windows doesn't "find" scanner

Help!
Last nite I spent 3 hrs trying to get an Epson installed on my puter
I loaded software,hooked it up all looked good but would not work.
thought something was fishy when windows didn't detect on start up.
Today I got a USB scanner,same routine,same result.!
No detection,no drivers available,
Is this a windows "issue" or could it possibly be something deeper,
like mother board?
One more hint, under control panel, no chance to look for scanner.
Under add/remove hardware there is "imaging device" . Only thing
listed there is -camera/Kodack

thanks
Carl