Sorry everyone (anyone who actually reads this thread or has the same issues as I have had)...for a quick update...my laptop never did start working correctly, although after purchasing a PCMCIA 2 port 6 pin Firewire card rather than using my internal 4 pin port, I was able to get signal in & out of the FS and into Cle4, but after all of that it gives me a CPU overload message (??) So I have set that aside for now..too much time wasted..I am able to actually use my FS & Cle4 utilizing my desktop (3g ram, 2 ghz..full specs' and versions later)...and I'm finally pleased with both items..I can record up to 16 tracks at once, add my VST plug in's, automation, etc...so far so good...so back to the original issue (I haven't got a clue, neither does anyone else I think)..but I do feel the 4 pin to 6 pin firewire port could be a major factor (no one addressed this to me at any point..which may be a good reason for these user forums - we all learn)...
I do still have issues when using my older ADAT machine - I have to switch to digital input on playback, and also have to make adjustments in the FS control panel going back & forth...but I do get it to work!