OK MSVCR90.dll. So we have something specific.
Bingo (maybe)
So this is C++ 2008
This:
http://www.microsoft.com/...d/details.aspx?id=2092

Or this (x86):
http://www.microsoft.com/...d/details.aspx?id=5582
 
Anyway Sonar 8.5 is not seeing the right version of this file is your issue (or this file may even be missing as far as it is concerned), please remember this is a shared library so not a Sonar specific issue, unless your old version of Sonar has decided to point to the wrong file path for this library (i.e. hard coded against MS recommendations), looks likely as you say other versions of Sonar work (so if anything blame 8.5).
 
There's another thing to try after this...

Which is
 
1) Backup
2) Go to administrative command prompt
3) Run: sfc /scannow

http://forum.cakewalk.com/Answered-Will-the-X3-trial-coexist-happily-with-85-What-about-shared-components-m2978804.aspx
 
 
Interesting to me is this thread.. 

I'm really sorry to hear of all the problems you're having. Things are not working as they should.
 
By any chance, was an anti-virus or anti-spyware program running in the background during installation? That is often the cause of mysterious "Windows is doing weird things when I did my installation" problems.
 
I think at this point you need to contact Cakewalk support. Something has happened deep within the system and if it's unique to your system then it's likely they can fix it; if it's something that could happen to others, Cakewalk needs to know about it.

Yup that was the final thing to try.... The issue is definitely that the C++ libraries are screwed, or Sonar 8.5 is pointing to the wrong C++ 2008 libraries (or Sonar 8.5 is pointing to a missing or wrong C++ DLL) looking at what the OP has in the event viewer (see thread #13).
 
If reinstalling the 2008 libraries does not work (Microsoft install may be stubborn saying it is already updated as has been the case so far), SFC /scannow may repair any inconsistencies in windows that could also be the root cause of this issue.
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833
 
 
Cheers..

"Cactus," Alex, and Craig - You need to know how much I appreciate your assistance.  I'll file an update report in case there's anything telling in it - but, jumping to the bottom line - there's still no change.  8.5 won't run.

Cactus - This computer isn't really a DAW station.  It's my Everything computer.  I have hundreds of programs.  I have a document reminding me of all their locations and routines, but when I first set this machine up about 3 years ago now, it was a gigantic project.  Unfortunately, the last system image I did is far too out of date for me to rely on.  So - just don't want to face an entire re-do.

Alex - I downloaded and reinstalled C++ 2008, using your links.  Yesterday I thought I'd updated all of them, but to be sure, ran these again.  They don't really completely reinstall, they repair.  So I can see when looking at the list, that the install dates are still from 2011 and 2012.

I Did discover that I didn't have C++ 2012 on the machine at all - Installed those today.  No change - 8.5 still not working.

After doing more of these updates and installs of C++, I uninstalled 8.5 yet again to do a fresh install - No change.  AND - something odd, the 64 bit version CAN'T BE UNINSTALLED now - it's missing the uninstall file "unins000.dat."

Maybe I should uninstall and reinstall each CC++?  Scared I could screw things up more.

I ran sfc /scannow and it completed successfully with the message  "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."  So, that confirms that the system files being used are OK.

NOTE:  The MIDI activity icon, as I reported yesterday, stays on after attempting to run Sonar - That's new behavior.  I can't see anything in Task Manager with anything that's using MIDI.

When I try running Sonar again after these various fix attempts, I usually need to use the Task Manager to close the Process.

Cactus, I saw that thread yeseterday about the X3 Demo installation updating various Cakewalk plugins.  Scared me - but - there ya go.

Craig - When I've done anything, uninstalling, reinstalling etc - I've always turned Avast off, and run things as Admin.  I guess I do need to get on the phone and see if a Support person can talk me through a fix.  I don't have much faith now of anything helping, but - guess I should give that a try.

Meanwhile, looks like I'll be working in X1.  Oh joy.  If I can't stand it, then I'll try Sonar 8.  There's no change with any of the old versions, they're all still working fine.

Enough of trying to fix this for now - Have projects to finish!

THANK YOU ALL - If there's anything in this update post that gives any of you an idea, natch I'd like to hear it.

Randy

rbowser
.....  Would love to just use the restore point from before the demo install.  Ran that - Restore point failed.
 

Hello Randy my friend,
 
I'm sorry to read of the problems there.
 
For my computer and many other people I know, 'System Restore' often needs to be run in SAFE MODE. Have you tried this.? I think you will find this will work.
 
Like you, unless I run it in 'Safe Mode', my 'System Restore' nearly always reports a fail but it never fails in 'Safe Mode'.
 
If you do have a good system restore point for before the demo install then this might do the job. I'm a bit cautious on this though because you have tried a few things that might possibly have put a spanner in the works for your restore point .. I don't know .. it's just a cautionary.
 
I have also sent you a PM in our other forums.
 
I really do hope this helps Randy. Good luck my friend.
 
Michael
 
 

The C++ libraries should be backwards compatible, this in fact is the latest:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=40784
 
Speculation but I suspect it's looking for a the 2008 version of MSVCR90.dll in some other folder, maybe in Cakewalks application folder.
 
Anyways - yes support.

THANK YOU everyone for your concern, advice, and links - ALL IS WELL! - Michael_uk's advice did the trick - I did System Restore in Safe Mode, and when the smoke cleared, my computer was back to before the Sonar X3 demo was installed.  Sonar 8.5 opens and works perfectly, I'm working away on my current project - and I am SOOoooOOOoooo relieved.
 
The only odd thing - After doing the restore in Safe Mode, I still had the same message that system recovery wasn't successful and no files had been changed.  But that's totally wrong - the error message is in error!  Not only does 8.5 work, but the 64 bit installation is complete again - and the C++ 2012 files I installed this morning are gone - as are the updates I did to the others yesterday.  That all proves the restore was successful.  AND, the huge list of 70+ Windows update files which I installed yesterday are no longer installed - I had let them pile up, being advised by a techie type to not trust all those automatic updates.  I wonder what the advice of you computer savvy people is--should I go ahead and install all those again?
 
All's well that ends well -I haven't been through trauma like that in a long time! - So, I did miss out on the good X3 sale - but at this point, I don't care in the least.  I got back me Sonar and I'm happy.

Randy

Amen!!! I have been watching this unfold and now I am so happy for you! Thanks to Michael_uk :)