Kinda Disappointed w/ Home Studio 7XL

I can say without a doubt that I am disappointed with HS7XL. This program consistantly crashes on me, creates delays with instability issues, and other weak points that frustrates me to no end.
 
At first I thought this software was going to be somewhat easy to use and fun to work with. Boy was I wrong.  I have to reboot this program at least once during every session and if that doesn't make things bad I have to restart the computer most of the time to get the program to reload.( I can't even load a wav from it's own explorer window without it crashing)  Even though it is a low end package (150 clams is still a lot of money in my book) it should still be reliable and easy to use. I shouldn't have to worry about accidently importing an MP3 mxidown and having a full blown crash. I waste a considerable amount of time trying to find solutions to these instabilty problems. I've tried this software on 2 different computers that meets or exceeds the recommended requirements and I am getting nothing but frustration. I am fairly confident that it is not completely a hardware issue. Don't even get me started on the problems it had with my M-Audio Delta 1010LT card. Maybe Vista has something do with this? I don't know. I'm afraid to even bring up 7.
 
This software is NOT VST friendly. I have loaded VST's on Magix's Studio 12 (80 bucks at Best Buy) without any crashes whatsoever, but when I load the HS7XL with a VST that I am trying, it's time to restart the computer. If Magix S12 isn't compatable with a VST or DX it just won't recognize it. I'ld say that a safe way to handle a bad VST. By the way when I say crash, I mean the computer is completely locked up just like they used to do in the early 90's.  It still works with most VST's but when it doesn't like one, look out. This thing locks up so hard it still takes forever even after I bring up the Task Manager. Hopefully the work was saved when she goes. Boy did I lose a lot of work along the way.
 
When I first bought this software I thought I could use it to work my way into Sonar Producer. (actually I had high hopes) Now I'm not sure I want to even head up that path. I still want to give this software the benefit of the doubt but my patience is wearing very thin. It does have a lot of good features. But if the software doesn't work, what's the point.
 
Anybody have any constructive advice?
 Thanks
  Dan
 
 

Does your computer crash at all when importing MP3's or VST's?

It's not HS7XL, it's your computer. This program is very simple and clean to install and operate. If you are having this much trouble I can only predict the trouble will be found in your computer.

JGP

Some programs simply don't run well on certain systems- while others work perfectly fine on the same system. You could possibly have an hardware or driver issue with HS7XL.

Sometimes, certain video cards or on board video chips will cause issues with certain programs or vst's. It may also be a Vista issue you're having. Some of the commentators here seem to be using Xp rather than Vista... so maybe someone with Vista can give some insight?

I'm leaning toward Vista right now being the problem. I REALLY appreciate all of everyones input. The last thing I want to do is drop some more coin into another op sys.  So I will try as all suggested. Dave, HUGE thanks for that tip. I will start there and as DJWayne suggested I will reinstall. Could very well be a registry problem. On the other hand Vista has been nothing but a pain in my hiney...even though there are cool things with it (Vista that is, not my hiney).
 
Kine321..I hope it isn't a hardware issue although I understand where you are going with it. I have tried installing this on 2 different machines with different processors. (AMD Athlon 64X2 and Intel Pentium 4 X2)  Both had the same results..instability. I do know the only 2 things that they shared in common was the Delta 1010LTAudio Card which I believe I  resolved with updated drivers and Vista as the Operating sytem.
 
BTW, DJWayne..how are you liking windows 7. I been hearing good things about it. It might be the ultimate resolution here.
 
I really hope this works..Thanks again. I will follow up after all is said and done.
 
Dan

Just one more thing - you may get better results if you "run as administrator". I think (someone will correct if I'm wrong) right click the exe and choose run as in one of the menus.
It can be reversed so shouldn't do any harm.

Sonar Home Studio is a very stable product so the problem has to do with your computer or soundcard drivers. You describe 2 different computers in your description so I don't know which one you're using. What is a Pentium 4 Dual Core? There is no such thing AFAIK.

On the Vista computer, did you install SP1 or SP2. SP1 fixes a lot of the initial problems with Vista. Make sure you have the latest driver for your soundcard for Vista. Crashes are usually caused by the soundcard drivers.

Thanks all for you input. I'm still having some issues but not quite as bad as before. Still having some issues with VST's though. I hate when this thing locks up. I guess I have to be more careful when I choose to experiment.
 
Dave..Yep you're right, the HP854n is just a plain ol Pent 4. I will pull the dual core ref..sorry,my mistake. I use this computer for my keyboards, internet business, utility stuff, and music archiving. The Gateway is the creation machine, which has very little running on it. Not even Aero or any antivirus stuff. There's no need for antivirus because I have a strict rule that my DAW's never see the internet except for system or driver updates which I schedule on a regular basis. Both machines are completely up to date with SP2.
 
I find one thing interesting, I was under the impression that I only needed to Run As Administrator only for the install. I will try this and see what happens. Could be promising.
 
RCMNZ, thanks for the advice. I agree more memory.I know what you mean when you are piling on more plugs, etc. I have hit that wall and it's no fun. Things are a little tight right now but when I get some spare change that will be a priority. 2 GB will have to do for a short while. I also located a great site thru Sweetwater that offers advice to optimize VISTA or XP and other computer advice. http://www.audioforums.com/resource_center.php
This is recommended reading for all. Hope it helps anybody else having issues.
 
DaveElson, super thanks for the REVO referral. Worked like a charm. Love those gems.
 
Thanks again all.
 
 

1.5gis is not enough ram for vista. You need at least 2gigs for vista
Cj

Also... it is really, really helpful for us (Cakewalk) to know the exact plug-ins, VST, instruments, etc (manufacturer, product name, version) you have problems with because then we can try to reproduce it here and find out if it is a issue with our software or that of the plug-in, VST, instrument, etc and report it to their team directly. The more details we get from you guys on what you use with our products (hardware and software) the better we can test and alert you to potential issues you may encounter.
 
Keep in mind the fastest and most efficient way to get this information to us is by using the Cakewalk Problem Reporting Tool which is online here;
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/ProblemReporter/Default.aspx
 
Cheers,

good to hear, wayne!    

No problem at all with HS7XL. Max out your RAM.

Samara, thanks for taking a moment to share your thoughts. I have seen that screen on one or two crashes. Since I am not hooked up to the internet with that computer, how does that info get to you? I do hook it up about every 2 weeks for updates, does this info get stored and sent when it's connected? 

cakewalk software doesn't send anything to cakewalk automatically if connected to the internet.  that link that samara provided to you is a link for reporting problems. 
but I'm confused about your statement.  Samara didn't say anything about a "screen" or anything about cakewalk software reporting anything automatically.  she said you should give details on the vsts that are crashing your systems and that you should also report those details directly to the tech support team at that link she provided.

I noticed that you are using a Delta 44. I just went on M-Audio's website and noticed they have released an updated driver for our PCI cards. Finally! It supports Vista SP2 AND Windows 7. Yeehah. Crossing my fingers and keeping a defibralator nearby. BTW, how are liking the 2031a's?

I did not realize that they had released vista sp2/win7 drivers - good deal, thanks for telling me!  m-audio's been on my s-list because of their sluggishness of releasing solid vista drivers.  I've gone so far as to stop recommending their products for people using vista because there were so many people having problems with them!

I love the Truths!  I don't have a whole lot to compare them to because prior to them I used m-audio DX-4's which were way too small and didn't have near the clarity that the truths do.

when SHS crashes and won't restart - it's likely because it's actually still running.  open the task manager and look for sonar-something and it's probably still running.  I don't know if it's dumping at that point or not, but I'd think that it doesn't take long to dump.  you can kill the process at that point in the task manager and restart right away.

as i've said before - 99% of sonar crashes are due to soundcard drivers.  I hope the new one works for you!

m-audio has been a great product for many years until vista came along.  they can't seem to get the vista drivers right.  there have been others with driver problems using vista.  I have a delta 44 and it has been rock solid.  but I am still using winxp and don't plan to upgrade any time soon.