Greg,
If you are running a 64 bit version of any OS, then the Roland VSC is not going to work.

Windows comes with the Microsoft GS Wavetable Software Synth, which basically is a licensed version of the Roland VSC, but it does not work well if you wish to play along with it, because of something called 'Latency.'

You can, for about $40, purchase the Coyote Forte DXi synth, you'll get a demo version usually with the latest Band In A Box versions.

This was one of the main reasons that I said get one of those Yamaha keyboards, it has the sounds in it, they'll be better than most anything else you can get, and they're portable. As portable as a 25 key Oxygen? No, of course not, but then you'll need to get some kind of sound generator.

If you're going to take your laptop with you, then get something small. If you're going to build a small studio around your laptop, and not take it anywhere, get that Yamaha YPT-410 that was used.

Gary

I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!