Thank you for your replies. I remember trying to run X1 and I believe X2 on my XP system and it had issues, but I was able to get by with frequent restarts.
 
This is frustrating. I want to use 64 bit Vista. The reason Vista is because this computer used to have Vista, and because Phonic Helix 18 drivers only available for Vista. I contacted support and they told me- it will not work on Win 7. So this is what I did:
 
I took out the SSD from my Lap Top that had Vista 64 Business on it and put it in to Desktop that had 32 bit Vista Ultimate. Surprisingly it worked and did not attempt to ask me for the keys.
 
I installed Phonic Helix driver with difficulties, and then noted that the driver would drop out- meaning- Sonar would suddenly say that Phonic was disconnected from the system, when I did not touch it.
 
I started thinking- it must be FireWire port has no drivers. Nothing had drivers- it was SSD from Lap top inside the desk top.
 
So I installed drivers from Dell web site, and then I realized- the drivers they offer for my system likely 32 bit, and I am fixing 64 bit system. Also it had other issues, such as unexpected restart and problem to open Internet Explorer.
 
So I decided to reinstall Vista Business 64 from a disk that came with Lap top. Got ready to do it and realized- I dont have a sticker with the Product Key on the lap top. I dont understand why they did not attach the sticker- how am I supposed to know the product key? I heard there is a way to get it from BIOS, but that lap top was already upgraded to Windows 7, so likely it now has Win 7 key in the BIOS... So I am stuck, and have to go to original Vista Ultimate 32 bit, which is probably good idea because it is smaller (SSD drive is only 120 Gb), and all drivers are for it, not 64 bit. What is your opinion? Thanks.

vladasyn
This is frustrating. I want to use 64 bit Vista. The reason Vista is because this computer used to have Vista, and because Phonic Helix 18 drivers only available for Vista. I contacted support and they told me- it will not work on Win 7. 

 
Windows 8.1 drivers here (might work on Win7/Win10) for all I know:
http://www.phonic.com/index.php?dispatch=news.view&news_id=206
 
(These were released in July 2015).

Hey, thank you for your afford to find the driver, unfortunately I have original Phonic Helix 18 FW mixer, not Universal or MK2. I do not know if the driver for Universal would work- it might, but I specifically asked the tech support for Win 7 drivers and they did not say, "you can try Universal driver- it might work:. They said- it only for Vista. Then again- it depends who you talking with... I dont know why it disconnects with Vista driver. I used to use this mixer with Windows XP and it was very stable, never disconnect when I am not even doing anything.
 
How bad are VSTs in 32 bit? I never install them in 32 bit, and I have HUGE VST collection. Is it critical to have 64 bit for software synth? I thought almost all of them offer 32 bit version, or not? Thanks.

I personally would not touch 32 bit with a barge poll but needs must occasionally I guess.
Less stable and your application can only access 4Gb of mem.
Looking at your sig you can test on Win 8.1 it seems..
 
When did you ask the Q?
You could ask them the Q again on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/phonic.audio?fref=nf

Oh, no- my music computer (which you see specs for) is doing great. The Vista project is my old computer that was never used for music- Intel Core Duo 2.66 Ghz is so I can bring music to the practice place and work with my partner who needs help to get back to music production due to emotional reasons. It actually a life-saving project, literally.

vladasyn
Hey, thank you for your afford to find the driver, unfortunately I have original Phonic Helix 18 FW mixer, not Universal or MK2. I do not know if the driver for Universal would work- it might, but I specifically asked the tech support for Win 7 drivers and they did not say, "you can try Universal driver- it might work:. They said- it only for Vista. Then again- it depends who you talking with... I dont know why it disconnects with Vista driver. I used to use this mixer with Windows XP and it was very stable, never disconnect when I am not even doing anything.
 
How bad are VSTs in 32 bit? I never install them in 32 bit, and I have HUGE VST collection. Is it critical to have 64 bit for software synth? I thought almost all of them offer 32 bit version, or not? Thanks.

My take is a little different. 32 bits is for most things just fine. I ran Sonar and other DAW software in 32 bits for a long time. However I also used hardware synths a lot. This makes a difference because you're not using memory for creating the sounds or loading samples. VST effects are not memory hogs and I wouldn't worry about that issue. 
 
Heck I'm running Sonar on a tablet with only 2 GB of ram and its a 32 bit Windows 10 OS. I don't load it up with all my plugins or projects. It is used for scratch pad stuff and playback of audio. 
 
What we tend to forget is in the past and not too long ago 32 bits was the standard for an OS. We did well enough with what now seems pitiful specs. Don't over do it and if Platinum runs on your Vista system all should be good to go. 
 
I don't want anyone to think I believe 32 bits is ideal. 64 bits is far better in every way. Just don't throw out your 32 bit system because you also have a 64 bit system now. 

I have a very similar situation where I was given my daughters Sony Vaio laptop with about the same specs as yours and it came with Vista 32 Bit. She always hated this fact! 
I originally had installed 8.5 32 bit and all was good. But because I want to use it for live recording of my band, and use my TAscam us1641, I required 64 bit to make things run properly. AANd under Vista it was terribly slow and took 5 minutes just to boot...
So I pulled the original drive and shelved it and installed a 240 SSD. I also upped the RAM to 4 Gigs. ( it's max) 
My only option was a crack of W7 64 bit Ultimate. It now boots in 30 seconds! 
I always buy my OS but like you the sticker was gone and the restore disks would just return to Vista. I have no remorse about using a crack for this as after all. If the laptop had been purchased 6 months later it would have come with W7. ( my twisted reasoning) 
The hillarious part of W7 cracks as many might already know, is MS has invited me to upgrade to W10 and I can reserve a copy... but I think I'll pass for this machine MS doesn't seem to get it when it comes to hardware drivers.  
The only issue so far is the Function keys do not have a 64 bit driver so they don't work. Sony sucks at updating drivers. 
I have installed Platinum 64 bit and forsee no issues with using it for the bands recording and a VST host for keyboard parts. As you know most all 32 bit apps still run just fine with 64 bit OS. And you can always dual install Sonar 32 and 64 bit side by side. 

Maybe a bit off topic, but just to lend some moral support: This is another example of "progress" gone awry. Vista is a damn good OS, in fact it is my favorite. I'm on it now. I may continue with it past 2017 if I feel safe on it. I prefer it even to Seven. Touch screen? Who the hell uses that? I think you can do fine on it with whatever version of sonar you can run, if you have enough ram.

Vlada - I'll look and see if I have a Vista x-64 product key in an hour or two.
 
Bob Bone
 

Vlada - contact me via email to discuss Vista, 
 
Bob Bone