Vista - Epson stylus 680 not printing

I have a real problem. I have an Epson colour stylus 680 that was printing, connected via USB to a laptop using vista. I disconnected the USB cable for a while and now it refuses to print anything. Odd facts:
- The printer is installed again every time I connect the cable, (annoying)
- The PC detects the cable automatically, but still it doesn't print
- The print command is getting sent through, but isn't actually printing
- I have changed the ports various times and deleted printers, reinstalled them, and rebooted, etc, to no avail.

I have called Epson, who said it's better I talk to Microsoft, who then directed me to PCworld/Advent, and still I can't get the thing to work. Last time, the guy at Epson, by trial and error, I think, managed to get it working, but heaven knows how. Any help, however it comes, is extremely welcome. Thankyou

Things I would try... not 100% bullet proof.

Uninstall the printer drivers and software, making sure no remnants still exists on your C:\ drive or Registry. Epson should have a Driver Sweeper or Uninstaller.

Download latest Vista x32 or x64 drivers for it... NO, Not the ones that came with the CD.

Go to Device Manager and Uninstall all USB Devices, making sure the Mouse or pointing device (if USB) is the last one you uninstall... it may take you a few tries. Once that is down, either reboot or "Scan for Hardware Changes" within the Device Manager options in Action (This is from XP, Vista may be different).

If nothing new exists as far as vista drivers, load the CD but do not use autoplay, instead, go to Explore and right click on the executable and "Run as Administrator" to see if that helps the issue.

Good Luck

Thanks very much for your help - much appreciated

OK -I've downloaded Driver Detective, which costs £30 because I wasn't able to find a free printer driver online anywhere, but all it's done is scan the PC and not download the correct driver. This was after I deleted the printer in 'programs' and deleted the printer from 'Printers.' Apparently, Driver detective still thinks there is a working printer there but it simply isn't connected. Mmm. Will call the customer service people at Driver detective, and in the meantime keep trying to get it to work :l

Driver detective is one of those scam softwares but, if you have purchased it already, they must make it work for you, otherwise, you can ask to be refunded... which is what I would do.

Hi again, yes I think I will ask for a refund. I've now booked the PC in for repair at the local tech place as although your advice was great, I wasn't able in the end to find a driver online anywhere for it, unforunately- unless it was through driver detective. Anyhow, it'll probably cost me £40-60 but at least it'll be fixed! Thanks again for all your help

Don't mention it, glad to do it, to bad I couldn't help but glad that you will have it working afterwards.

Do come back and tell us what the techs tell you, it may help others in the future and this is what the forums are all about.