i finally upgraded from the old HP with windows XP to a refurbished Dell with Windows 7.  since i lost my Lexicon Alpha to Sandy when the bsmt where i kept it floded with 12 inches of water, i bought me a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.  so far MIDI is working well, although i haven't tried recording audio yet.
when i connect the Focusrite to the Dell, it doesn't seem to recognize it.  actually when i click on the icon to disconnectly safely, the Focusrite doesn't show up.  i've been disconnecting it "by force" so to speak.
i don't know if this is acceptable or bad, if there's something that i have to do to make it happen, or take it to repair or what.  any of you techies have any ideas that you can share?
 
thank you,
sirena del mar

you need to install the focusrite software per the instructions included on the software.  it should have come with a software disk.  if not, go to focusrite's website and download the software drivers from their site.

As Beagle said, you do need to have the drivers for the 2i2 installed.  If you continue to have trouble, please contact Focusrite support here: http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase/en/contact.php

Sirena, have you got internet at home, yet?
If not, you will have to go to your internet cafe and download the latest drivers for the Scarlett and your operating system onto a thumb drive, then take that thumb drive home and install the drivers from it.

thank you for your replies, guys.  i forgot to mention that i did download the drivers.  actually, MC5 recognizes that the Focusrite is there, is the computer that doesn't seem to do so.  but i'll leave a note to the Focusrite people and also to the Dell people.

sirena del mar

p.s.:  Gregy, i do have access to the Internet where i live now.  i love how you so carefully explained how to download a program from the Internet!  thanks. 

as long as MC5 recognizes the interface and it's drivers.... you're good. That's all that matters with the DAW anyway when you are working with recording something...right? 

I echo Guitarhacker's comment/question.  if MC 5 recognizes it, then what does it matter if windows doesn't?