Failed install of X3 multiple attempts..win7 64

I'm really enjoying X3 Producer on my laptop...but I've had several failed attempts to install it on my DAW.  First, I downloaded the files directly to the DAW, also Win 7 64...where several earlier versions of SONAR and Cakewalk are still installed and running just fine.  I ran the first Producer installation file as administrator and setup worked until a window asked: insert disk 12 and press ok.  Huh?
I rebooted, hooked up the external drive with known good install files...they were used successfully on the laptop minutes earlier.
Setup ran a while and up popped an error window: setup-1.bin could not be located.  At both hang points I attempted to browse for the file(s) setup wanted to no avail.  I rebooted tried a couple more rounds of everything.
At that point, I decided to create an alternate User Account.  Doing that has saved me numerous times in the past.  Alright!  Setup goes all the way thru to inputting my name, company, serial# etc. I Ok'd continuing setup.  About this time-frame I'm not sure of the order of events but setup announces the same ".bin" error, asked for disk 1 this time, instead of the previous disk 12, popped a window wanting Producer part 2, "please download previous packages" (when I attempted to install part 2 manually) and so on and so on.
I'm tired and upset and all the usual stuff when things don't go as planned...and you NEED to get things working soon.  My only remaining idea at this point is that there was probably a corruption in the original, dowloaded-to-the-DAW, files and the first attempted install then became corrupt, causing corrupt or missing files in the registry, yada et al.
I've spent additional hours searching this forum and the internet in general trying to solve this mystery, but I'm no Sherlock Holmes.  I know about enough operating system theory to be highly dangerous, although I have had some successes in the past cleaning up registry strings that I can go there if well guided. Deleting older serial numbers that got in the way in certain apps...yeah, I can handle that but only if I have clear instructions.
So, what do my savvy colleagues here think about a course of action going forward?  Just a registry cleanup?  I haven't found any folders that are labelled X3-anything in Program Files but surely there are some related files somewhere other than just the registry.  Your assistance is most appreciated.  Thanks.
 
Dub
k4dub

Do you have a firewall and/or Anti-virus? If so, disable them.

I would suggest completely removing all traces of whatever attempted to install, and starting again - from downloading the files all over again.  This would include deleting registry entries, if present, and also deleting any local application data in its hidden folder.
 
To completely eradicate X3:
 
1.  Go to Control Panel>Programs>Uninstall a Program, and if Sonar X3 Producer is present, then delete it through Control Panel.  Say 'No to All' if asked if you want to delete other components.  Please note that given the install trauma, there may not be anything allowing you to run the uninstall through Control Panel.  IF that is the case, you will want to go into C:\Program Files\Cakewalk and if you see a folder called Sonar X3 Producer then delete the whole folder.  The x32-bit program lives in C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk, if it was installed.
 
2.  Open Windows Explorer.  If you have not altered the default Windows View options, you will not see any hidden folders and such, so you may have to enable Windows to display hidden items.  Navigate to C:\Users\'put your user name here'\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk, and if you see a folder called SONAR X3 Producer delete the whole folder.
 
3.  Now to delete any registry keys.  Run Regedit, then navigate to: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR Producer.  Look for a key called X3, and if present delete it.
 
4.  While still in Regedit, now navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR Producer, and if a sub-key exists for X3 then delete the X3 key.  Please note that this is for x64 Sonar X3.  The key for a 32-bit install of X3 would be: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR Producer, and there look for and delete an X3 key, if present.
 
OK - the above will clean off all traces of an install of X3, allowing you to start over.
 
I would suggest you use a file download manager to do the Sonar X3 dowloads.  Google Chrome has one built-in, and it works well.  You MUST temporarily suspend or turn off any and all antivirus software PRIOR to initiating the downloads.  This would include Windows Defender as well, if it is used, along with things like Avast, AVG, McAfee, etc.  I would recommend you use the above-posted link to check the validity of the download files, using the published hash tag values.
 
I DO believe your install issues stem from a combination of initially corrupted download files, compounded by attempting an additional install after the partial one(s) had failed somewhere along their way.
 
Good luck - on a positive note, since you exhibit the kinds of errors associated with corrupted files and not cleaning out failed installs, you will likely be just fine at the end of all of this.
 
Do not forget to right-click on the installer and EXPLICITLY click Run As Administrator, and also when you finally finish the install and run Sonar for the first time do the same.  I actually ALWAYS have Sonar set to run as administrator, which is a check box option in the Properties of the X3 launch icon, under Advanced.
 
Bob Bone
 
 
 

mettelus
There is an MD5 hash check on the install files (http://www.cakewalk.com/x3install). Expand the links at the bottom of that page for your appropriate version. You can get a tool to calculate the MD5 hash from cnet or such. I recommend you verify which files you have that ARE correct prior to downloading them all again (will save you time).
 
Michael

Above quote is from another thread referenced here for me. 
 
Thanks for bringing the MD5 hash thing up.  As I originally pointed out, my first attempt at installing X3 in my DAW was from files downloaded directly to it.  It was my second attempt to install when I tried the set of files that had already proven viable on my laptop.  It would have been interesting to find out if and how the two sets of installation files differed...problem is, I've already deleted the suspect files.
Because of the suggestions you guys have made here, I'll bet I have the ammunition to win this battle.  Thanks!  I'll report the results.
 
Dub
k4dub

Hey Ron(?),
 
It's not necessarily too late since I haven't gotten anywhere yet with the problem.  I can always use X2 until I have the time and energy to revisit X3 on the DAW.  I haven't yet run the MD5 app so there's still a chance the download could have a glitch.  
The prospect of reformatting and re-installing Win 7 on this machine is time consuming enough but having to back up 500 gigs and replacing it all again makes belly and my head hurt.  
On the other hand, I haven't tried any modern backup programs, and I am rather fond of a clean OS.  So, who knows, maybe I'll wind up going that route.
I do have a question for you, since you're apparently experienced at this restore process.  Let's say I did just what you described and I came up with a great-running system, after which I wanted to install a new MOBO, RAM & CPU.  Is it feasible to use the image of that system on top of a new MOBO?  I know it's been done in the past but there always seemed to be problems with the resultant systems.  What about these days? Is it practical or too dangerous when one is dealing with 500 gigs of apps and data?
This old machine came with Vista...plus a free upgrade to Win 7 upon its release, so that tells you almost exactly how old she is.  I need more power and speed to render the occasional video projects... during my lifetime, please!  The CPU is an early Intel Quad running around 2.3 ghz which is only passable for editing HD video, so I'd like to upgrade without breaking the bank.
 
With all that in mind, Installing X3 on this machine is gonna take lots of time unless I get lucky with the current system.
 
Thanks for taking the time to offer your input; I'll check out the backup program you mentioned.
 
Dub
k4dub 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

If I had your situation on MY computer, I would not be looking at a complete reload of Windows, along with all applications and data.
 
I am also not at all sure about the concept of loading a Windows image from one computer to another, due to chip set and other driver issues, registry issues, and application issues.
The only time I have ever seen something like that is ghosting identical machines from a master copy, where identical hardware is present between the computers.
 
 
I do not believe it would work at all, and in any case, it is certainly not needed for your situation.  Simply completing the removal steps for the failed X3 install would be the only software task to finish prior to installing it again.  I would start with that.
 
If your computer is that old, I would suggest you complete the X3 trace removal, then install it again, and see if it works on the older computer.  If so, then you are OK for a bit, while you contemplate upgrading to a new computer, at which time you could install X3 on the new computer - allowable per the Cakewalk software licence agreement terms.
 
Doing things per as noted above gives you a free shot at seeing if it will work with the computer you have.  I DO recommend you consider picking up a new computer for X3, as it will make a HUGE performance difference, and may well be more stable as well.  
 
There are a zillion thoughts from a zillion folks on what specs would work for a computer to run Sonar on.  There are purpose-built computers available for running Sonar, as well as fully functional Best Buy types of pre-built computers, or you could build your own.
 
I would suggest an Intel-based i7 processor, on a good motherboard, with 16-32 GB of memory, a solid-state primary hard drive, one or two regular 7,200 rpm SATA III drives, and either two or perhaps three displays.  I use the on-board graphics of my computer and do not have a separate installed video card, and run two displays just fine.  You could always start with that and then decide if you wanted to pick up a more robust video card.  For displays, I chose to use a 32" HDTV ($200), and a 46" HDTV ($354), and those work wonderfully well for me.
 
If picking up a new computer, make sure drivers exist for any hardware you have, such as for a dedicated audio interface, for the version of Windows you would get with the new computer.  Please note that I have seen several reports on the web of Windows 8.1 driver issues.  I happen to use Windows 8, and may or may not ever upgrade it to Windows 8.1 - I happen to really like Windows 8.  Windows 7 is also a fabulous OS for running Sonar.
 
Bob Bone
 

"Shift click and Select the 4 Sonar install files.
Right click and select extract here.
Windows will create one setup.exe file and about 10 or 12 or so .bin files (I forget the exact number)
Then just double click the setup.exe file and away you go. I've found when people have installation problems this is often the easiest fix if the installers aren't corrupted."

Well, Mike, after countless hours of agonizing over my installation woes, your suggestion quoted above actually forced X3 to install on my DAW! Thank you very much!!
It wasn't totally smooth sailing, mind you. There were several hundred files, mostly Session Drummer sounds and perhaps some loops and such, that stopped the installation along the way and I had to click 'ignore' about 500 or so times...really... but I was determined to get all the way thru setup even if I had to click 'retry' for another hour or two. It worked!
I've run X3 and put it through a few paces...nothing extensive yet...but at least it's mostly installed and seems to run just fine.
I can't help but wonder if those missing files (during setup) were part of the extra 'loops and one-shots' installation folders that I left out intentionally? I had read that I only needed to install the four, basic, X3 installation folders, so those were the only ones I extracted 'here' as you described. I had the previous 'X' versions installed and was under the impression that all of the extra files were the same as those on X3 and therefore weren't needed since they were already in place. Someone, please advise if I'm wrong about that.
In any event, since setup completed, it shouldn't be a problem adding what's missing, if that's the case...or even uninstalling and re-installing more completely if necessary wouldn't be a problem since your technique seems to work magic.
On the other hand, if those missing files were supposed to be in the folders that I installed, there must be something corrupt somewhere. The HASH numbers all matched the originals so they're not the culprit.
But if I'm only missing Session Drummer sounds and maybe a few others, I don't really care about that. I'll be using Addictive or Superior Drummer anyway.
Again, thanks for everyone's help, and a big thumbs up to you, Mike. You saved the day and more.
Dub