HELP PLEASE!

Have read many threads on this and other SITES and tried everything suggested (except swap out CD drive - don't have a working older drive to try). This PC is at least 5-6 yrs old - has original Hitachi CD/DVD Drive (reader, not writer). Have unplugged ALL devices from back of computer. Just has (1)internal CD/DVD drive and (1) internal LS120 floppy drive left installed.

Something happened to computer - Windows XP Pro would no longer run. Tried re-installing Windows XP Pro. using OEM CD with hologram. Attempted to do a repair install, instead of a FRESH install - hoping to be able to keep all programs/devices intact.

During installation, computer got stuck on: "The file 'asms' on Windows XP Pro SERV Pack1 CD is needed" Type the path where the file is located and click OK"

"Copy files from: Global Root\Device\CDRom0\I386."

The screen is locked, and I can not type or change anything. Can NOT change the path. Can not hit SHIFT F10 to get to a DOS prompt, etc.
Have tried running in Installation Recovery Mode, and can get a C:\Windows prompt. However, can't copy any files from my CD (D:\) drive. Can't seem to be able to run REGEDIT. Wanted to try the MICROSOFT SUPPORT suggestion (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=311755), but don't know how to get to REDEDIT.

I can get to SETUP mode and back to Windows installation mode, but that's it.

Suggestions on what to try next?
Should I try a "Fresh" Windows install? Will I lose any programs or devices? Will I have to re-install all my programs and hardware all over again, if I install in the same directory on C drive? Note, I have a NTFS file system on HD, not FAT32.   Thanks!my only sugestion get an unatended setup CD install winxp of thatI have this problem when I tries to install media CENTER. The only thing you can really do is get a new disc becuase the disc is read only, and the file is corrupted so this nothin gyou can do about it but try a DIFFERENT CD.I had the same error message when trying to repair WinXP Pro.  My question is where is this ASMS file. I could not find it on factory install disk or on a slipstreamed disk I created. I found a directory ASMS but no file. Does and file actually exist somewhere?