3.7.4 on Vaio UX 180P

trying to use my P20 with a Vaio UX 180P...C1pro only sees the camera for a short time after initial install, then there are errors and finally no connection can be made at all...rebooting the computer or the back, re-connecting the cable, restarting C1 don't help the software does not see the back....the UX180P is a new ultracompact "laptop"..the body does not have firewire, but the docking station has an "i-link" (4pin) port...the strange thing is that the camera is seen when i install the software first, i can get a couple of shots...then nothing at all anymore....does not seem to matter if the dockingstation is powered or not....
also: tried to manually set the back to battery power, but i guess in the latest firmware automatic is the only choice now? at least that is all i get....i am usually on a mac and obviously the vaio runs xp and i am having lots of problems with settings/control panels and other software (i just don't know my way around windows, now i really know why i am on mac..anyway..)...is there a setting/driver install/ firewall issue i have to consider?