riojazz
No, not in hundreds of posts about using this test.  It is only a diagnostic tool; it doesn't change anything.  I think you correctly said, it's coincidence.  Or, perhaps the extra exercise of your system caused what was about to fail to actually fail, in which case the test did you a favor since it didn't fail during an audio project.

 
Thanks Riojazz.  I truly couldn't imagine the checker doing bad things.  The coincidence is interesting and may have been just the thing to put my HDD over the top. I kinda think a few things combined to cause harm and consternation.  GT Gardner's experience posted above is similar to what I was planning to do just before the HDD gave out.  I'm probably wrong but I lean toward the thought that some junk in one of the tracks turns out to be the culprit noting that it was only one piece that gave me grief in terms of the Audio Dropout issue.  I'd be curious as to what some of the forum's experts have to say about that as a possibility.  
 
I've set aside the victimized HDD and have gone back to my rebuilt computer operating with Win 7 64 Bit Home Premium version.  This crash is not the end of the world for me so I am not asking for someone to go out of their way. If anyone cares to comment on a fix of the HDD  ... I am experiencing what is called the Automatic Repair Loop .  
 
That is, each time it starts,  the Automatic Repair feature is invoked with the resultant "We can't fix your 'bleepin' computer". Consequently it never can get booted up WIN 8.1.  I've gone through the chkdsk procedures three or four times but can't seem to bring the drive back to a functional level.   I've been able to access, and transfer to a good drive, some of the files, but; not all so I hesitate to invoke the "Reset" fix that Microsoft suggests.  It destroys everything and places everything back to factory settings.  Under the circumstances Safe mode as well as the System Restore and Refresh features are not functioning. 
 
I've gone though most so-called solutions that appear in the several online support sites, but most seem to require destruction of the files. The recovery disc I have  does not allow a re-install of Win 8.1 as it doesn't recognize the licence key. I hope to be able to find an original WIN 8.0  Install DVD  as that might be the best route to success.  Any of ya'lls ideas are welcome however. -
 
 
 
 

robert_e_bone
Were there any effects loaded into the version of the project with the dropouts?  I ask because some of the effects can introduce LOTS of latency, and are really meant to be used during mixing/mastering, and not for tracking (recording).
 
For grins, load up the project that had the dropouts, then just prior to hitting Play - hit the letter 'E' on your computer keyboard.  This is a hot key to tell Sonar to toggle the bypassing of all effects either on or off.  So, IF you temporarily Bypass All Effects ('E') and your dropouts magically go away, then that tells you that one or more of your loaded plugins for the project are introducing a bunch of latency.  (hit 'E' again to turn effects back on).
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks Bob.  I appreciate your persistence.  It was several days ago, but; as I recall, when one launches a CWP in the safe mode (holding the shift key while opening the project) one is given the option to omit all FX ... I did this and still had the problem. Is there anything else  perhaps in a specific track that might cause the problem? By the way with the failure of my HDD I've managed to trash the original project (Bohemian Rhapsody) and am beginning to start anew.  I don't expect to see the issue come up again, but remain curious and also hopeful that others may benefit from the dialog.