I was at a stage not like yours 2years ago and i found this way of getting my printer to work even on Vist64bit/XP 32bit/Vist32bit Sytems.
Go to Control Panel. Choose printer. Then choose Add Printer.
ChooseAdd a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.
A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name. Type in the \\computer name\printer name ie. My computer's name is basement and the printer name is EpsonSty so I typed in \\basement\epsonsty
Yahoo! It worked. Go figure! I guess Microsoft thinks printers on a intranet are local.
This is from a web site i know its on sharing the printer outside but use the add local printer and then install with the epson drivers you will find.
The web link is here to:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/itprovistaprinting/thread/8c3c3d97-9d85-4ab0-9fc8-4b7aba202fb2/

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