X-Fi softwre will not load

here is my problem: i cannot load the software for my x-fi extreme gamer
soundcard. the card is recognized and when i try to install the software from
the cd, i get an "error i-001 message. after 3 days of searching the internet
and talking to creative labs (no help), it comes down to this excerpt from my
setupapi log:


[2006/12/23 13:17:16 720.3 Driver Install]
#-019 Searching for hardware ID(s):
pci\ven_1102&dev_0005&subsys_00311102&rev_00,pci\ven_
1102&dev_0005&subsys_00311102,pci\ven_1102&dev_0005&cc_
040100,pci\ven_1102&dev_0005&cc_0401
#-018 Searching for compatible ID(s):
pci\ven_1102&dev_0005&rev_00,pci\ven_1102&dev_0005,pci\ven
_1102&cc_040100,pci\ven_1102&cc_0401,pci\ven_1102,pci\cc_04
0100,pci\cc_0401
#-198 Command line processed: C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
#I022 Found "PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00311102" in
C:\WINDOWS\inf\oem85.inf; Device: "Creative X-Fi Audio Processor (WDM)";
Driver: "Creative X-Fi Audio Processor (WDM)"; Provider: "Creative"; Mfg:
"Creative Technology, Ltd."; Section name: "XFi_Device".
#I087 Driver node not trusted, rank changed from 0x00000001 to 0x00008001.
#I023 Actual install section: [XFi_Device.NTx86]. Rank: 0x00008001.
Effective driver date: 05/24/2006.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_SELECTBESTCOMPATDRV.
#I063 Selected driver installs from section [XFi_Device] in
"c:\windows\inf\oem85.inf".
#I320 Class GUID of device remains: {4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
#I060 Set selected driver.
#I058 Selected best compatible driver.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_INSTALLDEVICEFILES.
#I124 Doing copy-only install of
"PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00311102&REV_00\3&61AAA01&1&38".
#-011 Installing section [XFi_Device.NTx86] from "c:\windows\inf\oem85.inf".
#E358 An unsigned or incorrectly signed file "c:\windows\inf\oem85.inf" for
driver "Creative X-Fi Audio Processor (WDM)" blocked (server install). Error
1168: Element not found.
#E122 Device install failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
#E157 Default installer failed. Error 1168: Element not found.

i have tried, switching pci slots, disabling the onboard sound and a "clean
boot". i also set driver signing to "ignore" ... none worked.

I found the oem85 file, it's from creative labs. it shows a signature ...
$CHICAGO$

; Creative Technology Ltd.
; Copyright (c) Creative Technology Ltd, 1994-2006.
;
; Description
; This inf file contains the following device for Creative's audio card.
;
; Audio Device
; - PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0005&CC_040100
; - PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0008&CC_040100
; - PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&CC_040100
; - PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0002&CC_040100
;
; Modified Date: 24 May 2006
; Version: 2.09.0006.5
;
;-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Version]
Signature="$CHICAGO$"
Class=MEDIA
ClassGUID={4d36e96c-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
provider=%CREAF%
LayoutFile=layout.inf, layout1.inf, layout2.inf
DriverVer=05/24/2006, 5.12.06.1186
;CatalogFile=wdma_emu.cat
CatalogFile.NTX86=wdm_emu.cat
CatalogFile.NTAMD64=wdmemu64.cat

is the signature right? I checked numerous .inf files and half were signed
"$CHICAGO$ and the other "$WINDOWS NT$"

also found a .doc from microsoft: take a look at this part ...

If the log file contains a #I087 message for a signed INF file, perform the
following steps:
1. If the INF file is not in the default system INF file directory, delete
only the PNF file.
2. If the INF file is in the default system INF file directory, and its name
is oem*.inf, delete the INF file and the PNF file.
3. Re-install the device.

in my case, i do have a signed .inf file (oem85.inf signed = $CHICAGO$), so
i did as instructed above and deleted the .inf and .pnf files ... it still
didn't load the software. Any ides? Thanks in advance.