Konrad,
 
These people built my computer, they really know what they're doing, and have great support, you may want to check them out here:  http://www.adkproaudio.com/
good luck with your new build wherever you decide to buy it!

Thanks for the link, Buz, and thanks everyone else for the support.
 
Just one other thing to note in case someone has a brainstorm about what's going on: I have continual trouble with USB keyboards.  I keep a KeyRig 49 plugged into the front USB port, but it only works about half the time with Sonar.  I often have to reboot the PC to get it to work.  The reasons I think the problem is Sonar and not the keyboard: 1-the keyboard works fine every time if I close Sonar and open a Virtual Instrument in standalone mode and 2-I have other USB keyboards and they all are the same—sometimes Sonar recognizes them and sometimes it doesn't.  Before you ask, I always go into Preferences to make sure the keyboard is enabled.
 
Whether or not this is related to the other issues is unknown.
 
Take care, everyone.  I just finished downloading Vienna Dimension Cellos and will be messing around with that.

konradh
thanks everybody!
 
dxp, I have spoken to Chuck and the Customer Service Exec, although that was last year.  Sweetwater gave me a very cheap deal on the MOTU interface because one of their theories was that the V-Studio IO was buggy.  (I don't buy that theory, by the way.)
 
They tried very hard but I think the only answer is going to be a new PC with a fresh install.
 
I think Sweetwater messed up originally but I don't know that for sure and they have certainly hung in there with me, so no bad feelings.  I still buy a lot of stuff from them.

Konradh, well I guess you can't go any higher than Chuck...
I did just tell your story to my friend whos wife is the sales lady.
He was going to have her flag this and talk to their customer service exec...
guess you are already past that.
Sorry to hear about this. That has to be incredibly frustrating.
If you think there is anything else I can try to do thru my contact please feel free to PM me.
Dave
 
 

Actually, I have been in contact with Sweetwater today.  I really do think very highly of them and this is no doubt frustrating for them.  They have logged a huge number of hours on this.
 
My opinion is that we have made it too hard:  we should have just rebuilt the system on a new PC.  And if Sweetwater can't come here, I will take a week off, drive up with the interface, all the disks and passwords, etc.  (They are in Indiana which is great.  Anything you could ever want to do is within a 1,200 mile radius. )
 
Current status: Sweetwater is trying to take a step back and consider where we can go from here.  I am willing to pay for a new PC.  Only issue is that I have a horribly delayed album I want to finish before I tear the studio apart.
 
Thanks for all the good vibes.

If you are willing to pay for a new PC, seriously consider http://www.studiocat.com.  Jim's build was impeccable and his service top notch! 
 
Disclaimer:  I am in no way affiliated with studiocat.com, other than the fact that I bought a fantastic PC from him a few years back, and will again in the future.

Studious
If you are willing to pay for a new PC, seriously consider http://www.studiocat.com.  Jim's build was impeccable and his service top notch! 
 

Yep! I didn't go that route, but was considering it and others, [ie: ADK, Rain Computers].
 
I decided to build my own, mainly for the experience of doing it for future builds, to save all labor costs, and because the shipping costs would have been too high.
 
But, I believe that Jim R. [Studiocat] will also install your software & programs, set it up and run it until it's all groovy!