hpfvls14 problem

I have an Intel PII 400 processor running WIN98SE, fully updated,
printing via an HP 720c Deskjet printer through LPT1.

Starting yesterday, after each print command is fulfilled, I get an
"hpfvls14 Error" screen. Options given are to "Ignore" and continue -
which basically seems to let me continue - and a "Close" option -
which would essentially end the operation, potentially losing the work
I had done. After leaving this problem on-screen once, 5 minutes later
the PC had 'frozen'. Clearly, most of the time this is just an
irritation, but not always.

I have uninstalled and then re-installed the latest version of HP720c
software and drivers (checked on the internet via interactive HP
site), but the problem continues.

The only real change I have made was the installation, a few days ago,
of the most recent security update for WIN98SE - which incidentally
seems to fix the scrollbar movement problem introduced by the previous
security update. (Why do I somehow feel that this may be the cause of
the printer problem ?)

Previous NG threads with a hpfvls14 issue are pretty out of date, but
seemed to indicate a scroll connection, or a mouse connection. I
installed an optical mouse some months ago, but this did not cause any
problems.

Any ideas ?