Digital BW, The Print

Sorry folks, but I cannot solve my printing problems.

I am running XP and a new Epson 4000.

About 50% of the time when I am printing, the printer stalls partway 
through a print with the message 'printing' still on the LCD display.

The status monitor comes up with an 'error during printing' and I 
lose my print.
The printer is then offline in the control panel!

I have a USB2 interface and I have switched between various ports on 
the motherboard and PCI card - no difference.

I have updated the printer driver from the website - no help.

I have spoke to Epson - their answer, reinstall windows, re-install 
the driver.  After 2 hours tonight I have done this - first print 
out, same problem!

I have tried numerous spool settings in the properties and now I am 
stuck.

Do you have any ideas what I could try, has anyone seen this 
problem.  It's getting expensive, plus I am not particularly 
impressed that I cannot use my nice new machine!

Crying out for help!  
Steve