Yes, the 8.5 box was a full version like all boxed versions of SONAR through the X-Series. The 8.5 update download was not a full version. It was the first update available as a download and to save bandwidth Cakewalk did not create a full download version. Instead it relied on an existing SONAR 8 installation. Full downloads started with X1.

JonD

michael diemer
The 1.7 GB is another story. It's a "setup file." Is this what you mean Jon D by it being an installer? ...
 
There is no 8.5.3 update for Studio as far as I can see.

Yes, the setup file is the installer.  No way to know if it includes the latest update though.  Best to do what scook suggests and download it anyway.
 
Here is the Sonar Studio 8.5.3 update (Download link at the bottom of the page):
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007012920/SONAR-8-5-3-AudioSnap-Update

Thanks JD. So there is aan 8.5.3 update. I plan to install all updates at this point. If they break things I can always go back to the pure DVD version.

Things are becoming a little clearer. It is confusing going back in time to figure this stuff out, considering that changes were constantly being made in the process!
 
To summarize again my situation: I had bought Studio 8.5, but barely used it, upgrading to Producer 8.5 within a few months. I intsalled both Producer patches. But I have had problems with Producer almost from the get go. Deleting a synth would crash it, for example. EWSO basses would crash it. And lately the plugin tool stopped working right. Presciently, a couple years ago I made copies of my install DVD's for 8.5 Producer. There are four of them (Studio 8.5 was a single DVD). Turns out that was a good idea, as when I recently reinstalled Producer (following a total Windows 7 crash), I found that disc one, the main one, wouldn't install. My copy worked fine, however. I also installed Dim Pro and Additional Content from the original discs. I passed on Rapture. I installed both Pro patches.
 
Producer was working about the same as it had worked originally. I decided to install Studio, hoping it would work right, and give me all the features I need. It does work well, but I'm having trouble with Kontakt. I will install both .2 and .3 updates, hopefully that will solve that problem. If everything works well, it will have been a success. Studio 8.5.3 will then be my latest working version of Sonar, unless other options somehow become available.

scook
Cakewalk does not issue patches. Instead updates are delivered as complete files. Given the size of the update, it would appear there are changes to most of the the application. Whether you want to run the last version of the 8.5 is your decision but failing to download it while it is still available may not be very wise.

Yes CW has published patches. I have files called Producer852Patch (380 Mb) and Producer853Patch (230 Mb) downloaded from CW.
Thinking about future use, I'm worried whether there are (were) separate patches for 32 bit and 64 bit OS or are they perhaps both selectable in these.

I think as is the case today, that the installer has both 32 and 64 versions and you make your choice during installation.

check the knowledge base, last time I looked the updates are still listed

scook
check the knowledge base, last time I looked the updates are still listed

So now I am a little confused. I have boxed studio 8 (1 DVD) and producer 8.5 (4 DVDs). I have checked my downloads backups and I have Studio 8.5 and 8.52 as patches. For Producer 8.5, I have 8.5.2 and 8.5.3 patches.
 
Then I saw I also have a Studio 831 patch.
 
Then I began searching the Knowledge base and I see 8.0.1 and 8.02 patches as well as 8.3 patches in addition to all the dimension pro, rapture, beatscape...So there is a lot involved.
 
Is there a central listing somewhere that puts it all together? It's hard to reconstruct.
 
I find if I search patches or updates as terms, I get the better results than say Sonar 8.5 as a  tag...

Well, I can't get Sonar 8.5 Studio to update, but it's working perfectly, so what the heck. I'm calling it good.

michael diemer
Well, I can't get Sonar 8.5 Studio to update, but it's working perfectly, so what the heck. I'm calling it good.

That sounds like a good plan!