Another novice with novice questions.

Hello, new to the forum. New to Cakewalk, but excited over my recent purchase of a VS 100.

I'm a long time musician who is new to the home studio thing, so I'm learning as I go.

So, any help would be appreciated..

I'm running Windows Vista (64 bit), and am in essence, having trouble with the interface between the vs 100 and my laptop. I have downloaded and updated the drivers, but have been un-able to get the version of cakewalk included in the software for the vs 100 to "show up" on my laptop. The files from the software dvd are there, but I'm confused as to how I actually begin running the software, to the point where I can start mic'ing things and recording some tracks. Ignorantly, I assumed a desktop icon would be automatically created after I installed and updated the drivers as well as the production pack, etc, that would allow me to begin using the software on my laptop via the vs 100 hardware. Thus far I've gone as far as installing everything up to page 20 of the manual, where it says:

"1. Power up the SONAR V-STUDIO 100 hardware.

2. The first time you run SONAR, the following message appears: "SONAR VS will now personalize your setting by copying..." Click [OK]"

I power up the hardware (the usb is connected) and nothing happens, I hear the tone that indicates plug and play hardware has been detected, but no program pops up and I am not able run SONAR, so the message that is supposed to appear after I turn on the the vs100 (indicated with nuber "2" above) does not appear. I get nothing beyond the "duh-dun" noise that my laptop recognizes that I've plugged something in to it. 

Does anyone know what I need to do? I am drawing a blank on where to go next as the instructions are pretty vague. As you can probably tell, I'm semi clueless and could use a little guidance on this. Any and all help would be very, very much appreciated! 

thanks folks! I got it working. It seems that I was canceling the install of the production pack (don't ask me how) I now am fully functional.

Another question... what would be an appropriate laptop/desktop to run the vs100 and software?

I am currently on an AMD (core duo equivalent) at, I believe 2.1 ghz, w/3 gb ram.

Is this powerful enough? I plan on doing most of my recording at home, would I be better off with a desktop in regards to saving money and getting a little more power for my dollar? What systems do you all run on? 


Also, recommendations for midi controllers, etc?

M@ B
...intel processors are favorable for audio applications (why? i don't know)
 
 
It's a vicious circle, really.
Intel processors are favoured because they are more popular, hence more testing gets done on them. There's nothing inherently wrong with any other brand of processors. 
 
Audio software, by it's nature, pushes the hardware to its limits, so minor quirks and differences between processors and motherboards that wouldn't affect business software can be fatal to a DAW or soft synth.  Games developers have similar problems, but generally they have a bigger market and can afford more testing on different hardware.   Music software developers tend to use Intel processors when developing, so their software is more likely to run without issue on those processors, so more musicians buy PCs with Intel processors, so developers are even more likely to develop and test on Intel processors, etc.