JonD

Beepster
If you create a restore point before doing registry edits can't you just revert back if something goes wrong? I've recently started experimenting with restore points on my laptop but I notice some things don't seem to want to revert back. I'm trying this type of thing out on my not so critical systems before I started fiddling around with the big rig(s).

I would never rely on Restore points... As you've indicated, they are just not reliable.
 
Better and easier to simply make a backup of the registry (The option is there in the registry editor) - you can backup just the tree you are editing, or the whole registry - then if something goes wrong later, you can restore just as easily.

I agree with JonD - Restore points are notoriously unreliable, especially with the Registry.
 
But like he said, it's so simple to back up your registry - to a thumb drive preferably, so you can always reload it from there, even if you're forced (due to something blowing up in the registry) to load Windows in Safe Mode

Thanks, guys. Ah, Windows. Always an adventure.

Beepster
Thanks, guys. Ah, Windows. Always an adventure.

Would you rather the alternative? 

Bristol_Jonesey

Beepster
Thanks, guys. Ah, Windows. Always an adventure.

Would you rather the alternative? 

A Speak and Spell? Sometimes but I don't think there are drivers for my interface.

Time to clean house… Well Sidroe! You’re welcome at my place any time day or night.
I’ll leave the bucket-mop, vacuum cleaner etc, out for you. lol 
 
But seriously, tell me you wouldn't dream of removing (a relatively stable) X2 and earlier, until you have bench-tested X3. That’s far far too risky.

I have every version since version 8 of Sonar. Using X2, I just create custom layouts for my plug in menus. I could un-install all the previous versions but it's not affecting my machine however, I would not un-install version 8. Sonar 8 was the first install on this install of Windows 7 and there is a problem that crops up if I were to un-install Sonar 8.
 
When I import midi files into Sonar, I prefer to start a project with the midi file. I right click on the midi file and select, "Open With" and then select Sonar. I don't know why but if the first Sonar program is no longer on my current windows install, this command does not work as it is looking for Sonar 8 and not the most recent Sonar X2. I never figured out a fix for this so I just leave all the versions of Sonar installed. I prefer to use import midi files  using the open with command better than importing into Sonar while Sonar is open as using the open with command brings all the midi files settings with it. Importing a midi file into Sonar, while it's open, does not import key, key changes, tempo, tempo changes and whatever else is in the midi file.
 
So I just leave them installed and use custom layouts. Actually, this says a lot for Windows 7 as I haven't had to do a full OS re-install since installing Windows 7. Even with XP, and it was a good OS as well, I still had to do a re-install occasionally.
 

Hey, Bent! I would never take anything off without testing X3 first. It just seems like my Cakewalk folder is getting full of stuff I don't use much anymore if at all. That folder just looks full of clutter but I will not change anything until I am completely happy with the way X3 turns out. I am glad this thread has had a great amount of discussion and picked up a few tips as well.

I wouldnt install an older version after a new version. I think youll get some conflicts in shared folders and preferences.

Also there are octen minor tweaks in plugins and with each new version they are recompiled.

All great comments.  I recently upgraded from Sonar X1c running on XP SP3 at 32 bits  to X2 on W7 Pro 64 bits, so that necessitated a disk wipe, although I backed up all data on a separate disk.  I think for the small amount of plugins that didn't make the migration fully it'll be easier for me to just redo the tracks than go through what may be a risky reinstall of X1 over X2. 
 
It would be nice if one of the Bakers could comment on this.

I had one side of my SATA Raid drive go out in my old computer, so I had to get a new one.  It's a blessing in disguise, in a way.  My old Edirol interface didn't get support after Windows XP and for several other reasons, I just stayed with Sonar 7 on the old system.  It was kind of nice for me, because I honestly don't enjoy all the messing with settings, installing software and tinkering under the hood of the computer, I would rather make music.  I wish I could afford to hire someone to do all that for me.  oh well,,, I'm just smart enough with computers to know where to get help if I need advice, so I trudge along.  lol
 
One of the worst purchases I ever made, for me, was a UAD-1.  I had problems with the IRQ's and it never ran right.  I also found other plugs that to my ears were just as good, so I didn't really use them that much.   
 
It might be OT here, but do you guys think there is any resale value to it?  I am planning on pulling the card out of the old system, but my new computer only takes low profile pci cards.  I also know they have moved on to UAD-2 and other things.  I have the original box and everything that was with it.  What  do you guys think I should do??