i happen to still have X1, X2, and X3, all currently installed and functioning just fine on my main music computer.
The reasons I retain the older versions are:
1. Insulation against some unknown glitch in a higher version, so that if some weird X3 issue were to happen to affect some super important project, I would have the option of working on the project in one or more prior versions of Sonar, albeit with inherent limitations, but at least I could continue to move forward on projects.
2. Quite often, one or more bits of functionality or bundled instruments will be deprecated in a move to a higher release, and I tend to generally deliberately retain the older release, so that if I have to open up a project completed in the prior release, I can do so, knowing that its functionality will still be in place as needed. MY approach to projects is that I almost ALWAYS will complete a project in the same version of Sonar that I was using when I created the project. The only exceptions I allow myself are when some particular functionality in the older version is clearly broken, AND NEEDED, for that particular project and then I may try completing that particular project in the newer release of Sonar.
3. I also tend to keep the older versions, in case some forum member runs into a situation where their computer gets hosed and they are on some older version of Sonar - I may offer to assist with either testing some condition out in the older version, or may even offer to load the project on my computer, using the older version of Sonar, just to try to assist with someone completing their work on an otherwise nightmarish situation.
I will assist if possible, but can only do that with some reasonable level of engagement by the forum member. It is my observation for several years now that others in the forum would also jump in to assist with whatever issues a member is having, again, as long as there is a reasonable level of engagement in the problem solving process by the original poster.
Tossing a frustrated rant out there is certainly another option, and may well be where this thread stands. To the Original Poster - the ball is in your court - help is available, if you choose to accept help in getting your issues resolved.
A good place to start would be to describe your system, and software to us, so we can get an idea of what kind of setup you have. It helps us in our assessing likely places to look for some issues. If you look to the bottom of this post, you will see my computer specs in my forum member's Signature and Comment section (bottom of this post), for ideas on what information you could list for us.
Then, I would ask that you lay out your issues - it is usually better to do so where each issue is listed in a brand new thread, because otherwise it gets REALLY messy and convoluted to read through and keep the posts properly connected to the correct issue, so please please start a new thread for each issue you are having.
I will be pretty much eating lunch, messing around with some sound library installs, and hanging out in the forums for a good **** of the day, so if you want to wade into getting your issues resolved, I will be here today to assist.
Are you up for getting your stuff squared away? Quite honestly, X3e is very stable, so for a given system where that does not seem to be the case, there are quite likely system-specific causes for your issues, which is GOOD, because we can likely address them.
Bob Bone