[Edit :  In what follows, references to Partition Magic should read Partition Wizard.  Thanks to CakeAlexS for leading me to realize my mistake.]

I just installed X3 Producer on both my floortop and my laptop.  For some reason, there were some significant differences in the installation process, even though I was installing from the same set of downloaded files.  Both systems already had X2 Producer on them.

Laptop :

1. I was asked for my vstplugins folder and was able to point it to the right folder on my D: partition
 
    - at end of custom setup, all destination folders were correctly listed before I ok'd them

2. I was offline, so Melodyne dialog didn't tell me that there was an update available.

3. I was told by the Install process that it needed to reboot and I accepted   --> more on this in a second


Floortop :

1. I was not asked for my vstplugins folder

2. When I had gone to the end of the custom install procedure, the vst path was set to my C: drive and no way to change it to my E: partition (on this system) by backing up, since there never was the opportunity to change it

3. I cancelled setup and restarted setup, same situation, so I told it to go ahead figuring I'd move the vsts after the install

4. Melodyne dialog pops up and a window opens (I'm online) telling me that an update is available

5. Setup ends, X3 fires up and everything seems fine

  --> I am not asked by X3 setup to reboot

6. The new vsts are in fact in their proper place on my E: partition, no vstplugins folder has been created on C:


Back to the laptop :

4. After rebooting, my desktop has vanished and the system tells me that my E: partition on my HDD is no longer existent.  This partition holds all my user data : desktop, My_* docs, Browser/email folders, Sonar projects, etc. etc.  In short, a large part of everything.

5. I reboot and the same situation.  Look up my drives and see only my C: and D: partitions.  At this point I'm not feeling all that great.  In over 30 years of PC computing I have never lost a partition or had a drive go bad on me.

6. I dig out my Partition Magic bootable cd, boot that, and see only unallocated space where my E: partition and two additional hidden partitions (that contained images of the OS, etc.) were supposed to be.

7. Partition Magic has a Data recovery wizard that I've never used and while I didn't really feel comfortable selecting it, I'd already lost all I had to lose so what the heck.  This wizard showed my all partitions including the lost ones and let me restore them.  First breath of relief...

8.  I then rebooted into Windows F8 repair mode and selected a command prompt.  Dir C:, ok.  Dir D:, ok.  Dir E:...ok.  Second sigh of relief !!  I still wasn't sure what Windows would do after a full reboot, but it came up with my desktop and all my stuff where it's supposed to be.

I'm mentally exhausted, otherwise I'd be dancing around in relief.  I'm leaving in a few hours to go on a few days vacation and X3 is to be a big part of that so I'm glad things turned out as they did.

Comment :
 
I can't help but think that this situation was caused by the Sonar installation process.  My laptop has never had any kind of problem and installing X3 was all I did to it today, copying the files over from a USB key and running as administrator, etc. etc.

S**t happens, I know, but I figured I should at least recount the experience for posterity.  Time to update my backups...
 

It is annoying that a new installation does NOT provide for a clean, in new folders, installation.
 
So, I have to backup ALL the plugin folders to assure nothing is "updated" without my permission.
 
Been unhappy with this for many years to come.

 
Another thing I just realized.  The install process told me (to my surprise) that it needed so many GBs of space in my partition and what was available on my SSD was less than that.  So I removed my Platinum Samples DimPro acoustic drum samples and some other stuff to make room.  After installation, there's 4+ GB free on my partition !
 
My guess is the install process doesn't take into account that you just told it that most of the big stuff was to go elsewhere or not be installed at all.
 
At least I can get my drum samples back.
 

Just a few comments if I may. Please don't interpret this as an attack or anything.. I wouldn't have enjoyed experiencing what you did either...

Of course melodyne can't auto update without an internet connection.

I thought you could specify a new VST paths when upgrading Sonar X3. The files/folders and registry entries appear quite separate?

In regards to losing a partition sorry that's definately not Sonar. This is hardware or OS specific, or some other application. Sonar writes files via calling the OS functions via libraries and there certainly isn't anything in the application which would disconnect or change the integrity of your partition. Either something else was triggering it or this was a coincidence. Right now I suggest you chkdsk all your partitions (don't use partition magic for this).

BTW last version of windows that partition magic is compatible with is XP I believe, and XP is not compatible with Sonar X3E. If you have PM installed then this might be the root cause of your issues (it should be uninstalled of not compatible with your OS):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PartitionMagic

Having said that I notice you were using the boot CD but I'm still worried about compatibility here.

In regard to temporary files as with most windows apps all the setup files would be extracted to the a hard drive partition first and then when completed it is deleted. Space is required for this so maybe that's why you see space left after install. This is not uncommon.

I'm sorry you experienced what you did. Not fun.

 
Any reasonable person would ask,   "How did the melodyne installation "know" an update existed without a connection to the server to confirm?"   Well of course, it was coded into the Sonar installation.
 
I prefer such notices during the first start of a program, not before I was sure the installation was complete and functional. I want to pay attention to what is happening now.   A Sonar installation should focus on the Sonar installation.
 
If the X3 install does "allow" for folder selection I will have to plead,  "Old nuf to pay nae mind ta what I'll ne'r yearn ta think agan."    Just is the only memory I can conjure.   (Will experience this again soon with new installation.)
 
Fur shure:  Current experience with x3, I cannot change the default program (prefer 8.5) to use with a '.CWP."
 
Maybe, on this Friday, August 22, 2014 CE (using USA calendar),  I do not have access to the most appropriate supplements. (How about a Homo Sapiens" calendar?  First known agriculture as year zero? The first city?)
 
(thanks for this:  "Floor Top" )
 
 

CakeAlexS
I thought you could specify a new VST paths when upgrading Sonar X3. The files/folders and registry entries appear quite separate?
 

 
As I pointed out, in one instance I was asked and in the other I wasn't.  Already there's something fishing going on.
 

CakeAlexS
In regards to losing a partition sorry that's definately not Sonar. This is hardware or OS specific, or some other application.

 
And yet, now everything is fine and back to normal.  I didn't do any to my laptop except turn it on and install X3.  I have always had great confidence in my Dell Latitude E6410 and so far have no reason to change my opinion.  The minute something else goes wrong I'll retract that, but I somehow doubt that's  going to happen.
 

CakeAlexS
BTW last version of windows that partition magic is compatible with is XP I believe, and XP is not compatible with Sonar X3E. If you have PM installed then this might be the root cause of your issues (it should be uninstalled of not compatible with your OS):

 
I don't know where you're getting this from, but I'm sure you're mistaken.  I have a lifetime upgrade policy with Partition Magic which has always performed flawlessly for me and (yes, it seems to be a very small operation but replies never take more than a few minutes) have always been more than impressed with the service and updates, and Win7 is definitately supported.
 

CakeAlexS
I'm sorry you experienced what you did. Not fun.

Thanks for your compassion !  I take my computer's state personally and this sort of thing does not make my day.  For a moment there I thought I was doomed.
 
I now plan to enjoy all the great things I've been reading about X3.  Have been feeling left out for a while...
 
 

Glad it worked out for you Paul.
 
Alex is right though. There is nothing in the install program that would cause your partitions to change. I realize it may seem that way and the circumstances would give you reason to think they are related. But it wasn't the install of Sonar. Something else maybe going on there in the ole Dell. May want to back up regularly just in case.
 
But I am also like Alex, you should have been given the option to install stuff where you wanted. Maybe you picked "Import Settings" from your other install of Sonar? And then the install just went with the imported info? IDK. Not really sure. RCR.

CakeAlexS
BTW last version of windows that partition magic is compatible with is XP I believe, and XP is not compatible with Sonar X3E. If you have PM installed then this might be the root cause of your issues (it should be uninstalled of not compatible with your OS):
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PartitionMagic

 

Paul P 
I don't know where you're getting this from, but I'm sure you're mistaken.  I have a lifetime upgrade policy with Partition Magic which has always performed flawlessly for me and (yes, it seems to be a very small operation but replies never take more than a few minutes) have always been more than impressed with the service and updates, and Win7 is definitately supported.

 
I got it from the Wikipedia link I quoted in that post.
I also used to be a partition magic 8.x user myself and abandoned it (in favour of Acronis Disk Director) once I realised Norton had no interest in supporting it any more.
 
If you are using PM 8 you definitively need to do the same or risk major problems such as losing your partitions.
What exactly is the version of 'Partition Magic' are you using (from Norton?). Are you also using a boot loader?

Grem
Maybe you picked "Import Settings" from your other install of Sonar? And then the install just went with the imported info?

Good point.  Selecting that option changes the install process significantly.

The beauty of Sonar is that it allows multiple VST folders which many DAWs don't.  BTW, I find the Waves installer the most annoying.  Some developer VST updates don't recall your plugin folders.  I still keep my 32 and 64 bit plus separate.  If they breed then I'm stuck with 86 bit.