after I installed the actual card, I turned on my computer and waited for it to pop up the installation wizard. For some reason, no matter what I did, my computer would not read the installation info from the CD.
The installation CD claimed it contained drivers for Windows 2000/XP and OSX. I "explored" the CD and it held 3 files: the pdf, an extraction folder (like winzip but not), and some other unrecognizable file. However, when I opened the .pdf it only contained instructions for Windows 95/98
I tried a few other hardware installation options. It kept saying no setup files could be found. And it kept wanting me to specify a folder from which it would try to find the setup files. I selected the CD drive from which the installation CD was inserted but with no luck. It seemed like the card/computer wizard was telling my computer to look for something on a floppy disk. So, I extracted the files a Floppy disk. One problem; once the files are in their extracted state, the total file size is 1.48 MB which unfortunately doesn't fit onto a 1.44 MB floppy
so I put the files onto 2 disks and it seemed like installation was gonna work but it didn't like the interruption caused by having to switch the disks halfway so installation failed (getting closer)
I had previously tried to extract the files onto my harddrive but when I tried to select the folder I had extracted to as the folder I wanted to install from, the window wouldn't let me click ok
I tried moving the folder containing the setup files in a few other locations and the blasted thing finally let me select it! Finally, after searching for drivers on the internet, breaking out the old skool floopies, crapping my pants, taking out the trash, and cursing at my computer, I had defeated my computer in its inceasant quest to deter me from ever making it a bit-perfect machine.
so far I have been able to get it to receive an optical signal from my MD deck. I guess this is what I get for $100