Windows 7: False unsigned driver error for ricoh 4in1 card reader, win7 x64

I have several Thinkpad model T61 laptops running Windows 7 x64 and I came across an unusual problem. When installing windows and using lenovo system update, I'm left with three "base system devices" in device manager. These are for the Ricoh 4 in 1 card reader. The solution is to get the 64bit vista drivers, extract them but instead of running the setup.exe, go to device manager and use the "update driver" then browse to the folder, however when I do this, I get an "unsigned driver error"

I've deleted and reinstalled the drivers over a dozen times, every way imaginable, but nothing works.

This is a new windows installation, and just to make sure the drivers work, I installed the same windows version on two more thinkpads, same model and the drivers worked.



The only thing I did have trouble with is I inadvertently unplugged my cmos battery when doing some upgrades and operated the computer for about a day when it was set on the wrong date. That's long been corrected, long before I installed these drivers, but it's the only thing I can think of that is out of the ordinary.

I'm tempted to just reformat, but I just did that (again), after a linux installation caused windows not to boot, and I spent several hours installing software, so I'd rather not start all over yet again.

Any ideas?