why anyone lets microsoft make changes to a stable DAW system is beyond me. The more important stability is, the more important disabling updates is. Same for connecting to the interweb.

I loaded up Sonar after I booted up with the new updates. My computer actually got up of it's little pedestal and attacked me! I guess that's what I get for updating. ;-p

My recording DAW downstairs gets NO updates. Stripped down, all that's on it is Sonar and the Line6 support programs. Means I gotta transfer projects upstairs for mixing and getting them on the web, but nothing slows down my recording computer.

Michael Five


why anyone lets microsoft make changes to a stable DAW system is beyond me. The more important stability is, the more important disabling updates is. Same for connecting to the interweb.

Because I have precisely 2 PhDs. One in maths, one in music and one in computer engineering :)


Jokes aside... I did study music but as far as computers are concerned, I know how to switch it on, click on the taskbar to fire up my X1 and hopefully make some decent sounds come out.


I thought that keeping a computer system up-to-date was a good thing. But now that you guys are saying your DAWs are off the web, I'm gonna do the same.


So I guess you update your software / plugins by downloading them from another computer and then transfer them on a USB stick to your DAW and you're good to go, right?

Samhayman you can do it that way most the time. There are some plugins that need to be on line for an authorization although it can usually be done using another computer. It is much faster to put the daw online long enough to authorize and then disconnect. YMMV

Tkrain


My recording DAW downstairs gets NO updates. Stripped down, all that's on it is Sonar and the Line6 support programs. Means I gotta transfer projects upstairs for mixing and getting them on the web, but nothing slows down my recording computer.

Ditto.


I wouldn't let Microsoft disturb a working, stable DAW environment.

Tom Riggs


Samhayman you can do it that way most the time. There are some plugins that need to be on line for an authorization although it can usually be done using another computer. It is much faster to put the daw online long enough to authorize and then disconnect. YMMV

It is much faster and what can be an extremely painful authorization process is quick & easy.


Just make sure you've disabled MS Automatic Updates, for obvious reasons.

Sam, sorry to come off like a jerk about it. Appreciate your sense of humor. Myself, I do mostly shuttle things on a usb drive to the daw, but I think what Tom Riggs suggests makes at least as much sense. I just hate dealing with technical problems, so I try to only make changes when I really need something to change. It's a wonder I'm not still on version 3 or so. Though I am on 7 still (with x1 loaded and liking it). I don't have too many problems, though. With the computer that is. I struggle perpetually to produce any good music.... :)

Hey Mike, no worries at all mate :) No offence given nor taken. I do understand where you were coming from. In fact, every time I see the updates bubble pop up, I think to myself that a DAW shouldn't be connected to the internet. Read it before in quite a few places to be honest. But it's beyond me how my own twisted brain sometimes works so I left it plugged in.

But as of this morning, I am officially disconnected from the web - what I'm using right now is my laptop :)

rjt


I didn't try opening Sonar yesterday after the updates, but the updates did not take on my computer. Virtually every one "failed" even after I tried installing several times. It certainly could be an update thing.

Yes, I had this happen to me as well.  After tracking down the failure codes, it appears to have failed because some files were in use and could not be updated.  After I did a "clean restart" and rebooted a second time they all installed correctly.  Here's what "Help" says about updating after a clean restart.
 
Click the Start button, type msconfig in the search box, and then click msconfig.exe. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
On the General tab, click Selective startup, and then clear the Load startup items check box.
Click Services, click Hide all Microsoft services, and then click Disable all.
Click OK, and then click Restart.
Open Windows Update
In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
If any updates are found, click Install updates. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Once updates are installed, restart your computer. Click the Start button, type msconfig in the search box, and then click msconfig.exe. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
On the General tab, click Normal startup, click OK, and then click Restart.