I am curious if X3 and Splat can be installed completely separate of each other (i.e. nothing shared/overwritten between them)?
 
Background to this is that I was using X3/Splat side-by-side and swapping projects back and forth between them, but suddenly began getting odd behavior that manifested itself in CTDs (Splat). These then began to occur in X3 (I never had X3 CTD prior to this), so I took this as an opportunity to rebuild the machine from ground zero so I could scrutinize every piece part along the way (I really had this on my "to do"s anyway since the machine has done a lot in the past 4 years).
 
Machine came up with X3 online last week, so been spending time focusing there. Functions as I remember, and making sure I have a clear assessment of "point A" as it were. A couple projects where CTDs occurred function fine. Imaged the C drive, and just installed Foxboro (and all "Platinum related" software). I want to get back to the point where I was (sans the CTDs), but be able to more clearly troubleshoot should I trigger this a second time. My real concern is either swapping cwps willy-nilly between X3/Splat, or the possibility of shared utilities affecting X3.
 
Not to ruffle feathers or create any fire storms, but I am curious if I can install X3 and Splat completely separate of each other to remove the "shared utilities" part of the puzzle. This is more a pre-emptive thing in case I should re-trigger what I was seeing before (which may not be SONAR-related anyway).

Yes, X3, and Platinum maintain totally separate file system, appdata, and registry structures. The main commonality would be the Visual C++ Runtime library(s) installed on the machine, which could be implicated in shared crashing behavior. And, of course, they use the same plugins (except for Prochannel stuff in their respective \utilities\internal folders).

So I would need a dual (drive) boot? I actually have another drive I pull the plugs on in the box that is up and running (just slow as crap - was the green drive that came with the machine).
 
Again, at this point in time, this is not a big deal. I am highly suspi-cious (beat the word filter ) of an optional Windows update having caused this (I set Windows update to notification only and installed no optional updates since this rebuild).
 
I am doing a much more controlled entry into things this time around just in case.

mettelus
So I would need a dual (drive) boot?

I don't understand in light of brundlefly's comments why you think you would need a dual boot system.

If the shared use of the Visual C++ Runtime libraries was really an issue other programs that use those libraries would also be effected.

Edited to add:
from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2977003
About Visual C++ Redistributable Packages
Visual C++ Redistributable Packages install runtime components of Visual C++ Libraries on a computer that does not have Visual C++ installed. The libraries are required to run applications that are developed by using the corresponding version of Visual C++.