I'm sure if you are having that much trouble there must be something going on with your system. Have you tried a complete uninstall and reinstall? By complete uninstall I mean deleting the necessary keys in the registry?
 
Some system specs will help as well although given the sound of your problems that isn't going to make much difference, unless you are running XP as an OS of course. X3 won't run on that as pointed out already.

Mattie.B
Instead of going down the list of things that need to be fixed I'd much rather save just save your money. If you have to trouble shoot every little thing. It's DEFENATLY not worth the investment. 

I see you live in the US. Can you contact support to see if we can iron this out. You aren't even giving us a chance. There could be many issues unrelated to SONAR that are causing you to be frustrated.

Toshiba Satellite P745 Windows 7 (64 bit) M-audio fast track pro interface. 6 Gigs of Ram.

Posted too soon. You have Andrew on the case. He'll hook you up.

Mattie.B
I'm TIRED!!!! of asking for help from Cakewalk community. In the old days, you bought the software, you installed it, you got to work. I haven't been able to do that since Sonar 7. First off. ALL of my instruments are GONE!!! Everything!!! (Solution go into the plug in manager?) NO!! Not at all. It freeze when I do that. Stops responding. Also, Sonar continuously searches for new plug in's. After it's finished. It starts up again. So, I decided to delete it and keep using Sonar X2...NOPE!!! For some reason I can't use many of my instruments on X2 now. This list keep's going on and on. Like I said, if I have to trouble shoot every little thing it SURLLY wasn't worth the investment. $150 down the drain. I'm SO GLAD I wasn't a first time buyer. I probably will be a last time buyer.

did you pour petrol just on your guitar or also on Sonar? might be the reason it's not working at all
 
<<X3c is still not 100% on my 100% X2a machine, yet i'm not spitting flames>>

Mattie.B
Toshiba Satellite P745 Windows 7 (64 bit) M-audio fast track pro interface. 6 Gigs of Ram.

Hi Mattie-
 
Again sorry you are having issues. Can we have you contact our phone support. Want to make this right for you. Over the forum might make it difficult to trouble shoot efficiently.

Mattie.B
Toshiba Satellite P745 Windows 7 (64 bit) M-audio fast track pro interface. 6 Gigs of Ram.

Hi Mattie-
 
We are looking into your case history and can't find your records. Can you PM me your email so we can check it out? Or email me at arossa AT Cakewalk dot com.

Titles like this should be saved for cases in which you've genuinely been conned, lied to, or otherwise ripped off. Quite clearly you're having teething problems which can easily be resolved with a little effort. And when it's all fixed, you're going to look back at that title and feel embarrassed.

sounds like a hardware/config error. I have issues with X3, but it is certainly not the worst DAW purchase I made. X2 is alone reserved for that honor.

Mattie.B
Instead of going down the list of things that need to be fixed I'd much rather save just save your money. If you have to trouble shoot every little thing. It's DEFENATLY not worth the investment. 

Sonar X 3 is awesome.The baker´s fixed many  things that were insulted by  user´s.
Just read some threads here in the forum.
The workflow is for me the best of all daw´s. 
If this enhancements are nothing for you at least count the bucks you spend for 
1.additive drums ( full version)!
2.melodyne editor
3.bifilter 2 
4. comping is invaluable
5. aso.
And then compare with the upgrade price..............
 
I guess, sorry man, nobody can help you .