Printing from a Linux using an Acer Aspire Netbook

Printing from a Linux using an Acer Aspire Netbook

A friend asked me to check why their Linux Acer Aspire netbook can't print to their HP printer. When I plugged in the USB cable, the a "balloon" popped up on the netbook saying it was installing the printer. But the printing does not work. I was able to get into a Settings area and click on Print Test Page but nothing happened.