figuring this out. AW