I am using an external USB drive for project files etc.  Pretty much followed S. Garrigus' recommendations on that.  But, every now and then my laptop will fail to see the external drive when it boots.  I missed that a couple of times in the past and then launched Sonar, at which point a popup appears saying Sonar will reset Preferences.  I think the available buttons are Cancel and Okay. 
 
But, selecting Cancel doesn't seem to matter and Sonar resets all those folder locations to the C:\ drive.
 
(I'm going from memory here and can't provide a screen capture, but it almost happened to me again yesterday.)
 
Anybody else experience this?

The issue is your USB drive and Windows not Sonar. If Sonar can't see the folder locations it's been pointed to it's going to wonder if it's settings are correct (for good reason).
 
After you start Windows you may need to wait for a little while before you start Sonar.
 
There could be several USB and driver fixes for this.
Please run Windows update several times and this.
It may also be a dodgy USB cable (unlikely but possible).
 
Hope this helps...
 
Alex
 

Yes.  I understand.  I just use a shortcut to the USB drive to be sure Windows is reading it.
 
But, I'm wondering if Sonar Xi shouldn't say 'Stop!  All Drives Not Detected.  If you continue....'
And 'Cancel' would prevent automatic changes to Preferences.
 
Again, I'm going from memory here so I could be mistaken about what exactly the popup says/does.

Its DEFFO not a sonar issue.

If Windows is losing the mapping to the USB drive then Sonar loses it and will get into a flap, you'll need to trouble shoot the USB drive connectivity from Windows and take it from there.

But, I'm wondering if Sonar Xi shouldn't say 'Stop!  All Drives Not Detected.  If you continue....'
And 'Cancel' would prevent automatic changes to Preferences.
 
Nope, that's the operating systems task not Sonars...
And yes even the mighty Windows has it's limitations :)
#2 anyway may help you overcome this.
 
Cheers...

Having said that I just reread it...
 
But, selecting Cancel doesn't seem to matter and Sonar resets all those folder locations to the C:\ drive.
 
Hmmm. I would have thought that CANCEL would just quit Sonar, giving you the option to save any projects if necessary (an unlikely scenario), and keep your settings intact...
 
Need to get this reproduced in X3D...

Xi? Do you mean X1?

Steps be tested in X3D (I haven't tested this so please correct my steps if necessary):
 
1) Start Sonar
2) In preferences change file locations to a removable USB drive (or other external hard drive, although this scenario hasn't been tested).
3) Quit Sonar
4) Disconnect USB drive
5) Start Sonar
6) As expected a dialogue appears about Sonar resetting Preferences. Two buttons are displayed, Cancel/OK.
7) Click Cancel


EXPECTED

If a project is open and unsaved for some reason user is prompted to save or discard.
Otherwise no settings are changed. Sonar quits.

ACTUAL
Sonar discards settings such as folder locations (behaviour is destructive).

NOTE
Rather than have a "CANCEL" button I think the button should say "QUIT".

John: Think it happened in both X2 and X3.

Alex: Yes. I can make it happen again I guess and confirm? Or are you saying you tested and got the same result?

Nope not tested, can you test it specifically under X3D please? (Download the X3D patch from Sonar, I notice your footer says X3B).

Cheers....