I had the same issue when I installed. Did some digging and found that the VST path for 64 and 32bit were identical.
Click on advanced in the XLN install then the VST 64bit tab. Make sure it's set to C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins. The path for 32 bit should be set to C:\Program Files(x86)\Cakewalk\VstPlugins.
 
Mine was pointing to the C:\Program Files path for both for some reason. And it was after a clean install too...
Changed them and ran the repair and all is well now...
 
Oh and run the installer as Administrator when you change the path and do the repair.

I certainly understand the frustration. You think you've done all the right things, you've got a great new DAW, you've cleaned the cobwebs out of your computer, and...I guess it's sort of like being left at the altar or something.
 
But you wouldn't return a BMW because the Blaupunkt radio was defective   I had a problem when installing the original AD and maybe it relates. If you change the Windows compatibility settings for something (I forget what), that creates a different machine ID and AD won't recognize it. It was a gigantic PITA but the XLN people sorted it out, and no kittens were killed.
 
Hang in there.

Craig did a much better followup post than me while I was bumbling along..., as he is the CRAIG.... but I'm still gonna leave most of my post...
 
Sonar runs totally compatible and concurrently with earlier versions... I have back to 8.5 installed...
It's been very helpful at times tracking one of those nasty cakewalk problems that turned out to be..........me!
 
I would think what your customers deserve is for you to troubleshoot a new release before deleting X3, as to not disrupt operations... but what do I know?  I don't have any customers...cept for those interested in climate change...
 
There's an old saying, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...doesn't often make one happy (boy, I butchered that one!)
 
Hope you get it resolved and post what the actual issue turns out to be...and modify your other posts... It seems your total reformat might have been the culprit...and XLN's issue, not Cakes...  ironic... removing pesky registry errors since X3...
 
The sarcasm above is only because you've escalated this beyond the unique issue you have and have begun "blaming" and recommending against upgrading in another thread and are using what I consider an inflammatory title based on your unique problem which hasn't been resolved.  That just ain't right, dude!
 
 
 
 

Big big thanks to Bob. I changed the path for my 32 bit VST in the XLN installer (under advanced). However, in the Program file (X86) the only folder was Command centre. So I had to add a new folder 'VST Plugins'.  The AD 32 bit drums seemed to go in that very smoothly! Good so far ( But why on earth am I having to add folders for an upgrade i do not know.) Anyway, currently, the XLN installer says everything is up to date. Now, when I add the AD2 drums in Sonar, in the drop down list, I add ad2 to a track and the fairfax vol 1 appears. But it says that this is a demo version. Where are my drumkits? I feel that I am getting closer to the promised land but still need some guidance on this thing. AD1 is fine.  Thanks again Bob!

Apologies Vastman for the previous posts.  Yes, I could have been a bit more tactful but it is now 6.27am in England and i have been at this for about 6 hours! So please give me a little slack :) I love this version - just the AD installation which has been a major hurdle for me. Normally installations of new Sonar stuff have been seamless, but for some reason, this one has been a bit of a you-know-what for me. Bob, up above has been great in working this out (grateful for that Bob!) Still one thing persists and that is AD2 being in demo mode when it is on a track in Sonar...know idea why that is and I bow down to the superior knowledge of fellow Sonar users before i collapse! :)
 

Having done all these installations my self I know there's quite a bit of opportunity for user error or misunderstanding because of expectation rather than clearly reading the instructions. Hmmmm I wonder. There's nothing wrong with saying you were wrong and made a mistake. When I think of the mistakes I've made during an installation because I missed just one little screen or instruction.

Anyway, glad you've got it working.

Thanks Anderton for the positive vibes :)
 

Glad u got it mostly resolved...Don't know about demo mode...but sleep helps!
 
Would hope you change the vent in the other thread...or append it to say it was resolved...and change the title ... to reflect the sitch... ie, "weird headache with AD2 installation resolved" If more people did this the threads would end up being actually more useful to others down the line and not send the vague messages which seem so unfair.
 
I have had weeks of headaches at times... that's the problem with the pc platform in general and I know where you're at... all nighters on many occasions trying to sort things out... for example a bad power line, even with a stabilizer/backup/conditioner thingy caused alllllll sorts of probs for months till I got it fixed....pulling my hair out, lots of forum suggestions...endless frustration till I ran a temporary fat extension chord an voila! Fortunately I never dissed Cake or impuned their amazing creation...and kept the perspective that stuff happenes and gotta sort my unique thing out first...as others weren't having my issues...
 
The biggest challenge we have is not to lash out prematurely... and as there seems to be a few trolls lately doing that... I at least have gotten a bit raw.  Trying to be a bit more whitty in my responses which, I admit, sometimes suck...
 
I'm sure XLN want's to be informed of your findings... don't know why that happened; plus they'll walk you thru the demo snag...or modify the activation as needed....you may end up doing the infamous "DoH!" as I did after they fixed me up in AD1...it was obvious but I wasn't seeing it...

Lots of folks throw a vent up, out of sheer frustration with an obstacle, particularly when it is with something preventing them from using a nice shiny new upgrade that they were getting ready to crush some new tune with.
 
I am very encouraged by your hanging in there to try to get this figured out.  If you are willing to post details on the issues, there are lots of folks in the forum that will work hard at helping you sort it all out.
 
I would also point out that Cakewalk staff will beef up presence in the forums whenever a new release/version becomes available, and hopefully early into Monday here they will jump in to help with whatever is left to fix.  
 
When you DO have issues with an install, the best thing to do to assist us all to help you is to post details on your system, what you did to prepare for the install, the exact steps you followed during the install, the exact errors/issues that arose, and what actions you took to try to get things fixed.
 
Many folks in the forums include their system specs in their forum signature, mine are in the bottom of this post, if you want an example, or look at some others.  It helps others know at a glance what sort of setup you have, and that can greatly speed up the ability of folks to help you.
 
Again, thanks for hanging in there. :)
 
(edited) Forgot to add - It sounds like the AD2 isn't registered, and is defaulting into demo mode because of that.  (complete guess, but seems reasonable).
 
Bob Bone
 

I don't even know if you still have to do so, but out of habit, I also always run installs with the explicit Run As Administrator option.  Don't know if that applies - I do recall that helping with certain registrations, so I thought I would mention it.
 
Bob Bone