Cardbus Controller/Mode problem [PCMCIA to PCI Adapter Issue]

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Dallasjmoore

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I need to use the verizon wireless PCMCIA card on a desktop (running XP-Pro). I live out of range for any kind of Cable or DSL lines, but I am within range of Verizon's wireless broadband service. I installed a PCMCIA to PCI controller card on my desktop:

- I installed the PCMCIA to PCI controller card. (brand new)
- Checked the Device Manager (said device is working properly)
- I Installed the Verizon- VZAccess Manager Software
- I Installed the Verizon PCMCIA Card
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue:
When I run the VZAccess Manager it starts like an installation wizard, Then it gets to a part that says to install the card. Well, I installed the card, the green light comes on on the PCMCIA to PCI Controller card, but the VZAccess Manager will not recognize that the card is installed, and the next button (to continue with the set-up) on the wizard remains "grayed out."

What I've tried:
1st.
- I have taken the card out
- rebooted
- ran the VZ Access Manager, waited until the wizard asked to install the card
- installed the card
---------- and it still does not recognize it.

2nd
- I have installed the PCMCIA to PCI controller card into a different PCI slot
---------- and got the same result.

3rd
- I have installed the PCMCIA to PCI controller card on another old Compaq system also running XP Pro.
- installed the card
- ran the VZ Access Manager
---------- and got he same result, the VZAccess manager didn't read the card.

4th
- I have inserted another type II card for wireless networking
---------- and the system still would not read the card.

The card works great on my laptop (with XP Pro) but I can't get it to be recognized on my desktops. Any ideas?
 
Dallasjmoore, welcome to MyADSL :).

I doubt that anyone here has experience with a Verizon PCMCIA adapter card, what does Verizon say?
 
I have not yet heard from Verizon's Tech Support. Although I have tried a D-Link wireless network card and the system does not read it either.
 
OK, I have installed it on my new Dell XPS system with XP Pro and this is the message that came up:

The device Ricoh (PCMCIA toPCI adapter) or compatable cardbus controller has detected a cardbus in the slot, but the firmware on the system is not configured to allow the cardbus controller to run in cardbus mode. What does this mean and how can I fix it?
 
Dallasjmoore said:
OK, I have installed it on my new Dell XPS system with XP Pro and this is the message that came up:

The device Ricoh (PCMCIA toPCI adapter) or compatable cardbus controller has detected a cardbus in the slot, but the firmware on the system is not configured to allow the cardbus controller to run in cardbus mode. What does this mean and how can I fix it?
Click to expand...
I dunno what it means - other than maybe a BIOS-type setting to enable that which is disabled, unless your mainboard has jumpers to fiddle with...

Either way I think you've got more chance of getting help in the MyADSL Hardware forum, so I'm moving your thread there :).
 
there are a few types of pcmcia cards...type 1, type II, and type III, and then there is normal ones (16bit) and cardbus ones (32bit)

a 32bit cardbus pcmcia card will typically have little gold coloured raised dots at the connector end of the card itself, indicating it is a 3.3v 32bit cardbus card.

If you plug this type of card into a 16bit controller,
a) it wont be recognised but
b) it will actually fit.

there will be two types of beeps when inserting the card, a low followed by a high means the card is successfully recognised, ...whereas a low followed by a lower means the card hasnt got drivers installed, or isnt recognised. If you get no beeps, that means it is a 16/32 bit mismatch.

Please check the documentation that came with the controller, if it doesnt support cardbus 32bit then you are out of luck, as most pcmcia cards since about 2002 are all designed to be used in 32bit cardbus controllers.

Alternatively, give us the complete name of the controller as shown in device manager (i.e. "Ricoh XYZ123 cardbus controller") and we can find out if it supports cardbus
 
Right the PCI to PCMCIA adaptor is old and out of date, I would take it back and have then get a new one for you. You can go the the manu's site of the PCMICIA card that you bought and download the new flash update - but that means they you need to know how to flash it 2. Have the computer shop replace it - or do the update for you.

Also download the new drivers for the PCMCIA card and install them.

This should fix the problem.
 
OK, here are the specs. I think I see the problem. It looks like the PCMCIA to PCI adapter supports 16-bit PCMCIA cards and the Verizon PC 5740 looks like a 32-bit PCMCIA card. Please verify the specs for me:

PCMCIA to PCI adapter:
Ricoh R/RL/RT/RC/5C457(II), R5C520 or Compatable Cardbus Controller

Features:
- Compliant with PCI Local Bus specification 2.2
- Hot Swapping and Plug-n-Play compatible
- Compliant with PC Card Standard Release 8.0 Specification
- Support 16-bit (PCMCIA 2.1/JEIDA 4.2) and 32-bit (CardBus) PC Card
- 3.3V or 5V power light indicator
- Compliant with i82365SL register set and ExCA
- Support Type I/II/III CardBus/PCMCIA card
- Software driver supports Windows 98SE,ME,2000,XP and some other most popular OS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verizon Wireless PCMCIA Card: PC 5740
Basic Information
Size: 0.39L x 2.08W x 4.56H inches
Weight: 1.6 oz
Basic Features
BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess high speed wireless data access of up to 2.4 Mbps
BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess compatible
32-bit CardBus interface(3.3V) for lower power consumption
VZAccess Manager software for easy connection management
Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer's highest FCC reported SAR 1.26 on body. Actual SAR may vary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
What can I do or where could I find the correct hardware?
 
Cardbus Adapter Problem

I have the exact same problem with the Dell XPS 600. Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem? I need to be able to access the Internet via the Verizon card.

Dell is working on the problem; Verizon has said that they do not support third party hardware (the Ricoh cardbus adapter); Ricoh has not responded to requests.

The Verizon card is 32 bits and the Ricoh card supports 32 bits. I could use a hand if anyone has figured out this problem.

Thanks,
Donovan
 
Belkin pre N and xps 600

Hi Donovan:

I got the same problem you got with the belkin Pci to pcmcia and the dell xps 600.
Could you figure out a solution for it.
I hate to have to change the wireless card for another one.
Belkin worked like a charm.
Please let me know.
Thanks a lot,
 
Following thread on PCMCIA to PCI Adapter Issue...

I've been following this thread hoping for an answer to the PCMCIA to PCI Adapter issue, however it looks as though the issue of a Verizon wireless modem working on a PCMCIA to PCI Adapter hasn't yet been fixed.

I have the same delima as others who have posted here; I live in the country a long way away from cable access. My only Internet access (other than the more costly satelite Internet) is a very low speed dial up (24Kbps :mad: ), so going broadband is a very attractive alternative. I'm currently signed up on Verizon's National Access plan and would like to get the system to work but I'm stuck.

I've followed the same procedures to isolate the problem as recommended in this thread. As suggested in one response, when I plug the Qualcom PC5740 into the card slot I get the appropriate low followed by a high beep implying the card is successfully recognized. Removing the modem gives me two low beeps. I've managed to get further on the VZAccess wizard whereby I get the VZAccess connection manager. Unfortunately it doesn't help with connecting to the modem. The status message I get is that "a wireless modem can not be located on the computer." This even though it's defined in my Device manager as a wireless modem.:confused:

I've looked for a configuration guide for the PCMCIA to PCI adapter (I'm using the Ricoh Card Bus Controller (don't have the model number handy), with no luck. Looking on the Ricoh web site I could find no mention of this card. It is supposed to be a 16 OR 32 bit card, so I'm betting it's operating correctly.

Has anyone found a resolution to this problem?
 
Sierra EVDO wireless card

This is frustrating. I have the same problem.
I'm trying to connect a Sierra EVDO wireless card (32 Bit CardBus).
I think that the problem is related with motherboard. I tested with 3 PCI-PCMCIA adapters (two TI and one RICOH) and the cards don't work in my Intel 815 system. The 16 Bit cards work OK I tested a Cisco 350 Aironet.

I tested in a HP pavilion and the 3 adapters work fine with the Cardbus (32 Bit).

TRS-80
San Juan, PR
 
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This may be an old post but it seems to be the same in various forums on the net and there never seems to be a solution. I am having the same problem on a new notebook, Clevo 900k that I know supports 32 bit cardbus mode. In the device manager it lists the PCMCIA adapter as a Generic cardbus adapter and I feel that is the problem. I ordered the notebook w/o an OS and installed XP home along w/ SP2 and all drivers.

I have read that it is an issue with the bridge somehow not being recognized but am uncertain as to how to fix that. Just bumping this up to see if the original poster or someone else has a solution yet.
 
Have gotten this working on an IBM desktop

Hi. While I am having the same problem (Ricoh PCI-PCMCIA cardbus type adapter trying to install Verizon KPC650) on a desktop right now, just wanted to let you all know I have gotten this working before on an IBM desktop, plug and play, no problems. (It's actually an IBM Xenon server, running Windows 2000 Server ... so maybe it's an OS issue with XP).

The adapter actually came in a Belkin kit for a Pre-N wireless networking card but I use it for other PCMCIA cards just fine ... just not working on this latest desktop I'm trying.
 
I have same problem with Belkin Pre-N Desktop Card F5D8010 and my Dell XPS 600. Same warning about Ricoh CardBus and no firmware support. Belkin says its Dell's problem. Dell says check with Belkin. I have downloaded updated drivers but they won't even load.
 
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Nividia conflict with Belkin...

There seems to be a conflict with Nvidia motherboard and Belkin pcmcia Ricoh drivers that would not let some products work particulary the Pre-N wireless desktop card. I plan on contacting Nvidia about this to hear their response but i'm about 99.9% that its their motherboard compatibility with Belkin.:(
 
Not enough resources ? ?

I have had the same problem with a cardbus adapter. My solution was to go into setup mode on powerup and turn off the Com1 and Com2 ports, they weren't being used on my desktop machine. That freed up the resources needed to complete the install of the PCI card.
 
What Verizon Says

As a last ditch effort I requested a technician who had experience with desktop use of pci to PCMIA card and PC 5740 card from verizon this is the response.

Please be advised that Verizon Wireless does not support the use of a PC Card in a desktop. In addition, Verizon Wireless does not offer an adaptor that will enable you to use our PCMCIA data cards in computers that do not have PCMCIA slots.

However, we are aware of USB-to-PCMCIA adaptor from a company called Elan that enables you to use our PCMCIA data cards via the USB port in Windows computers. Elan states that their U132 adaptor can be used with the cards listed below.

Audiovox PC5220
Kyocera KPC650
Novatel V620
Verizon Wireless PC5740

Since neither Verizon Wireless nor the PC card manufactures, sells, or endorses the use of the Elan adaptors, we can neither guarantee functionality, nor provide support for any issues that may arise (including poor connection speeds) when using our aircards with this adaptor. For more information about the Elan U132 you can visit the link below.

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/adapter/u132.php

As a courtesy, we have also provided links to the three vendors who are currently selling the Elan U132. We in no way endorse any of these vendors and we will not provide support for using our cards with this adaptor.

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=214
http://www.synchrotech.com/products/card-rw_13.html
http://www.teampctechnology.com/product_detail.php?id=508

I just sent everything back & I'll try some other option.
 
I had a problem with my card quit working. I discovered after moving it to a different PCI slot it corrected the problem.
 
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