Aha. I think I solved it. I had originally "installed" Arduino version 1.6.12 which actually didn't have an installer. To use it you just click on the .exe file in the downloaded folder. Since it didn't have an installer none of the drivers were installed and I didn't know how to install them.
So I went back to watch Gordon's firmware video where he described the earlier version of Arduino - 1.0.6 which was the Arduino installer. I found that earlier file on the Arduino website and installed it which also installed all the drivers. I had the printer plugged into my laptop via USB while I was installing Arduino and once the drivers were installed... voila! I heard the Windows audio sound saying it recognized it was connected to the printer. I went to the Device Manager and, sure enough, found that now there was the printer on com port 3.
I haven't yet gone beyond that but I think I'm in good shape now to run the printer from my laptop. I still want to be able to use an SD card in the printer without having to use an external computer but at least now, hopefully, I'm back in business. Thanks guys!