FocusRite 6i6 Problems

I kicked my AKAI EIE Pro interface off the shelf and bought the FocusRite 6i6, thinking my noise problem will go away. it did. However, I can't get Sonar Platinum to play barely one measure before it stops sending audio data. The only fix is to leave the Mix Control open, and go back and forth, changing the ASIO buffer size. Doesn't matter which buffer size I pick. Alt-Tab back to Sonar, play another measure and BAM! nothing.
 
I've tried unplugging my WiFi, running a bare bones Windows, even tried wrapping the interface in aluminum foil to keep out those alien radio waves. I've followed FocusRite's website, and have done everything they recommended. Playing with the buffer size does nothing.
 
If something doesn't happen real quick, the AKAI is going back and the FR is gonna be shelved.

1. ASIO4ALL was uninstalled when I removed the AKAI drivers. Did a full search to make sure.
2. The Mix Control drivers were up-to-date, but I reinstalled them just in case.
3. Last night I remembered that my external backup drive is always running and slowing things waaaaaayyyyy down. I yanked the cords on it and will retry Sonar to see if things change.