If it is crashing to desktop, it may possibly be something to do with the graphics card, sorry for stating the obvious, but check that you have the latest drivers for that. I once had a similar issue and that was the main cause.

I've not had a perfectly smooth run with sonar, but so far it's been the only one I can get on with consistantly and don't mind staring at it's interface for ages (still prefer the Sonar 8 though lol) I've been able to trace most of my issues by using a mixture of the process manager, event viewer and service manager. I noticed you mention that you have disabled the event viewer >.< that would have been an ideal place to start as this tends to log most things and you would be surprised at what OUTSIDE of Sonar can cause issues whilst it's running.

It might be worth running a scan on your RAM, to check you are not having issues here. Also check that none of the features of the graphics card are causing it to overclock or switch from 2d/3d mode whilst you are using it as this would also cause something along the lines of which you are experiencing.

Have you tried running memtest?  A memory error can drive you batty!  http://www.memtest.org/
 
 

Thanks y'all. memory is good. Ran memtest a bit ago. Graphics card drivers are up to date. My gut tells me it is a SONAR issue.

If your able to reliably reproduce crashing in this project perhaps you could try changing the driver mode to mme and use your on board sound card. If the problems go away it may point to an interaction between Sonar and your RME driver?

Edit:
For some reason I think your using RME. Using mobile so I can't see your sig.

WDI
If your able to reliably reproduce crashing in this project perhaps you could try changing the driver mode to mme and use your on board sound card.

Now that's clever thinking....

None of these crashes are reproducible.

Hi, Conley.
 
I just noticed a recent release of the RME UFX audio interface drivers and a flash utility for a firmware update.  Both are dated 2/27/2014.
 
Are you running with those?
 
Also, and I don't know if you have mentioned this before, but is your Windows system maintenance up to current levels?
 
Additionally, it is my understanding that you have switched off the Windows Event Viewer, and I am wondering why you might have done that, as I would think there might be relevant and helpful info in there, with all of your crashes.
 
Thanks, 
 
Bob Bone
 

Conley - I looked up your motherboard, and it looks like it uses a VIA VT6308P FireWire chip - which is NOT a Texas Instruments chip.
 
I am wondering if your problems are possibly due to a compatibility issue with that.  Are you plugging your audio interface directly into the FireWire port on the back panel of your motherboard?
 
I am thinking that it might make sense for you to pick up an inexpensive FireWire PCIe card, where it uses a Texas Instruments chip set, which seem to have fewer issues.  It would be super simple to test out, and if it didn't make things more stable you could always return it.
 
Bob Bone
 
 
 

Thx all,
 
Bob, I am using a USB connection for my card, maintenance is up to date also. I also have the latest driver and bios from RME. I have always had random crashes with SONAR. This is not new to X3e, these are just what I am reporting while using X3e.
 
I did not realize the event viewer was off at the time, but it is now enabled. :) Hopefully I will be able to see something that may provide some more help.

Crazy question - is the RME plugged into USB 2 or USB 3?  (my Presonus freaks when it is plugged into a USB 3 port).
 
Bob Bone