Phoen1xPJ
 
I started poking around in device manager and found this error in PCI bus: 
Input/Output Range 0000 - 0CF7 used by:
ACPI x64-based PC
 
 

When was the last time you did a bios update ?
Could also be a failed install of drivers on the PCI itself, a bad registry entry, could be many things.
 

Back to the future!

chuckebaby
 
When was the last time you did a bios update ?
 

 
Fairly recent... I think it's up to date...

For whatever the worth, I have a Presonus AudioBox 1818VSL USB interface that has 8 mic pre's and decent performance, and there is an older but still pretty nice expansion unit that connects to it via ADAT (Light Pipe) cables, and that gives you an additional 8 inputs, and it all still works quite well with the USB connection to my computer.
 
Both of the above can be found used - I don't have a price on the above interface (used), but I picked up a used one of those expansion units (also from Presonus) for $120, and it runs perfectly.  The current brand new price for the Presonus AudioBox 1818 VSL audio interface seems to be $399, so used should be pretty reasonable, as well.
 
Bob Bone
 

robert_e_bone
For whatever the worth, I have a Presonus AudioBox 1818VSL USB interface that has 8 mic pre's and decent performance, and there is an older but still pretty nice expansion unit that connects to it via ADAT (Light Pipe) cables, and that gives you an additional 8 inputs, and it all still works quite well with the USB connection to my computer.
 
Both of the above can be found used - I don't have a price on the above interface (used), but I picked up a used one of those expansion units (also from Presonus) for $120, and it runs perfectly.  The current brand new price for the Presonus AudioBox 1818 VSL audio interface seems to be $399, so used should be pretty reasonable, as well.
 
Bob Bone
 

 
Great tip, Bob! I found new for $400, refurb for $320, used for $300. I could not find the expansion unit... do you have a model num for that puppy?

This recent thread (last week!) from another Layla user might be worth a look:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Old-Interface-New-Slots-What-to-Do-m3730567.aspx
 
In fact, I thought it was you at first, because of the Layla.  Echo made great cards back in the day (In popularity, they were probably second only to M-Audio among CW users).  I used to own a Gina 3G, but sold it when I got a system with the aforementioned bridged PCI slot.

I wanna give a huge thank you to all you guys for tips and encouragement. Y'all have pointed me in directions that yielded super stability in my SPlat! To wit...
 
I have a prog monster that I am currently working on named "Pleasant Dreams." It is 25:30 and 128 tracks long. I just spent all night (yep, night owl) Melodyne-ing through all the scratch vocals which include melody & harms. SPlat never once choked or threw an error. I kept the project open all that time (frequently saving) and then I went back and recorded automation for Vocal Rider. In the midst of this I had my Internet connection up and would occasionally take a peek at Facebook. I also had Outlook open checking e-mail. The Project is still open now and is purring contentedly.
 
I credit a cuppla things... one tip to limit my undo history to 10 was great (I forget who gave it.) Another discussion about the PCI bus prompted me to uninstall the PCI bus from Device Manager, reboot, then let it reinstall everything. (It was a *bunch!* There are a ton of dependencies on the PCI bus on my mobo.) When all was back in, Device Manager looked totally clean (except that one nagging aforementioned ish, but it didn't matter!) I then brought up SPlat and did aforementioned operation.
 
It looks like my Layla 24 is performing perfectly. No hiccups or errors at all. Mebbe I don't need a new audio interface after all.
 
Another thing is the Internet connection. I keep it up all the time. Tried turning it off but no diff in SPlat (which is central reason for this machine.) I also have a virus scanner running *but* have made exceptions for all SONAR files and processes. Methinks that all the terror over being on the 'net with a DAW is a tempest in a teapot. My current experience shows that it doesn't matter. I may be in a minority over this but I calls it like I sees it!
 
Please feel free to discuss my findings. Again, a *huge* thank you to y'all who spurred me on! Pleasant Dreams!

Glad you got things working without having to buy anything

Zargg
Glad you got things working without having to buy anything

Thx, Zargg!
 

I just worked on another 10:45 tune comping 8 trax of a friend's *blazing* Viper electric violin down to one. Flawless performance and I still have not shut down SONAR from "Pleasant Dreams." I think I've got the stability thing licked! SONAR has been running 8-9 hours with no crash...