Hello. 
I am having a problem of repeated computer freezes when using Sonar x2 Producer.
I am using a dedicated DAW that I only use for running audio software.  The computer has an Intel i5 3570 processor, an ASUS P8Z77 motherboard with an Intel Northbridge Z77 Express chipset, with 16 gb of RAM (Corsair brand).  The OS is Win 7 64 bit.  I installed Sonar in 64 bit mode.
 
This is the first computer I've used running Win 7, and I only recently upgraded to Sonar X2, so both the OS and this version of Sonar are new to me.
 
Tonight I experienced three computer freezes while using Sonar.  Each time I was working in the Edit > Preferences > Customization > Color window.  Initially I was working in the SONAR_Audio_Demo tutorial project.  Each freeze was significant - the computer no longer responded to mouse moves or keyboard, the Task Manager could not be launched, and the computer had to be shut down to restore functionality.  After experiencing two crashes while editing color preferences in the SONAR_Aduio_Demo project, I closed that project and I opened up a new project.  With the new program opened, I was then able to access and edit the Customization > Colors page for about 30 minutes or so without any freezes.  However, after a period of recording music (without any crashes), I returned to the Edit > Preferences > Customization > Colors page, made a couple of changes, and the computer froze once again.
 
I have experiences freezes in other instances when using Sonar.  In one session a few days ago, I experienced two freezes while editing MIDI data in the Piano Roll View,  At that time, Sonar was having some abarrent screen drawing problems - a widget was appearing in the Control Bar where it shouldn't be.  When I resolved the screen drawing problem - by hiding and showing again some of the modules in the Control Bar - I had no more freezes.  I figured the freezing problems were related to the screen drawing problems.  The freezes I experienced tonight were not accompanied by any screen drawing problems noticible to me.
 
I have had no freezing problems when using other audio software (Sonic Fondry Sound Forge).
 
I appreciate any suggestions you can make for reducing the occurrence of these computer freezes.  Thank you.  jmp

Hi EltonJohn . . . you haven't said what audio device / soundcard you're using.
 . .  and I'm wondering what you are looking for in the color customization area, that keeps you going there and crashing over and over ?

Hello.  Thanks for your reply.
 
My audio interface is a Mackie 1604 Onyx with firewire card.  Running ASIO drivers.
 
Initially, I was simply interested in changing the color scheme of Sonar.  When I had one freeze while editing colors, I decided to see if I could re-produce the freeze.  I was successful in re-producing the freeze.  I then closed the project I was working on, and started a new project to see if I could reproduce the freeze while a different project was open.  With the new project open, I opened the Customization > Colors page, and was able to work for about 30 minutes on the Color page without a freeze.  I then worked for a while recording some music (without any freezes), but when I opened up the Colors page again, I had another freeze.
 
Any thoughts?

FYI . . . color customization was largely left behind with implementation of the Sonar X series.
I wouldn't spend much time there, since there is not much that can actually be changed.
Unfortunately, they've left the color custom pages as part of the software, with no documentation about which color components can actually be changed. Most of the color changes that do work require a restart of Sonar to take effect.
 
Are your video card drivers up to date ?
A while ago, when I experimented with trying to change the Sonar colors, I never had the crashes you describe.
 
Seems like it all works well when you make music, but crashes when you try to change colors, so don't.

Hello.
1) Customization > Color page allows the user extensive control over almost every visual aspect of Sonar.  But even if it was the left-behind, forgotten step-child of the Sonar development team, I wouldn't expect using the Customization > Colors page to repeatedly crash Sonar and the OS.
 
2) I believe I have also had other episodes of freezing -two I think that occurred when I had Sonar up and running and did not interact with the computer for 20 - 30 minutes.  Went I returned to the computer, Sonar and the computer were frozen (I have all Win 7 power-saving features set to "never").
 
I'm still investigating the freezing and will report back when I have other info.      

Hmmm . . . sounds like maybe your audio device is cycling off, mine does as well but usually wakes up in 20 seconds after hitting the spacebar to play, without the crashing. Maybe someone else here is more familiar with your "Mackie 1604 Onyx with firewire card" and will have some nuggets of info.
Hope you can find the source of your crashing.

I'm thinking it may be a video card issue. I agree with noynekker's first assertion: I would make sure you have the latest drivers for your video card. If you do, it wouldn't hurt to try a couple older drivers just to make sure. Newer isn't always better. :)

Hello.  Thanks for your replies, Noynekker and Leadfoot.
 
I built this DAW.  So far, the only problems I've noticed occur when using Sonar, not when using other software.
 
For video, I am using the on-board graphics functions of the Intel i5 3570 processor.  So I have no dedicated graphics card, and no drivers for such a card.  The previous computers I built (back in the old days before CPUs included graphics functions) all had graphics cards installed - and I never had problems with freezing and lock-ups.
 
Can anyone tell me if using the on-board graphcs included with moderm processors is a cause for problems with Sonar?  I am imagining I can install a dedicated graphics accelerator card if needed for better functioning.

I know there are some apps that recommend that you don't use the onboard graphics. I can't remember if Sonar is one of them.