[MrRoboSteve]

Congrats on going to champs!

This is almost certainly something about the configuration of your driver station machine. I personally started the DS software about 500 times on team DS machines connected to the field this year and never saw your problem.

Here's some ideas for you that will both help Greg find the issue and make sure you have a good experience.

1. Before starting, run msinfo32 and export your configuration into a text file on the local disk, naming it something like "before.txt"

2. Remove all other installed software on the DS machine. No Spotify, CAD software, IDEs, games, game VPN software, iTunes, toolbars, etc. You can keep OEM software like video control panels.

3. Now run msinfo32 again and export. This time name it "after.txt"

4. Make a backup driver station machine. If I was in your situation, this machine would have a fresh Windows 8.1 install, fully up to date on patches (keep running Windows Update until no changes are proposed), with Windows Firewall turned off. Install only what's needed to get the DS software installed.

5. When you arrive at champs, go find a CSA, explain the connection problem you have, and ask them to go with you to the FTA to see if you can validate your connection before practice starts. Depending on the FTA, they may want to try to resolve your issue prior to practice starting. Try both the primary DS and the backup.

If removing the software solved the problem on your primary laptop, Greg will be particularly interested in the before and after msinfo32 exports.