Just for the record, I'm getting the same problem ("Audiowerk8 not initialized"). Most disconcerting is the fact that the machine "hands" if you try to push the error window's "OK" button with the mouse---it does not work. I rebooted a bzillion times because of this, realizing later that one can get things back to normal by hitting the Enter key instead of using the mouse. Definite bug. I also have two sound cards (the other one is a DSP Factory) and am using MME mode for the AW8. Enjoy, Tim tim@...