Windows could not load the installer for Printer? Cant Install Pri

This problem is really kicking my ***,

PnP, USB connected EPSON printer ... connected to USB port, and wha la ...

new hardware detected ... let windows configure? sure ... why not!

XPSP2 searches for a driver and never resolves. Asks user to check

connection (after the printer was detected with proper name?)

I goto the Epson CD to load drivers my self ... they load, meanig there on

the HD, but the printer doesnt install ...

Windows reports "Windows could not load the installer for Printer. Contact

your hardware vendor for assistance."

I do my research ... and enable logging for the Installer through the MCC

and review log files generated

Find ...

[setupAPI Log]

OS Version = 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2

Platform ID = 2 (NT)

Service Pack = 2.0

Suite = 0x0100

Product Type = 1

Architecture = x86

[2007/08/18 11:01:38 768.3 Driver Install]

#-019 Searching for hardware ID(s):

usbprint\epsonstylus_photo_821edd,epsonstylus_photo_821edd

#-198 Command line processed: C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe

#I393 Modified INF cache "C:\WINDOWS\inf\INFCACHE.1".

#I022 Found "USBPRINT\EPSONStylus_Photo_821EDD" in C:\WINDOWS\inf\oem23.inf;

Device: "EPSON Stylus Photo 825"; Driver: "EPSON Stylus Photo 825"; Provider:

"EPSON"; Mfg: "EPSON"; Section name: "EPNDRV".

#I023 Actual install section: [EPNDRV.NT]. Rank: 0x00000000. Effective

driver date: 05/30/2002.

#-147 Loading class installer module for "EPSONStylus Photo 825".

#E144 Loading module "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntprint.dll" failed. Error 127:

The specified procedure could not be found.

Windows could not load the installer for Printer. Contact your hardware

vendor for assistance. Error 127: The specified procedure could not be found.

So ... I figure the .dll is corrupted and need to replace it. I find the

same version online, download it, remname the old file ... ntprint.old

and when I place the new one in the folder ... windows asks do you want to

replace the one that already exists? say what? there shouldnt be one there? I

just renamed it!

go in the folder and look, and wha la ... there is another ntprint.dll along

with the old one, I try again , and wha la .... Im an idiot, its back again!

So ... I think im on the right track, the logfile points to the ntprint.dll

every time, the failure to load the printer is repeatable ... everytime the

exact same results ... but Im stuck

I would greatly appreciate anyones help that has some experience in solving

this interesting problem ... thanx in advance