Question : Problem: Local printer connected before drivers installed and now printer will not install.

I recently needed to install a local USB printer (HP LaserJet 3050 AIO) but the user had already plugged in the USB cable before the software/drivers were installed.  Now I cannot install the printer because it cannot find the Generic IEEE 1284.4 driver support.  How do I clear out the configuration that was incomplete the first time the cable was connected and start fresh?  I'm pretty sure this problem could have been avoided if the USB cable would've not been connected before the drivers were installed.  
Windows XP SP2, HP laptop
Thanks!

Answer : Problem: Local printer connected before drivers installed and now printer will not install.

First, try this HP utility to detect for proper driver installation.
http://www.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html?pageDisplay=drivers

HP also provide a fix utility
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=US&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=1140783&swItem=ma-38336-1&prodNameId=1140778&swEnvOID=228&swLang=8&taskId=135&mode=4&idx=2

If this doesn't work, there are registry edits that can be done.