HPLaserJetService.exe *32 handles at 9,000 and steadily rising

My laptop has been slowing down noticeably.  Browser screens are slow to refresh/maximize.  with parts of the screen blacking out or digitizing.

I've done some reading about memory leaks (dangerous) and suspect problems with video memory or a driver.  But I noticed in Task Manager that handle locks by HPLaserJetService.exe *32 are high and climbing.

1. Task Manager shows 3.7 GB of 6.0 GB RAM in use while basically at rest - a Chrome browser (few tabs) and one program open.
2. Handles are  generally at ~3,000 or below for all processes except HPLaserJetService.exe *32 which is now at 9,600 and slowly rising.  It has climbed to 11,300 while writing this up.
3. HPLaserJetService.exe *32 commit size is 419,376K.  All others are at 193K or below
4. Running Windows 7 Professional, Version 6.1 (Build 7601 : Service Pack1)
5. Printer:  HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401n PCL 6
6. Driver download installed: LJ-M401-full-solution-13198

I stopped the process once and things seemed OK, but then some of my applications would print and some would not.  This is not a real fix anyway.  Am considering reinstalling the driver in case this one is corrupted, but wanted to consult before I start messing with things.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris