It is either a software compatibility issue with software I have on the system or a hardware conflict with system. I have gotten the program to work on an old xp Desktop. I can't get the board to communicate with that system, but the software does not sit and spin. I can actually click and do all the drop down menus. So with my win 8.1 laptop -- it is probably a software compatibility issue with something I have installed. That is what I am leaning to.