Question

XP will not recognize PCMCIA card

Asked by: mpcm

I have an issue with a Sprint Merlin S620 Broadband card being recognized when it's inserted into the PCMCIA slot of a Dell Latitude D600 with XP Pro installed. Things I have done to try an resolve this issue are:
Install a new PCMCIA slot
Reinstall the latest Sprint Connection Software
Uninstall and reinstall the PCMCIA controller drivers
I have three different PCMCIA cards I 've tested with the slot, the Merlin S620, a Netgear wireless ethernet adapter, and a Sierra Aircard 775. Only the Sierra Wireless aircard is being recognized by XP as it prompts and tries to install the drivers. The other two will not do anything.

If you're thinking bad cards, that's not it because they both work perfectly on another laptop.

I have checked the BIOS for settings concerning COM ports and found nothing.

I have updated the PCMCIA controller drivers

I have reinstalled the chipset drivers


There are no issues within device manager that would indicate a problem. Other than the fact that it doesn't show up under Modems, USB, or Ports like it should.
The fact that this card works in another laptop and another kind of Aircard will try to install really has me in fits. Thanks for any help.

 

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Asked On
2008-03-15 at 09:04:09ID23244084
Tags

Sprint

,

Sprint Connection

,

Dell

,

Latitude D600

,

PCMCIA card

,

PCMCIA

Topics

General Laptop

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

Broadband Internet

Participating Experts
1
Points
0
Comments
12

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Answers

 

by: PUNKYPosted on 2008-03-15 at 10:03:54ID: 21133405

Are you using XP pro with service pack 2?

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 10:10:05ID: 21133429

Punky,
Yes.

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 10:13:55ID: 21133439

I forgot to mention that it worked fine about three weeks ago.

 

by: PUNKYPosted on 2008-03-15 at 10:22:10ID: 21133478

If it was working fine last 3 weeks, I would do a system restore to that date see if it helps. And if it works after restore, I also would turn off the automatically update (select manual) which could be a cause that messes system.

If it is not working after restore, I suggest to do bios reset by this combination key:
- F2 to bios during start up.
- Turn on cap lock, num lock, and scroll lock.
- Type in sequence ALT+E, ALT+F, and ALT+B
- You should hear some beep.

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 10:56:03ID: 21133601

Punky,
I tried as you suggested and still no PCMCIA card. I forgot to mention that I also restored system to December as the first possible solution. I did however manage to reset the BIOS. The steps you outlined may be different for this D600 because Num LK was already enabled and pressing ALT+F acually reset BIOS. I didn't hear a beep but the Time and Date went to zero. I then changed the time and date and left everything else alone and rebooted and still no PCMCIA card.

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 11:00:20ID: 21133617

I also have ran Virus and spyware scans and found viruses but have since erradicated them.
I also ran sfc /scannow

 

by: PUNKYPosted on 2008-03-15 at 12:55:20ID: 21134018

If the PCMCIA detected correctly, it should appear in Device Manage an entry as PCMCIA Adapters, that I know for the Dell Lat D series. You almost have done everything possible, but please check the pins (use flash light) to make sure no bent or damage seen. Also, in Device Manager, expand the System Devices see if there are Intel or whatever chipset PCI bus, and bridge present.

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 18:49:09ID: 21135273

Punky,

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 18:53:25ID: 21135283

Punky,
The PCMCIA controller does show up in Device manager and PCI bus as well as Intel chipset are there also. I have checked pins and there are none bent. I replaced with new thinking that it had to be a bad slot. But I guess not or maybe I got a bad one.

 

by: PUNKYPosted on 2008-03-15 at 18:59:44ID: 21135300

You should not assume the slot is bad without try other PCMCIA card on that slot. If other card has same issue, then the slot might be bad, but if it works ..... then you might have sothing to do such as:
Flash bios ??? not likely, but reinstall OS could help.

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-03-15 at 20:38:16ID: 21135526

I don't won't to reinstall but I'm going to just for kicks. I created image of system jsut in case the reinstall fixes the problem and if I have time I'll restore image and try to determine what's wrong. I'll keep you posted.

 

by: mpcmPosted on 2008-04-01 at 17:28:11ID: 21259240

PUNKY,
Sorry it took so long to get back to this. I had to order a new MB for the laptop. I disassemled again to look over my previous rebuild and found that the slot on the motherboard that the PCMCIA slot plugs into was cracked. That explained it working with other cards and not the Sprint Merlin card. I guess the contacts for each card are not all the same. I'mm gonna give 200 points for helping. Thanks

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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