Maybe some Studiocat support is in order. I am pretty sure that Jim will help you even if you don't use a Studiocat computer and his rates are reasonable.
 
Julien

Yup this is the sort of error I would expect
a) With 64 bit app running in 32 bit environment... or built for the wrong chipset.
b) With a corrupted package. however if the installation completes then the package isn't corrupted.
 
For fun I suggest running scandisk (check your drive for errors) and sfc /scannow from the administrative command prompt.
Please also run windows update afterwards.
 
Thanks

Alex

Well, I ran chkdsk and the sfc /scannow, which stopped after 30% and told me to reboot and run again. When I rebooted, my system found no bootable drives. I booted from my Win 8 disc and tried sfc again, no drive to run it on, tried to repair, restore all reporting nothing to work on. Now, my system has 4 HDD, I had Win 7 on one drive and just installed 8 on another. The other 2 are one for data files and one for sample libraries. I believe that when I install Win 8 it took over as Boot Manager and that is why I could not get 7 back. I can only suppose that my boot sector was mangled during this process but it is just so peculiar since Win 8 was operating beautifully with all of my plugs for weeks until I remembered I had these PC add-ons. I just got 7 back in and will install 8 again after I have 7 where it was. 8 must install last in order for the two to coexist on one PC. I will have to verify the correct PC add-on versions and/or install order form Cakewalk on Monday. I think there is something in the way I went about this that caused the problem because I have just not seen any other complaints of this issue except for cowboydan's post earlier in this thread. I am anxcious to hear what CW has to say, especially because of the state of the PC add-ons' download availability as I mentioned earlier. Not enjoying reinstalling Win 7 after having the pleasure of installing Win 8 last month. I didn't actually time it but I swear 8 installed, picked up it's own drivers and updated in no more than a half hour. Thank God I keep my files on a sepoerate drive, not looking forward to setting up Sonar agin either though, takes longer than Windows now.
 
I appreciate everyone's comments here and will post further progress. If anyone has further thoughts on this feel free.

I'll have a think but SFC should not have gone anywhere near your boot sector/BCD config. This is really really odd. What boot manager were you using? Third party or Microsoft? Also when you booted windows 8 did you see the windows 7 logo briefly at the beginning?

Multiboot isn't fun when upgrading, I'm running 4os's myself with a third party boot manager.

Oh did SFC state there was a system repair pending when asking for the reboot? If so that would make some sort of sense.

Ok before you reinstall windows 8 you should do SFC /scannow on windows 7.

There has to be a faster way to install the updates to Win 7, I should have checked that, this is brutal.
 
SFC only said it didn't have needed resources. Yeh, I was pretty shocked and really thought this indicated I had an HDD dying, but I have had no problems doing the 7 install and it's going on the drive 8 was on. Still could be, but in my experience once a drive goes it keeps going, never seen one have a one-time problem that couldn't be repaired short of a virus, and I saw no evidence of that.

Windows 8 acts as boot manager, automatically and very well done, when I booted I had the choice of 7 or 8.

Hey
 
I also got a lot of problem after updating to Windows 8.1 64-bit. It seem that there is some issues with third party activation.
 
I have discovered some annoying things regarding 3rd part developers that use "online" installation och automatic update services of their software. I really hope that Microsoft can get a Qickfix for this.. Some issues that occur after updating to Windows 8.1 64 bit.

1. Melodynes "Check update" don't work. I got en Error message saying something like "No connection to server". However I could logon to my account and download the update that way. 
2. I downloaded a plugin for Sonar X3 Pro Channel; the VKFX from Overloud. It is supposed to activate through online activation, however it don't work and telling me "No connection to server" in the installation process.
3. XLN Audio (Addicitve DRums). XLN Audio uses an "Online installer". Same again, "no connection to server". However I am online, could login to my account and do see my previous activated products on their site. 
 
I have off course Internetaccess and disabled any Antivirus/Firewall
 
It seem to be some kind of problems with third party activation services. Some guy had a solution for another product, but I am not sure whether it apply here: http://forums.pjtec.com/post/upgrading-to-windows-8-1-causing-third-party-activation-server-to-stop-working-6582631?trail=15


A solution must come. I can't having Melodyne, Addictive drums and purchased Pro Channel products not working for me....
 
I send this to support as well...

Eric could you please start your own thread about activation so we don't get confused? You are talking about something completely different.
Thankyou.