Also if your drive IS the issue (and your problem sounds similar to one I had with a really HUGE project running off a single drive and required an increase in my read/write cache which you should do in the meantime) then the perf module HDD icon will likely reveal it. Yellow is good. Orange is working it. Red is the danger zone.

Here is the model number:  WD5000AZRX
 
I couldn't find it on the website, but looking at the other specs I see what you mean.  I think I bought it because it said that it was 'quiet'.  Black or SSD would have been better.  Wasn't very confident I could even get the computer up and running...  Maybe I'll upgrade.  Thanks!

The performance module is up there, but I don't remember it ever getting anything other than yellow.  But I also wasn't monitoring it.  I'll keep an eye on it.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236155
 
Under the Specs for RPM it says "IntelliPower" instead of an actual speed. lol that's helpful.
 
I'm assuming that means it is always fluctuating speed based on usage. You do not want any of your hardware doing that with audio. That's how dropouts happen. Just like you should go into Windows Power Management and set everything to "Always On" or whatever. Power saving features are just no good for a DAW.
 
For now I'd see if there is a way to make your current drive remain at a constant speed. Someone smarter than I would have to help you with that though.
 
Cheers.

mikebeam
The performance module is up there, but I don't remember it ever getting anything other than yellow.  But I also wasn't monitoring it.  I'll keep an eye on it.

Yeah, the power saving crap on that drive may not even be allowing it to get to the max out point however when I was having issues the HDD icon would be fine until it wasn't and I'd get a crash. If it is being triggered then what likely would happen is it would flash red right before your project ate itself.

 
It should also be noted that this may NOT be the problem or the ONLY problem. Just one thing to look at. If you look in the Computers section of this site you can peruse builds known to be stable with Sonar. I particularly like the ADK site because it has a "Parts Picker" page that let's you build your own system from the tested products they use. That's where I learned about all the stuff I needed for my build and I actually emulated one of their packages as best I could from various parts distributors. I'm in Canada so the shipping and taxes would have been WAY to much to simply buy a system directly from them.
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/default.aspx

There have certainly been multiple reports of wacky issues caused by 'green' drives, where the speed is allowed to fluctuate.
 
IF there is a means of telling the hard drive to stop with all of that nonsense, by all means I recommend doing so.
 
Drive access and transfer speed is hugely important for performance in Sonar, or any other recording software.
 
The above is in addition to curing whatever else may be going on with your system, like bloatware, settings, memory, etc.
 
Bob Bone
 

Beepster
Also if your drive IS the issue (and your problem sounds similar to one I had with a really HUGE project running off a single drive and required an increase in my read/write cache which you should do in the meantime) then the perf module HDD icon will likely reveal it. Yellow is good. Orange is working it. Red is the danger zone.

Could you post directions for this feature of setting cache levels...?
Just to make sure.
 
 
Also what about? :
Cache flushingBy default, Windows employs cache flushing. This means that the system will periodically instruct the storage device to transfer all data waiting in the cache to the principal storage media. When you select Enable write caching on this device, you turn off these periodic commands to transfer the data. Not all devices support all of these features.
 
 
So the check box is empty, "Turn off windows Cache flushing" is written, meaning it is one by default.
So on or off?
 
Could this be causing the hickups?
 

I use WD Black 1tb Drives at the moment, and have been looking in "My computer", right clicking the drives, and looking in properties...But I have not seen a cache/caching setting in those HD preference pages....does this mean indexing?...or    Quota?...should indexing be on or off...if so?.. and, in "HD Qouta" I select "enable Quota management", and then select " NO limit?"...Is that right?
 
Seems my Sonar x3d reporting monitor is orange...I think..,,   did not know it changed collours....and yellow  is Good...I would like to see yellow...if that is possible.
 
Thanks
 
 
 
 
 

Hi Les.
 
Select Edit > Preferences > Audio-Sync and Caching. Under "File System" you will see the Record and Playback buffer controls. 256 is the default and I've seen many here say that for larger audio based projects that 500 or so is what you should set it at if things start going weird. I set mine almost to 1000 on the project I mentioned earlier before things got back under control but that is probably not normal or recommended.
 
Someone smarter than I will have to help you with that other stuff. Cheers.
 
Oh and I THINK it turns from yellow to orange but I may have just been hallucinating that so unless you are experiencing problems I wouldn't worry about it. Red is when you should start fiddling with stuff.

Beepster
Hi Les.
 
Select Edit > Preferences > Audio-Sync and Caching. Under "File System" you will see the Record and Playback buffer controls. 256 is the default and I've seen many here say that for larger audio based projects that 500 or so is what you should set it at if things start going weird. I set mine almost to 1000 on the project I mentioned earlier before things got back under control but that is probably not normal or recommended.
 
Someone smarter than I will have to help you with that other stuff. Cheers.
 
Oh and I THINK it turns from yellow to orange but I may have just been hallucinating that so unless you are experiencing problems I wouldn't worry about it. Red is when you should start fiddling with stuff.

 
Hay Beepster Happy new year!

Oh... That is in sonar right.?..Just to make sure...so no one gets lost....Thanks.
 
Oh No...So what have I done?...I went to my computer, Right clicked on My Drives/Preferences/..and then went into "Qouta tab" page, selected the limit option, which ungrays the other options: set the limit to= no limit....is that ok????, or should I put it back to default?
 
And
 
I also want to know about indexing...on or off.?...cause one DAW camp Says off...and I need to know what Sonar needs...Cause PT is not going to be on this NEW system anymore!...so that tweak need not be necessary?
 
I think in this I will find resolve, and hope others do to.
 
Thanks for the read, and More mead is in need!.
 
Sir Les