epson registry data read error

I have a Epson Perfection 1660 Photo Scanner. When I click on the Epson
Smart Panel icon it brings up an error message: "Registry data read error,"
and the scanner refuses to function. The only way to get it to work is to
uninstall the software and totally unhook the scanner. After that I
reinstall the software and hope up the scanner, all according to the Epson
instructions. It works ok for awhile, but after a week or so I get the
exact same message: "Registry data read error."

I have searched the scanner reference guide and the troubleshooting section,
but I can find no reference to this message.

If you have any information that would help me solve this problem, I sure
would appreciate it. Thanks.

Robert A. Cunningham