liquid yeast starter

I'm doing my first brew with liquid yeast and I'm wondering what I need to do to start it. The packet says to pitch it to a starter wort made with dried malt extract, but I don't have any dried malt extract around. I have the liquid malt syrup for my brew though. Should I use some of that to make a starter wort? Or can I just pitch it into sugar water? Or do I need to drive across town to the homebrew store to get some dried malt extract?

Is it an ale or a lager?

If it's an ale, you could use some of your liquid malt extract. Just make about a litre starter with an OG of 1.040 and pitch the whole lot into your brew.

Don't use plain sugar, this won't help your yeast.

^^^^^^^ Yeah That. What type of yeast is it? White Labs pitchable, Wyeast Activator (smack Pack)?

It's a Wyeast Activator yeast, it's a warm temp lager yeast for a steam style beer...