HELP HELP HELP HELP!!!

Additionally, the Microphone works in other programs. I can turn it up and listen to it through my speakers just fine. It's only cakewalk that isn't able to use it.

your onboard soundcard will not work in ASIO driver mode.  don't even try that one.  most onboard soundcards work best with MME driver mode, but some will work with WDM and WDM is better if available.

when you say it "can't read" your microphone and says you need to disable it, you'll need to give us more detail on exactly what the error messages say and where they say it (when you first start MC, when you try to select the microphone?  when?)

which operating system?

As I said, the microphone works in other programs and even in Windows itself as I can listen to the mic, unmuted through my speakers. Cakewalk is the only one having a problem.

this is when you're in MME driver mode?  not ASIO?

go to PREFERENCES and look at the PLAYBACK and RECORDING DEVICE(S)
what is listed there and what are the other options?

Hang on... This is messed up. Under Recording there are two "Microphone (High Definition Audio)" One of the two works... completely, exactly as expected... I don't understand. The settings don't appear to have changed.

Make sure your sound card sampling rate and bit depth match MC's.
My RealTek in this computer amazingly defaults to 24-bit.
That's probably not it, though. It would likely record, but out of synch and/or distorted/stretched.
What are all the other devices you have connected?

I work in the electrical business...and music is a hobby to me at this point in my life.

So in the electrical business.....I must have tools to do my job properly. I have a choice.... I can go to Walmart and K-Mart and buy some screwdrivers in a blister pack for $4.99 for 6 different screwdrivers, or I can go the the electrical supply store and buy one Klein screwdriver for $9.99.... it's my choice... Same deal with the other tools I use. A set of pliers from Walmart for $1.99 or Klein sidecutters for $25.99

I choose to buy the much more expensive tools..... not because I like to spend money, but because they are much better quality tools and will do the job I need them to do every time I use them and....they are comfortable to use.  So when I need a new tool, I buy the best I can get. 

Why the discussion about tools....?

Back to what I told you some time back..... if music is your business.... if you are making money from it.... doing whatever it is you do.... why are you messing around with the "k-mart screwdrivers" ? (MME and factory sound cards) 

Go out and buy yourself a decent professional quality interface and do the job right. All the problems you are having would be solved with a professional quality USB interface that runs native ASIO drivers. 

Always work with the right tools.... it's so much better.  While, as I said, music is a hobby, I am serious about the music I write and record. As a result, I researched the software and the hardware I would need to "do it right" and went out and that's what I bought to get started. 

Just a suggestion: Go buy a nice interface tomorrow and be done with the problems associated with trying to run a factory card on MME. 

Well, my job isn't to make music. A fair assumption, because I'm using music creator, but still an assumption, and in this case incorrect. The tools I use such as Music Creator weren't the issue here. It's the driver. I could've used audacity and gotten the same issue... I use Music creator because it's the easiest way to edit sound files in the 30-45 minute range on one audio track. It is important that I use the same setup every time, and I have cakewalk the way I like it. I use MC over something like "express" because I also use music as a hobby. I record small diddies for fun and have no intention of making it big. However, many people are limited by the amount of money they can invest into a hobby. I spend about $200 a year on all music and sound equipment I use. Sometimes I upgrade my microphone. Sometimes I get the newest music creator. Sometimes I save up and get a nice amp modeler. So, I suppose... yeah... I could upgrade to Sonar Studio Pro... and how much better will that make the audio recordings I do? Really? One voice talking for nearly an hour. Is the difference going to take my production level up to the extreme? I'm not even sure any of the clients I work for would notice... someday I'll get the external soundcard... but I'm not exactly working with Pavorati, and I'm not recording Pagliachi. It's one guy... talking. MC is all I need for that. And upgrading wouldn't have solved the problem I had... Thanks for the advice, though.