Really? Nowadays firmware updates are quite safe if you don't power off and read the instructions. The last issue I resolved via these very forums was done via firmware update (thank god it was done quickly otherwise the poor bloke would have been inundated with people telling him not to do it and his issue would never have been resolved). Again I would say drivers, windows update etc is the first thing to do of course. Firmware last. BTW please name an update that isn't done blindly.

Please can we have some constructive ways to resolve this issue from people who have sorted out these sort of issues before, rather than 'don't do it Pike'. I feel people just trying to help here are swimming against the tide and drowned in old school opinion after opinion and opinion rather than actually try to help resolve an actual issue.

If people have better ideas bring em on.

  Well since, I am unable to reproduce the crash, X2 simply doesn't crash here since the patch, UAD fixed their driver, and I discovered Saston buss and channel vst's don't play nice with X2. No crashes here in months except a windows update problem.
 I suspect a windows update problem. There was a .net update that caused all kind of multimedia havoc on my PC about a month ago. I don't auto update so it was easy to narrow down. I've talked with others that also had the problem.
  

If you actually read his posts you will notice he doesn't use windows update.
Your .net issue would have effected some other software in your system as Sonar is not developed in .net. Microsoft release .net updates all the time so I suspect this would have been resolved by a further update. Either way a .net issue would have been reported in the windows event viewer. Moving on...


I'm gonna wait for actual feedback.

Well suggesting a flash for a system that was working fine is about the silliest thing I've ever heard anyone parrot. I'm am no expert but know enough to know you have no clue :)

System working fine? Did you actually read the posts? Yup I must be so stupid to suggest firmware updates... They are only created for fun after all and never should be installed  

And I've now written three times firmware updates should be done last... Jeeze. 

Read this well (if you are able to):

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2767926

  Certainly not intended as a first resort, if it’s something else and there are data errors the chance of a successful flash diminishes. The OP has told you what he thought of that idea yet you are the one still harping on it.
 
You're link, I see no connection even parrots get lucky

Again read the thread. The OP was asking about how to update BIOS and firmware and then I have suggested doing this last four times now. Nowhere did I say do this first. You are the one harping on about it. But I see what you are trying to do now, if you read the other thread properly you would have seen luck was nothing to do with it. I've been in the IT industry of and on since 93. I know what I'm talking about. I ask you politely please stop trolling me. Totally unfounded. We are here to resolve the OPs issue not to have yet another flame war.

 In my perspective you are the troll here and I'm pretty sure some others agree. You're here 24/7 playing alpha male, do you even know where the record button is?

Why are you two getting into an augment about really nothing. Just give your best advice and be done with it. No need to question the advice of another unless you know for a fact it will harm the OP. In this thread there is nothing to get upset about. 

Let it go. 

Agreed. End of.