ITunes doesn't recognize my iPhone

Question

So an iPhone 3GS (with iOS 4.1) has been mine for a year and now I haven't been able to sync it for weeks now. I think the problem started after I downloaded the new iTunes (10.1.1.4). Whenever I plug it into my computer iTunes won't recognize it, and it doesn't even start charging. I'm running Windows XP on my PC and it keeps recognizing my phone as a digital camera.
I've un- and reinstalled all the Apple programs including iTunes and Apple Mobile Device Support several times. I've deleted all my apps on the phone which were downloaded directly to the phone. I've restarted both the computer and the iPhone a few times and still nothing.
Apple Mobile Device Support was restarted too, and I tried to update the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver with no success. It's not easy because in the Device Manager there is usually nothing under Universal Serial Bus controllers. My iPhone is usually located in a different section called Imaging Devices (I'm not sure if these were the right words, 'cause I'm using Windows in Hungarian), with Apple Mobile Device USB Driver name. I've tried to enable it and update it, but whenever I select usbaapl.inf I'm told that Windows cannot find the file. I've tried different locations, not just Mobile Device Support\Drivers but system32 too.
The other night when I kept trying to update the drivers (one appeared in USB controllers section, too) my phone started to charge somehow and an iPhone 2# device or something like that appeared in the Device Manager, but iTunes didn't recognise it. Now it won't charge again. Of course, I tried other USB ports.
I don't know what to do I've been reading topics for a while but found nothing. I hope you can help me, it's driving me crazy.

Answer 1

I'm struggling with the same issue.
I synced by iPhone once without issue. Now, no matter what I try, I cannot get iTunes to recognize the iPhone. Apple support was no help.
Tried uninstalling and reinstalling at least 3 times. Even went to the trouble of scouring the registry to eliminate any and all references to itunes and ipod before reinstalling.
The phone connects to Windows just fine... can see it in Explorer, etc.
Tried all of the "reset the phone", etc.
I can plug it into another computer, and itunes will recognize it.
I can see the APPLE MOBILE DEVICE in services, and can start/stop/restart the service, and get no error messages.
When I look in Device manager, I do not see any sort of Apple Mobile listing under USB, etc.
I can see the iPhone listed under PORTABLE DEVICES. I've tried the "search for updated driver", but it reports back that the driver is current. It considers it a digital camera.
I've tried starting and stopping firewall and AVS.
I just love these "user friendly" devices that give you no troubleshooting clues whatsoever.
Any new suggestions? I've poked around alot on the web, and this support forum, and here lots of issues with this, but no solution.