Thanks Mudgel. On previous machines I had disabled Windows sounds. After reading that many said system tweaks in Windows 8 weren't so necessary, I didn't bother touching the sounds this time. Being I am now having problems, I just disabled the sounds and the onboard card, I never use it.
 
Opened rapture stand alone, no Output menu, Asio Control panel won't launch, Sonar looses sight of the drivers again. Reconnect the Quad and Sonar picks them up again.
 
So far the windows sounds haven't caused a problem, but they can stay off just in case. Especially from the quads point of view and a loud ping in the cans is never wanted.
 

At the moment Synkatron, I can't even use the quad with Rapture stand-alone with Sonar closed. Not tooo bothered though, but at least I seem to have found what caused the issue yesterday.
 

At the moment Synkatron, I can't even use the quad with Rapture stand-alone with Sonar closed. Not too bothered though, but at least I seem to have found what caused the issue yesterday.
 

mudgel
Just to expand, Windows can't use ASIO drivers.

Hi mudgel,
 
True enough, although I am currently using my QUAD-CAPTURE to play Windows audio. By Windows audio I mean Media Player and anything that may play audio within Chrome (youtube, SoundCloud etc.). So. at the moment, I am not using my "on-board" audio at all.
 
Regarding Windows system sounds, yeah, I always have those turned off.

I always disable on board audio and use my interface for all audio on my DAW. It seems a crap shoot if they can co exist.