Do I know the history of the drivers ? No, I actually ditched ME very shortly after it arrived on one of my machines because I found it 'buggy'
I've just done a quick search and come up with this. It sounds as if you may have already done most of it, but it may be worth a look
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/servi...54.shtml#SEC37
There is also this link to Microsoft which lists a whole raft of ME USB issues (although nothing specifically Epson related)
The Epson site itself is a bit useless.
Let us know what happens with this one