Can't ADD printer

I believe that this started immediately after upgrading to 10.4.6, but I'm not absolutely sure of that:
Whenever I use Printer Setup Utility and reach the point of ADDing the driver for my printer (an Epson Stylus Color 777i), I always get the dreaded:
An error occurred while trying to add the selected printers.
server-error-service-unavailable
Yes I've tried "Reset Printing System...", I've re-used the 10.4.6 Combo Updater, I've used Disk Utility to Repair Disk Permissions, and I followed the recommendations in http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107054. I ran the Cron scripts using Cocktail (whick got hung doing that--I had to force quit the application.) Using Terminal, I followed a suggestion (which I can't now recover) to check that CUPS was running (it is, although it showed an earlier date, not today's.)
Epson has given up on me, after I followed suggestions like:
Try reconnecting the cable at both ends - ensure it is properly connected -
the printer should have a solid green light on with no red lights.
Please go to :
HD > Library > Printers > Epson >Inkjet Printers
There should be an icon for the 777 in there (SC777.plugin or Stylus Color
777.plugin or similar - it will mention the printer)
if the plugin isn't there please reinstall the downloaded driver.
If the plugin is there, proceed:
Double click on the Macintosh HD
in the white area on the top right, type in com.apple.print
the entries should now be found, if not please hit the RETURN key on the
computer keyboard.
Trash all entries that come up (if any come up).
Empty trash.
Restart the Mac.
<<
and
<div class="jive-quote">
Please follow the instructions below to completely remove and reinstall the
resident Epson driver package for your printer. You can leave the printer
on and connected throughout.
REMOVE FILES
1. Double click on the MAC HARD DRIVE.
2. Double click on the LIBRARY folder.
3. Double click on the PRINTERS folder.
4. Drag the EPSON folder to the trash can.
5. Close any open windows.
6. Double click on the MAC HARD DRIVE.
7. Double click on the LIBRARY folder.
8. Double click on the RECEIPTS folder.
9. Delete any "Epson" receipts.
10. Close all open windows and restart your computer.
REINSTALL THE EPSON DRIVER PACKAGE
1. Insert your Mac OS X 10.4 Install disc. Open CD when it appears on the
desktop.
2. Find and double-click on the Optional Installs.pkg.
3. After the installer opens, choose the following custom install options:
-Check "Printer drivers" and use arrow next to this entry to expand this
category.
-Check "Epson" below the "Printer drivers" heading. (You do not need to
install other manufacturer's packages.)
4. Click "Install" and follow prompts to reinstall the resident Epson
printer driver package. Restart the computer after installation is
complete.
<<
I've probably spent 25-30 hours on this problem, with no change in the result. Can anyone help?
Mucho TIA >> Robert
iMac DV 400 MHz Slot-loading CD-R Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Good advice, Greg. (Much quicker than the many hours I spent trying to find and fix the problem!) After reinstalling 10.4, I used the latest Combo Updater for 10.4.7. Printing still works, so I'm a happy camper.
Thanks very much.

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We
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Welcome to the Discussions Westar,
Just a few questions to start out:
Have you tried to Repair Permissions with Disk Utilities found in /Applications/Utilities?
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