The first time you boot with the Qio connected, the screen will stay blue for up to 6 minutes while the Mac is configuring the Qio slot space. Please be patient. Subsequent boots should be normal. Note that you must install the Qio software before connecting the Qio.
Yes, but you must hot plug the Qio's interface card into the ExpressCard/34 slot of the 17" Thunderbolt MacBook Pro. The Qio will not be recognized in the 17" Thunderbolt MacBook Pro if you boot or restart with the Qio plugged into the ExpressCard/34 slot. See FAQ 632 for more infomation about compatibility connecting Qio via Thunderbolt.