(Solved) X3 isn’t installing for some reason

 
 
I went to install Sonar X3 Producer and it seemed to go through the process of installation alright but it didn’t place an icon on my desktop as it should when finished. So I looked in my Program Files\Cakewalk folder and found it in there, but when I opened the .exe file the square grey Sonar intro GUI popped up for only a second or two then vanished. I looked in my list of installed programs and Producer X3 wasn’t there.  These are the details of exactly what I did in the installation process: Being still on Sonar version 8.5 I downloaded the X3 trial version about a month ago to check it out. I did a 64bit install on my 64bit windows 7 computer and I was up and running in minutes. I played around in X3 trial but never registered it. I purchased the full box version of Sonar X3 Producer and when it arrived, firstly I uninstalled the X3 Trial (I think it was about expired anyway) using the method of going to Programs and Features, selecting the program and clicking Uninstall. It uninstalled successfully. I loaded disc 1 of Sonar X3, then disc 2. When I went to load disc 3 (Dim Pro) it told me I already had a version of Dim Pro and needed to go online to download latest version, so I didn’t install disc 3. Disc 4 was just demos and tutorials so I didn’t put that on either.After finding that X3 wasn’t working I tried uninstalling using the uninstall.exe, but it said the uninstall .exe file was missing. I thought, if it is a problem with the disc installer then I will try to install the Trial version again, since that worked fine. The Trial version went through the install process but with the same end result as the full disc version—it didn’t place an icon on my desktop, it wasn’t listed in my list of installed programs, and when I went into Program files and tried to run it from there I just got the brief flash of the grey square “Sonar X3 Producer” icon. Any suggestions?

There are things to be removed to completely remove a given install of a Sonar release, including: Registry keys, application roaming data, etc.
 
Hopefully that should be addressed in the above post's link to a thread on it.
 
And, please note that running an install from a user that has administrative privileges is NOT the same as launching Sonar with the EXPLICIT option of 'Run As Administrator'.
 
I will be up for a while if you have additional issues I will try to help tonight, 
 
Bob Bone
 

Cancel that last question, guess I am tired, I opened installer folder and right clicked the install exe file and of course it gave me the Run as Administrator option then did its thing. But alas, without success. This time, at some stage when my backs turned, my computer goes off and restarts by itself during the install. I would sit and watch it to see when/why but each time it installs it has to reload every sample from Dim Pro, etc. and it takes too long.
 
Next I guess everyone will start pointing the finger at my computer and I'll have to pull it to pieces. Strange that the X3 Trial version went on without a glitch just a month ago - no run as administrator or anything.
 
By the way, my audio computer is not hooked up to the internet so I don't have any firewalls or anti piracy stuff on. Just my good 'ol reliable set up I have had for 2 years. (I also cleaned my registry after manually uninstalling X3)
 
 

What Scook said... We often hear about issues with offline PCs. Most of the optional updates are recommended as well (skip the drivers). Running windows update several times until zero updates are found is recommended as well. If that does not work look at updating your drivers and firmware directly from the vendor sites (I would do it anyway).... Cheers..

Thanks to all for your support.
 
Being offline, except in rare circumstances, my audio computer has never had Windows 7 updated. I will try to do this ASAP, though I am still puzzled that the trial version both installed and operated perfectly the first time. But when I tried to install the trial again after the disc install failed, it too failed.
 
Will post when I have tried the Windows 7 updates.

A bug to stop me from reusing it - that might well be the case, thanks Cactus Music. I did let it expire without registering.
 
I will contact Cakewalk support and they should know the remedy if this is the case. I can't re-run the Trial because even it won't install now.
 
Just checked my System and I am on Service Pack 1. I forgot that I put it on a while back. You've scared me away from updating further, Cactus, so I might just hold back from now until I hear back from Cakewal support.
 
If problem not solved I will give system details as asked by Bob Bone
 
Thank you all

Sorry but you are far more likely to run into issues if you don't update than if you do nowadays. There have been a ton of library updates and fixes since SP1. I would not deter yourself from updating windows. Backing up is always important as well. The main point is to get the software dependancies up to date before moving further (such as C++ library) and this is quite a legitimate initial course of action before you move onto the next step.

Issues with windows updates are quite rare nowadays I would not rely on one persons misfortune. Microsoft do not release updates in order to make things worse.

BTW computer definition of a 'bug' is something that is unforseen not something left on purpose. With a clean uninstall, cleanup and reinstall any residue should clear. But we are exploring other options first (a procedural order ruling one thing out after the other, right now there is absolutley nothing to give any real diagnosis of what is happening here).

Cheers.

Don't know much about C++. Is it an automatic windows update if I turn the windows updater on, or is it something I have to specifically go find and download manually?
 
(I've written to Cake support. Don't want to ring them cos here in Australia the 5 hour window of them being open is way past bedtime and way before rise time. Yes, I am lazy.)

Don't worry about C++ right now,no fault has been diagnosed yet. I would follow Bob's advice here to the letter here and get a nice base to uninstall, clean up and reinstall if necessary.

"It is super important to have Windows 7 maintenance up to date."

+1

Bob is also asking for specs and Scook had an earlier post about complete removal and reinstall.

robert_e_bone
At a bare MINIMUM, Windows 7 MUST have Service Pack 1 maintenance applied, due to Sonar dependencies on redistributable routines that only become part of Windows with that set of maintenance.
 
It is super important to have Windows 7 maintenance up to date.
 
Let's start with the above, and then we can dig into whatever is happening beyond that.
 
Please also list the details of your system's specifications, so that we know what we are working with.  You can look at my signature at the bottom of this post for an idea of what to list, or someone else's.
 
Since there are NOT widespread reports of Sonar failing to install, it is QUITE likely that we can get this figured out and get you up and running.  X3 is actually regarded as extremely stable, and one of the best releases they have ever put out, so I firmly believe this to be a solvable situation.
 
Once all Windows maintenance is applied, I believe another complete removal of the partial install of Sonar that had failed should be done, prior to attempting another install.
 
Bob Bone
 

YAY!
 
Glad you finally have this sorted out.
 
You are in a country of ex-criminals (kidding), but you are a Sonar user, and are therefore 'Family', so HAPPY to help you.  :)
 
I don't recall which version of X3 installs, but you can also go ahead and install the X3e update directly now, without having to go through the a/b/c/d updates.  Each update download version is cumulative, so you just need the 'e' version to get you fully up to the latest patched version.
 
X3e is QUITE stable, and you will have a BLAST with X3, now that you finally have it installed.
 
Please don't forget to do a reset and full rescan of your plugins as well, after you finish the X3e update.
 
Bob Bone
 

Another YAY!
 
(I had to fix mine recently too)
 
Bob Bone