Music Creator 5 problem

I have been using Music Creator 5 for some time now and heve never experienced the following problem until about a week ago. I am unable to change any of my levels ie. pan, volume, etc. This is only when recording from audio not from midi, sound center or studio instruments. The only thing that I have changed is the latency levels, but I have always changed these based on what I am recording. I am running straight into my computers sound card (through an effects processor, again as I have always done). I am using Windows XP 32 bit, if that makes a difference. Anyone else have a similar experience, or know of anything I can do? Thanks

I would recommend an external soundcard ...also called an interface.

I did a bit of work on the lappy this weekend and used the internal soundcard. There was a significant latency in a number of things that does not exist when I use my Focusrite in the studio.

On the levels issue..... are you talking about the levels going in? I use the interface to set the basic level. I was thinking that the level you hear in the headphones or monitors responded to the faders in the channels... You know,,,, after +3 years, there are things you just don't pay much attention to any more.... it just works and you focus on the other issues, like performances...