Complicated problem...

[Eqlipse]

After installing some new drivers for my soundcard
(Creative Labs Live!), my computer failed to start. Loading
it in safe mode such that I could see the boot sequence, I
saw it was hanging on the "mup.sys" file. After trying
several other boot options, all of which hanged on that
particular file, I loaded my Windows XP Home Edition CD and
booted from there.

First, I tinkered around with the recovery console, looking
specifically at the bootcfg (boot configuration) and the
processes being loaded. I didn't change/alter anything, I
just looked at all the settings and processes, and couldn't
find any discrepencies.

Next, I instead ventured to "setup Windows XP now," the
first option on the CD's boot interface. From there, it
automaticaly detected my current operating system, and gave
the option to "Repair the selected Windows XP
installation". I already knew this option was there, but I
prefer not to allow an automatic process run through until
I have tried to fix something myself (I've been using
computers for over 17 years now, and prefer doing things
myself). I let it run-through it's automatic processes, and
reboot my system.

Now comes the interesting part, where I am at right now:
irregardless of whether or not the CD is in the drive, it
will automatically start the setup process. What's more, it
shows the "The File 'Asms' on Windows XP Professional
CD-ROM Is Needed" error, which means it cannot see the
CD-ROM... which would not be such a great problem, except
it can't see ANY devices, including my keyboard and mouse,
eventhough it seems to think they're there. It didn't hang
at that point, it simply doesn't see/accept any input from
any devices. And, irregargless of what boot options
selected (or even new ones created through the recovery
console), it will start Windows XP Home Edition Setup...
even in safe mode, which it tells me ic can't do, and to
restart (in which case it's apparent that even through that
boot sequence, it still cannot read any input devices).

Now, before I completely install a fresh new copy of
Windows XP on my primary hard drive and risk losing all of
the valuable work I had on it, I would much like some other
alternatives.

Thank you.

 

[sqr]

Boot the computer into safe mode if you can to remove the SB Live drivers.
When you have the system running again then disable or remove what you can
in device manager eg.video, LAN drivers. When this is done then install the
SB Live drivers first.

If you perform a repair install be sure you select the second repair option
as this will keep all of your setting and files. The only caveat is you must
reinstall all of your patches and updates.

 

[Guest]

Okay, I wasn't very clear before. IT DOES NOT BOOT. If you
read more carefully, attempting to boot into safe mode only
halts the system because "setup cannot run in safe mode."
And none of the input devices are being read by "setup,"
which, by the way, boots with the first three steps already
completed and offers no options for setup.

The driver issue was already cleared with the reinstalling
of the windows drivers through the setup program. In other
words, the drivers are not the problem right now: it's the
setup program starting up all on its own without even
offering any options to it, irregardless of wether or not
the CD is in the drive. This is interesting considerng I
told setup to repair a currently existing installation, not
to create a new one.

Again, just to be clear: the drivers are not the problem,
but merely where this all started. The problem right now is
the setup program runnin on its own accord and screwing up
royally.