Can't get Spike to work on compaq r4010ca laptop

[topboost]

HI all, I'm trying out a friend's spike interface on my laptop to see if I like it enough to buy one for my own. Install went fine, but the usb connection light won't come on in the user panel and no audio comes in. strangely though, we can pipe audio out to the spike when media player plays something on my laptop.
I've checked for irq issues with the 4 usb ports I have and there's nothing there. I've also searched compaq for any updates that might help... nothing.
Any ideas?
I have adobe audition intalled and it recognized the spike being plugged in right way.
I don't have tracktion installed, is that a requirement for the interface to work?

thx

Ron