Error: This document failed to print

After adding a new printer and selecting the correct
driver from windows XP Pro driver list I try to print
test page. I get the error "This document failed to
print" from printer icon in tray. Printer properties
show printer is connected to LPT1 port. There is NO LPT1
port listed in hardware devices. I try to print dir to
printer (dir lpt1), get error: "The system cannot find
the file specified". The troubleshooter is no help on
this problem. Haven't found any articles concerning this
problem. I can print fine however to the printer on
another system through LAN.

It seems there is no parallel printer port driver
installed on my system or it cannot be found. System:
Win XP Pro SP1. New build, ASUS P4P800, intel 2.8C proc,
RAID0, LAN, HP 2500C printer. Any ideas, please? I'm
really going nuts on this one.