Howdy,
I've downloaded all of the X3 files into the same folder, and I click on part 1.exe--and I get this error message:  "An error occurred while unpacking files."  Tried several times, restart, etc.  What is going on?  Help appreciated.

Perhaps the download was corrupted - make sure you have your antivirus suspended during download.
 
Bob Bone

No antivirus on that computer.  Yes, I thought it might be corrupted, since the readme file was corrupted.  Carp.  I have limited broadband and am already over.  I'll have to pay a fee and download it again.

There is an MD5 hash check on the install files (http://www.cakewalk.com/x3install). Expand the links at the bottom of that page for your appropriate version. You can get a tool to calculate the MD5 hash from cnet or such. I recommend you verify which files you have that ARE correct prior to downloading them all again (will save you time).
 
Michael

mettelus
There is an MD5 hash check on the install files (http://www.cakewalk.com/x3install). Expand the links at the bottom of that page for your appropriate version. You can get a tool to calculate the MD5 hash from cnet or such. I recommend you verify which files you have that ARE correct prior to downloading them all again (will save you time).
 
Michael

Thanks, Michael, but I don't know what MD5 hash means or how it comes into play.  I never dealt with that in 8 versions of Sonar.  I downloaded again, and got the same error.  I guess my X3 weekend is blown, and I have to call support in a few days.

The MD5 hash is essentially a summation of the data contained in a file, and gives a unique sum. These are used to verify that the file you download is IDENTICAL to the file on the server you downloaded it from. The MD5 hash is a number that is like a thumbprint, so that you know you have the correct file prior to trying to install.
 
The program I used to verify my X3 downloads is called "FastSum" which has a free trial version. You open the file(s) you want to know the thumbprints on, and it will calculate them for you. Then you can check those against the "MD5 hash" listed on Cakewalk's install site.
 
Michael

http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2897838

This was something I got very hot about with X2, since I had corrupted install files that actually installed (which totally baffled me). Here is my original post for more info if interested:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/X2-crashes-Installation-Checks-and-Suggestions-m2731387.aspx

And MD5 Hash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD5) is a unique ID 32 characters long that you can verify against what you've downloaded. Using the MD5 Hashes (32 characters long) on the link above and then using a program like http://download.cnet.com/MD5-SHA-Checksum-Utility/3000-2092_4-10911445.html to get the md5 of what you have downloaded (On the link: For a breakdown of all installers included with the SONAR X3 ... ) If they don't match = bad install package. You need to check all of what you download. A few of them I found did not completely download for me on the first try. Checking the hash FIRST saved me a headache!

Thanks for the education Mike and hockeyjx.  I will try that utility.