I've broken cups - yes cupsd is running!

I'm at my wits end. - the problem:

root@box:/home/stuart# ps -ef | grep cup
root 6231 1 0 09:28 ? 00:00:00 /usr/sbin/cupsd - hence cups server is running

root@box:/home/stuart# ping localhost
PING box (127.0.0.1) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from box (127.0.0.1): icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.076 ms
etc.
Hence no issues with the locahost.

Going to http://localhost:631 gives plain text html - so I cannot add my Epson 880 printer. Obvoiusly I was going here in the find place to add it, as I was getting the dreaded "Connection to CUPS server failed. Check that the CUPS server is correctly installed and running. Error: the IPP request failed for an unknown reason."

Based on booting the live cd, installing the printer from localhost:631, I have checked all the packages I should have (doing a search in Kpackage on 'cups' 'foomatic' 'ijs' - some 24, are all loaded). I've also done an 'apt-get update' - so should have the latest.....

I am just so run out of ideas - anyone help? please?

Stoo.....