I am in the market for my first DAW and have been evaluating demos. I downloaded the demo of X3. The 64bit version refuses to install on windows 8.1 (some sort of corrupted file path). The 32bit installs ok, but no session drummer. The only instruments that are available is cakewalk sound centre.
 
Was session drummer supposed to be installed for the demo of X3?
 
Thanks
Steve

Look here. Scroll down to see a list of what is in the demo.
And also here to see comparison. Again scroll down to see features of all 3 versions of Sonar.
Hope this helps!
 

You may need to download the install files again, if they got corrupted during the download.
 
Lots of folks use Chrome, which has a rudimentary download manager of sorts in it.
 
Another cause of some issues is if you try the install and you have your antivirus software running.  Sometimes, that can interfere with the installation process.  I actually had a corrupted download from having antivirus software mess it up, so the last time I downloaded it, I suspended my antivirus software and it all downloaded fine.  I use Avast antivirus software, and thus far have not had it interfere with installation of Sonar.  AVG did for me, however.
 
The other poster provided a link that shows what you get for the demo.  Basically, a lot of the plugins are not included, because the purpose of the demo is to try out the Sonar engine and functionality.  many of the plugins would not be able to be demo'ed so they just don't include them.
 
After you install the base version of Sonar, download and install the latest maintenance version for it, which is X3e.  That will give you the latest maintenance, and is quite stable.
 
Good luck - post back if additional questions or troubles.  The forum is am excellent strength of Sonar's, and compliments it well.
 
Bob Bone
 

Nope.... uninstalled, installed again, disabled AV, tried the update but this will not upgrade the demo. Tried contacting support with no response. Even the supplied demo track only has one note in it.
 
Getting fed up with this now. I might abandon X3 in favour of Mixcraft 6 with Ezdrummer2. The demo of this has worked flawlessly. 
 
Thanks for the advice anyway.
Steve

Did you explicitly run the installer "As administrator"?
 
If you didn't you need to.

Looking at the demo from Thatsastrat link I don't think the demo comes with Session Drummer 3. That does not surprise me because SD3 comes with a lot of samples that would take a lot of time to DL.  
 
Really if X3 runs well on your system then you will know that you should buy it. Its a great DAW!