Houston, we have a problem....

I went to uninstall/reinstall SQL Server Express 2005 yesterday and am no
having some major problems.

I've previously installed a preview of regular 2005, then uninstalled it.
Then installed the 2005 that comes with "orcas" the new beta of Visual
Studio. Then attempted to uninstall it. Finally, I went to the web
yesterday and downloaded the latest full install of 2005 Express. I already
have SQL Server 2000 installed and running on this PC and its still running
fine.

After the install of 2005 Express, my Start Menu will not appear, no matter
what I do I can't get it to come back. I do have a quick launch menu and
can access whatever programs it will allow me into, which thankfully has
quite a few things on it, including the Windows Explorer But this is only
a temporary cludge for now to me get through this.

Other weird things, I can't add or change users (I attempted to switch users
and was able to get a start menu with another user, but the profile was
empty because I've never logged into the PC as this user. And I have sooooo
much other stuff under my user name that really isn't the answer).

My usb ports don't work right. I insert a USB jump drive and it can't
detect it. I have a UPS that alerts the PC when power is lost and when I
boot up it says it can't detect the UPS.

I've tried system restore and it tells me I can't restore unless I reboot, I
reboot and get the same message. I've run a Windows Scan (sfc /scannow) and
no errors were displayed but I get a who series of "Windows File Protection"
entries in the System Log.

Its like the install has placed my PC in some sort of weird status where
it's only half working...like the install/uninstall didn't finish and now
I'm in LIMBO. When I boot up I get a bunch of

Is there anyway to reverse this or tell the system its not longer in
"install mode"??

Thanks for any suggestions. I really do not want to have to rebuild this
PC.

Bob

Sorry my typing is horrible today...when I boot up I get a bunch of beeps.

Also, when I go into the control panel, and try to uninstall SQL Server
Expess it acts like it will do it, then just returns without doing anything.

!!!

Bob

Also, If I try to copy any files from a CD to my C: Drive using the windows
explorer it won't let me. But I can with the command window.

What is going on??? Any Ideas are appreciated. I'm going crazy.

bob