IPhone drivers won't load since iTunes 10.1

Question

I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. I installed iTunes 10.1 almost 2 weeks ago. On Nov 14, I tried to sync my iPhone 3GS for the first time since the upgrade. I plugged the phone in and Windows said it was loading the drivers. Then Windows popped up a little notice over the tool tray saying there was an error.
I've had some trouble like this before, but usually only on iOS upgrades when the phone is in recovery mode. Still, I followed the usual steps. I uninstalled iTunes and all related programs. I rebooted. I downloaded a fresh version of iTunes 64-bit. I installed and rebooted. I plugged in the phone, but still the drivers wouldn't load.
I called Apple support. They walked me through the uninstall again. I turned off my anti-virus and firewall. I verified that all folders related to the apple install were removed. I emptied my Recycle Bin even. Rebooted, downloaded, installed, rebooted. Still not working. Device Manager claims the driver is not for this platform when I watch it try to identify the phone when I plug it in. (Yes, I downloaded the 64-bit version of iTunes.)
Eventually, they told me to take the phone into an Apple store and verify that there was no hardware problem. The phone is apparently fine. They gave me a new cable, but it still doesn't work.
Prior to the iTunes 10.1 upgrade, I had no issues with syncing the phone. I had some issues during upgrades where exactly this kind of thing would happen, but taking it into the store to restore to factory defaults always meant I could recover from backup.
The guys at the Genius bar suggested I wait for the next iTunes update, but it's been two weeks and I can't backup my phone.
Has anyone here successfully resolved a problem like this one? I see some people with similar, but not identical, problems on the forums here, but not all of them have their questions marked as answered either.

Answer 1

I understand that some of you worship Apple and any negative comment about Apple is an insult to them personally.
Not to me buddy boy. I understand there are those who make such blanket statements - if I have a problem or I always experience a problem after installing an iPhone firmware update or after installing an iTunes update, the same must apply to EVERYONE. Baloney. Such a blanket statement could not be further from the truth in regards to Apple updates and Windoze updates. All Windows users do not experience a problem after installing every Windows update but a certain percentage will and do. And there are a percentage of mental midgets who make idle threats at a user to user help forum only - if Apple doesn't do this or that, this will be the last Apple product I will EVER buy. Doubtful there are any fellow user will lose any sleep if you decide to never purchase another iPhone or any Apple product. Win some, lose some. It is impossible to make everyone happy. If you want help, stick to providing pertinent info about the problem only and spare fellow users the idle threats.
Every time when I plug in my Iphone4 to the computer, Itunes automatically recognizes the phone and syncs. It has not done some the past few days since my upgrade.
Your iPhone syncs but not automatically when your iPhone is connected. You must go to all the trouble of having to manually select the Sync button which is having a dramatic effect on your lifeline for work, etc. - having to manually select the Sync button?