If those specs are right, I think you need to return either the notebook or the FP10.
What DAW software are you planning on using?
What OS is on the notebook? Unless you're running Linux, I don't think you have enough processing power, RAM, or hd space do to 8 tracks simultaneously. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope so, but I don't think so.
When planning on using a computer-based DAW, you have to make sure that all of the components - hardware, software, OS, and computer, are compatible.
Either your FP10 is overkill for what your laptop is capable of, or your laptop is not up to snuff for what you want to do.
And you don't need a 'soundcard'. That's an audio interface, which is what the FP10 is. You need a PCII firewire card. I don't even know what a 'PCII' format is, to be honest. I didn't come up with anything when I searched for it.
