From Producer 8.53 to X1 - Taking the plunge - Advice?

Install 32-bit 8.5 alongside X1 on your new computer. Use it when you want to rework old projects, and to complete current projects. For learning your way around X1 and resolving 64-bit plugin issues, make a disposable copy of one of your larger existing projects and use that as your training room.

Great advice from bitflipper. I have 32 and 64 bit installed for both 5.8.3
and X1. Old stuff stays in 8.5.3, new stuff is going well in X1. I jump back
and forth from 32 bit -vs- 64 bit, but 64 bit is stable for me. I`m using less
and less of any 32bit stuff.
Good luck and have fun.

Don Belisle
Q6600 desktop, i5 laptop, 4 Gig mem, Motu Ultralite III, M-Audio Fasttrack USB 2.0,
Izotope tools, Melodyne, Dynaudio monitors, BX8 monitors, Yahama midi gear. ect. ect.

You mention getting a new computer but don't mention what it is?  I'm also assuming this new system will be dedicated only to SONAR - yes????  What are the specs - laptop, desktop, RAM, processor, brand, hard drives, etc?????
 
Any off-the-shelf computer (HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, etc) will need to be stripped down to the very basics.  The first step is to remove all the little processing stealing apps the manufacturer installs.  Next would be to apply OS tweaks like removing unnecessary services, disabling secondary NICs (and maybe primary if you don't want any network access) and the floppy controller in Manage Hardware, etc.
 
To me the only way to really strip down the system is to install a retail version of Windows 7 64-bit.  Then you only have to deal with OS tweaks and not have to worry about or run into left over manufacturer stuff.  Either way - retail OS install or stripped down original OS - if you EVER have to call for support you will not get it.  The only support will be, "please use the system restore disks that came with the system to restore the computer to the original system specs.  Call us back if there is still a problem."
Another thing to do after receiving the system is to do Windows Update until there are no more Windows updates to do.
 
Only when the system is stripped down to the very basics and the audio interface is installed and working would I proceed with installing SONAR.  I'm also assuming you are installing an upgrade version of X1 which I believe will require you to installed previous versions of SONAR (like 8.5 and maybe 8 if 8.5 was an upgrade only too - that's what I had to do) before you can install X1.  This is not a bad thing as it allows you to work with your 8.5.3 version projects as is.  The only problem may be with some plug-ins since it's 64-bit and not 32-bit.
 
Transitions are tough no matter what the application is (SONAR, PT, Windows, Office, etc.) but IMO worth the effort.
 
John
 

Make sure you have the latest build of X1.  Should be 255.  It fixed a real quirky issue when using more than one MIDI controller which then interfered with control surfaces.  It also seemed to treat the ASIO drivers better.  I came from 8.5.3 that was rock solid...now X1 is running with the big dawgs