xewton uses.xms as their main file type. I have to convert everything I put out from that app.  I couldn't find out what soundcard im using.  but I put my specs in my sig though.

Yeah... if that program has a way to convert to .wav do that. Also if you do not have a dedicated audio interface and want to really take advantage of X2 you sould probably look at investing in one. Onboard soundcards tend to cause a lot of problems once you start trying to do anything intensive.

  Oh and if you go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds your soundcard should be listed there. Click Properties for more details on the card.... but on a laptop it's probably built right into the motherboard.

I have a ? for you guys then.  im incredibly nooby and was trying to record some audio right now and its telling me that my realtek hd audio isn't supported and its not letting me record.  is it something im doing wrong?

everything is running sort of.  I cant seem to be able to record any vocal tracks.  I can hear through my moniter headphones, but as soon as I plug in the mic, no sound and it wont register any input.  what do you guys think im doing wrong?

You are using that USB mic? Make sure the mic's drivers are installed correctly and up to date, go to Edit > Preferences > Audio > Devices and make sure it is selected. You will also want to read the manual for the mic to find out which is the preferred driver mode then select that mode in the Sonar preferences menu. You may also have to install a program called ASIO4All if you intend to use ASIO and things just aren't working.

Sound like a pain in the butt, eh? That's why I mentioned that you should get a dedicated audio interface. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. $150 will get you a two input interface that'll work fine with Sonar and eliminate a huge amount of headaches. 

Also work through the tutorials in the SOnar manual. For now do what I said above to try and get the USB mic working then on the track you want to record into click the Input dopdown menu and select the mic. I have no idea how a USB mic would appear in that menu though but you should be able to recognize the name... it should match what you selected in the Preferences menu I talked about earlier.

It has been long known that USB mics do not work with Sonar. The OP needs a good audio interface. 

Well there ya have it. I did not know that. 

It's fascinating to see Caesar go down the same hole I did and get the same answers I did.
 
Software is getting creakier and creakier.

i plan on getting a pre amp for the mic.  its not a usb mic, I just picked up a usb cord with it.  ill switch it out and grab a 48 volt pre amp in a week or two.