Sonar on a Laptop

I have been using Sonar to do post performance mix down and for practice for a number of years (10 maybe).
 
But I would like to actually use Sonar to record the original Wavs. I have not been able to using my laptop. The DPC Latency checker gives me spikes way into the red even when I have disabled the battery and tons of other items.
 
I have just spent 3 or 4 hours trying to get the computer to allow me to play for a period of more than a Half an Hour without an audio glitch and I have not been able to acheive it. I was writing to an external hard drive (USB) and using an M-Audio Fast Track Pro.
 
So... MY QUESTION...
Can I get special permission to also install this on my Desktop Computer (in addition to my laptop) since I can't actually record with my laptop.
 
It seems unreasonable to buy another copy of the Sonar to have on my Desktop because I am not able to record using my laptop.
 
I understand that my problem is that I am trying to use Windows based music software, but I shouldn't have to pay double as a punishment for using Windows based mixing software.
 
I'm depressed and considering going to another type of computer and mixing software because this is so frustrating.
 
May I have permission to also install on my desktop as work around?
 
Has anyone used Audacity to make the actual recordings on a desktop because they didn't want to buy another copy of Sonar for a desktop? I haven't geared up for this, but it's an alternative. The only bummer with using Audacity instead is that I can't apply effects in real time.
 
Thanks,
 
G

Thought it said on install that I could only install it on one machine.

People install on two and it's ok?
 
I am totally a bridge jumper. Glad to launch myself into a world of pain for no good reason, btw.

Does anyone reject the assertions of kc2ine?

Yes... I disable the wireless adapter and the web cam and the network card and the firewire port and the memory card devices and everything else I could find. I was able to get pretty far down so it's pretty reliable for just practicing, but when I have a group in to record, I can't risk these glitches. They are far too common.

I tried increasing the asio buffer and reducing the samples. I'm recording 24 bit 44.1. I will give it a try on my desktop and see if that can do the trick. The Fast Track Pro does record 6 tracks at a time.

Thanks, all!

Fog: thanks !

As long as you do not use it on more than one computer at a time then its OK.

+1 my understanding as well.

For your laptop - you might want to check out - www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html 

allows you to tweak your system for top PC performance. By temporarily shutting background processes and unnecessary Windows services, cleaning RAM, and intensifying processor performance, Game Booster 3 concentrates every little system resource for gaming only.

I saw this mentioned on some other thread somewhere on this forum and I am in the process of checking it out myself.  It looks pretty cool.  I'm not sure if it is delivering as much of an improvement as it claims but doesn't appear to be hurting anything and its free.
Just pay attention when installing unless you want an 'orbit toolbar' added to your browser.

...Steven


Edit: Just realized that the iorbit web site knows if you are being referred by another web page (this one) and may not take you directly to the download page.

Installing Sonar on multiple PCs helps us troubleshoot by allowing us to see which bugs are system dependent. If you want to use your laptop for recording, I recommend you reinstall windows, either in place of your existing install, or as a dual boot. Laptops often have a lot of junk installed by the vendors.

Sonar is runnin like a charm on my laptop ....this is not a windows question but intagration witch make the difference between a rugalr laptop  and a Pro grade one (HP elitebook here ..dpc : 90us)

So first you can isntall sonar on and even on others also !! but can only use 2 license at the same time ...

Then give us the brands of your laptop for help 

Disable (on the control panel) the wifi , just not siwtch it off ..
Disable Bluetoof , webcam and all , adn check 

Disable updates , messages concerning updates, disable firewall

Power scheme : always on max 

And most of the time if everything done and it's red : GPU !!!!

Find some certified HQ drivers for your video card : a friend bought a dell precision , excellent for audio , dpc : 140 us ...he updated the gpu driver : spikes red !
Back to old driver ...140 !!

If everything done and still sucks ...buy a real laptop ! 


Also i supposed that you have a good interface and good drivers ...


This :   http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon  will tell you witch process is the culprite but be very carefull !!!