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February 2nd, 2000 02:00
Problems with PCMCIA Reader in Dimension XPS
Has anyone experienced problems with installing a third party PCMCIA card reader in a Dell? Maybe someone is really smart out there with a good suggestion on how to solve my woes.
Situation: I installed an Antec Datachute PCMCIA card reader in the shared ISA/PCI slot ( ISA card) and one of the open bays and have been able to get the PCMCIA cards to work okay (I use a JAZ Jet SCSI card with 1GB external JAZ drive), but only after the card are first recognized as unknown, then stopped and reinserted. The Antec relies on windows drivers to be recognized. After stopping and reinserting the card, the card recovers and everything functions normally. I've also noticed that the problem with the card reader also impacts my USB port when a device is connected and causes either the USB device to not be recognized or the windows blue screen with cryptic error on VXD USBD (05) when I try to boot with a card installed in the PCMCIA slot. Removing the card, then re-booting solves the problem of the USB port. I've not been able to find any documented problems with PCMCIA reader.
Support from Dell has been the problem lies with Antec and Antec's suggestion is that the problem lies with Dell. I've included the tech support remarks from Dell and Antec. Needless to say, I'm disappointed with the quality of support from both.
Thanks,
Ed Memi
Hello Ed;
Unfortunately the problem stems from your Dell computer, we can replace your unit with another if you want but my suspicion is the symptoms will continue because I believe its your computer thats the issue, I don't know of anyway to
convince of that, and since I'm the head technician all the other technicians will say the same thing.
Jimi Jones
510-770-1200 x303
Ed Memi wrote:
I just wanted to pass along that none of your suggestions worked. Do you have any other suggestions on why this problem may be occurring? Maybe you could refer the problem to another technician within your company since I
really want to get this problem fixed since it is quite annoying, everytime I have to reboot, then stop the card and reinsert it again to get the card reader to recognize the card. I also tested the PCMCIA card reader with another type of PCMCIA removable hard disk and the problem occurs with all
PCMCIA cards. I am convinced that the cards work properly, it is just the reader that doesn't function properly in my Dell when booting.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jimi Jones [mailto:jjones@antec-inc.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 12:01 PM
> To: Ed Memi
> Subject: Re: Datachute PCMCIA Reader
>
> Hello Ed;
>
> I'll need you to call me at 510-770-1200 x303
>
> Jimi Jones
>
> Ed Memi wrote:
>
> > I recently purchased a Datachute and noticed a peculiar aspect. Here is my setup: I installed the ISA card into a PCI/ISA bus in Dell XPS-T 500 PIII running Win 98 2nd Ed. Here is the problem in a nutshell. I use a PCMCIA Fast SCSI card in the reader and when booting the computer...the card is only recognized as socket 1 (it's recognized as something), and it does not recognize the card. Once I stop the card and reinsert it, everything functions normally (the SCSI card is hooked to an external JAZ drive). Do you have an idea why the card has to be stopped and then reinserted for it to be recognized in the data chute reader. I've used the same card in my Laptop (but running Win 95) and have not experienced this problem (i.e. the card is recognized when booting up with the computer). Do you have any ideas?
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Ingram [mailto:dellsupport@dell.com]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2000 8:26 AM
To: Ed Memi
Subject: RE: Case #: 946528094140 - Update - Software/BIOS
Ed,
Thank you for using Dell Online Services.
Try a web forum and see if anyone else can help.
Thank you for contacting us,
Robert
DTA9957
Dell Online Services
DELL4me
On Thu Jan 6 21:19:25 CST 2000 you wrote:
>I have contacted the device manufacturer and the product relies on the microsoft drivers to be recognized. They have no suggestions and have no experience with the problem. Do you have any Dells configured with a PCMCIA card reader that you could look through it and offer suggestions? I show no
conflicts anywhere under device manager, but have recently noticed some other problems with my Dell. I also noticed that my printer (Brother HL-720) will only work now after I reboot the computer once. I also noticed that Snapshot will not allow me to make a backup of my hard drive, giving a
general device failure in which the help files cite possible
harddrive trouble and saying I should contact Dell. I defraged the hardrive, scandisk, and checked for viruses and everything else appears to be in order.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Ingram [mailto:dellsupport@dell.com]
>Sent: Friday, December 31, 1999 11:53 AM
>To: Ed Memi
>Subject: Re: Case #: 946528094140 - Update - Software/BIOS
>
>
>This is not a Dell product , so my ability to assist you with its
>installation and configuration is going to be greatly limited. I have done a search of our internal database, and have checked for information for this device on the Internet, but have not been able to find anything relevant for the problem you are describing.
>
>
>You really need to contact the manufacturer, as they are the experts >when dealing with this product.
>
>
>Thank you for contacting us,
>Robert
>DTA9957
>Dell Online Services
>DELL4me
>
>>************************************************
>>Name: Ed Memi
>>Email: ememi@cchat.com
>>Service Tag: 76BYU
>>***********************************************
>>System Label: Dimension XPS T500
>>
>>Problem: Update - Software/BIOS
>>Problem Description: I recently installed an Antec Datachute PCMCIA card reader in my Dell Dimension. I am able to get my PCMCIA cards to function properly, but some unknown reason the PCMCIA cards are not recognized when booting. If I stop the card (recognized as socket 1, but not empty) and reinsert it, everything functions properly. (I am using Fast SCSI card connected to an external Jaz drive). I was at the Microsoft web site and discoverd the following discussion on Win 98 and it is very similar to my problem.
Is there a bios update or change that needs to be made to ensure PCMCIA cards are recognized when booting? Again, everything functions normally when I stop and reinsert the card...which tells me I installed the reader correctly.
Situation: I installed an Antec Datachute PCMCIA card reader in the shared ISA/PCI slot ( ISA card) and one of the open bays and have been able to get the PCMCIA cards to work okay (I use a JAZ Jet SCSI card with 1GB external JAZ drive), but only after the card are first recognized as unknown, then stopped and reinserted. The Antec relies on windows drivers to be recognized. After stopping and reinserting the card, the card recovers and everything functions normally. I've also noticed that the problem with the card reader also impacts my USB port when a device is connected and causes either the USB device to not be recognized or the windows blue screen with cryptic error on VXD USBD (05) when I try to boot with a card installed in the PCMCIA slot. Removing the card, then re-booting solves the problem of the USB port. I've not been able to find any documented problems with PCMCIA reader.
Support from Dell has been the problem lies with Antec and Antec's suggestion is that the problem lies with Dell. I've included the tech support remarks from Dell and Antec. Needless to say, I'm disappointed with the quality of support from both.
Thanks,
Ed Memi
Hello Ed;
Unfortunately the problem stems from your Dell computer, we can replace your unit with another if you want but my suspicion is the symptoms will continue because I believe its your computer thats the issue, I don't know of anyway to
convince of that, and since I'm the head technician all the other technicians will say the same thing.
Jimi Jones
510-770-1200 x303
Ed Memi wrote:
I just wanted to pass along that none of your suggestions worked. Do you have any other suggestions on why this problem may be occurring? Maybe you could refer the problem to another technician within your company since I
really want to get this problem fixed since it is quite annoying, everytime I have to reboot, then stop the card and reinsert it again to get the card reader to recognize the card. I also tested the PCMCIA card reader with another type of PCMCIA removable hard disk and the problem occurs with all
PCMCIA cards. I am convinced that the cards work properly, it is just the reader that doesn't function properly in my Dell when booting.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jimi Jones [mailto:jjones@antec-inc.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 12:01 PM
> To: Ed Memi
> Subject: Re: Datachute PCMCIA Reader
>
> Hello Ed;
>
> I'll need you to call me at 510-770-1200 x303
>
> Jimi Jones
>
> Ed Memi wrote:
>
> > I recently purchased a Datachute and noticed a peculiar aspect. Here is my setup: I installed the ISA card into a PCI/ISA bus in Dell XPS-T 500 PIII running Win 98 2nd Ed. Here is the problem in a nutshell. I use a PCMCIA Fast SCSI card in the reader and when booting the computer...the card is only recognized as socket 1 (it's recognized as something), and it does not recognize the card. Once I stop the card and reinsert it, everything functions normally (the SCSI card is hooked to an external JAZ drive). Do you have an idea why the card has to be stopped and then reinserted for it to be recognized in the data chute reader. I've used the same card in my Laptop (but running Win 95) and have not experienced this problem (i.e. the card is recognized when booting up with the computer). Do you have any ideas?
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Ingram [mailto:dellsupport@dell.com]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2000 8:26 AM
To: Ed Memi
Subject: RE: Case #: 946528094140 - Update - Software/BIOS
Ed,
Thank you for using Dell Online Services.
Try a web forum and see if anyone else can help.
Thank you for contacting us,
Robert
DTA9957
Dell Online Services
DELL4me
On Thu Jan 6 21:19:25 CST 2000 you wrote:
>I have contacted the device manufacturer and the product relies on the microsoft drivers to be recognized. They have no suggestions and have no experience with the problem. Do you have any Dells configured with a PCMCIA card reader that you could look through it and offer suggestions? I show no
conflicts anywhere under device manager, but have recently noticed some other problems with my Dell. I also noticed that my printer (Brother HL-720) will only work now after I reboot the computer once. I also noticed that Snapshot will not allow me to make a backup of my hard drive, giving a
general device failure in which the help files cite possible
harddrive trouble and saying I should contact Dell. I defraged the hardrive, scandisk, and checked for viruses and everything else appears to be in order.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Ingram [mailto:dellsupport@dell.com]
>Sent: Friday, December 31, 1999 11:53 AM
>To: Ed Memi
>Subject: Re: Case #: 946528094140 - Update - Software/BIOS
>
>
>This is not a Dell product , so my ability to assist you with its
>installation and configuration is going to be greatly limited. I have done a search of our internal database, and have checked for information for this device on the Internet, but have not been able to find anything relevant for the problem you are describing.
>
>
>You really need to contact the manufacturer, as they are the experts >when dealing with this product.
>
>
>Thank you for contacting us,
>Robert
>DTA9957
>Dell Online Services
>DELL4me
>
>>************************************************
>>Name: Ed Memi
>>Email: ememi@cchat.com
>>Service Tag: 76BYU
>>***********************************************
>>System Label: Dimension XPS T500
>>
>>Problem: Update - Software/BIOS
>>Problem Description: I recently installed an Antec Datachute PCMCIA card reader in my Dell Dimension. I am able to get my PCMCIA cards to function properly, but some unknown reason the PCMCIA cards are not recognized when booting. If I stop the card (recognized as socket 1, but not empty) and reinsert it, everything functions properly. (I am using Fast SCSI card connected to an external Jaz drive). I was at the Microsoft web site and discoverd the following discussion on Win 98 and it is very similar to my problem.
Is there a bios update or change that needs to be made to ensure PCMCIA cards are recognized when booting? Again, everything functions normally when I stop and reinsert the card...which tells me I installed the reader correctly.
David .
2 Intern
•
1.1K Posts
0
February 2nd, 2000 19:00
Well, we're actually dealing with a number of different components outside of just the Dell computer and the Antec card reader. In addition, we've got whatever PCMCIA SCSI card you're using and the JAZ drive.
Although they work together in a laptop, particularly with SCSI, some combinations of devices do not always play well together. For instance, at home I have a SIIG SCSI card, and at one point had a SyQuest EZ-Flyer 230 drive, UMAX 1200S scanner, Pioneer 32x SCSI CD-ROM drive and a Seagate 4.8 GB SCSI tape drive. Unfortunately, when the scanner was connected to the SCSI chain, the CDROM drive would disappear intermittently. Each device had it's own SCSI ID, and I tried multiple combinations of SCSI IDs. As long as the scanner was not connected, the CDROM drive would work, and the CDROM drive would work with the other two devices just fine. All four devices worked fine on another SCSI card. Unfortunately, although SCSI has many proponents (myself included) it does not have a firm standard to which all manufacturers must comply.
Taken from PC Webopedia's explanation of SCSI, "Note, however, that the lack of a single SCSI standard means that some devices may not work with some SCSI boards."
I bring this up first because the specific combination of devices may never work precisely as you expect do to any number of variables among them, and not specifically related to any one of them.
However, there are a few things you can check that might indicate such a problem exists, and that it isn't related simply to one component.
First, I'd be interested if the card detects properly after a reboot if the JAZ drive is disconnected from the SCSI card.
Second, I'd be interested if another PCMCIA card detects properly after a reboot, or whether it also needs to be stopped and then reinserted.
Third, Antec's site lists a simple procedure to ensure that the drivers are loaded properly. Check this list after a reboot, stop the card, reinsert it, and then check the list again. If there is a difference, it may indicate a driver problem. The procedure is as follows:
"
lease read the instructions below.
Go to MY COMPUTER>>CONTROL PANEL>>SYSTEM>>DEVICE MANAGER>>PCMCIA SOCKET>>PCMCIA COMPATIBLE>>DRIVERS
You should see the list of the following drivers:
1. SOCKETSV.VXD
2. PCCARD.VXD
3. FLS1MTD.VXD
4. FLS2MTD.VXD
5. SRAMTD.VXD
6. CARDDRV.EXE
7. CSMAPPER.SYS
Finally, check Device Manager to determine what IRQ the card reader's ISA card is requesting and using. Enter the BIOS and reserve this IRQ. It may be as simple as a resource problem of some kind.
ememi
7 Posts
0
February 3rd, 2000 00:00
In response to your questions:
"First, I'd be interested if the card detects properly after a reboot if the JAZ drive is disconnected from the SCSI card." Answer: NO
"Second, I'd be interested if another PCMCIA card detects properly after a reboot, or whether it also needs to be stopped and then reinserted." Answer: No, same process for all PCMCIA cards. All PCMCIA cards when inserted for the first time, must be stopped and then reinserted (whether the card was in the reader when booting or not). When I reboot, I have repeat the process all over again...stop, eject and reinsert, presto...card recognized!
"Third, Antec's site lists a simple procedure to ensure that the drivers are loaded properly. Check this list after a reboot, stop the card, reinsert it, and then check the list again." Answer: this was one of the first things that I checked and there is no difference under all conditions with the PCMCIA card working or not i.e. following boot or reboot or after card is recognized. I also tried removing the PCMCIA controller in device manager and giving windows a chance to reinstall properly. Again, no conflicts anywhere...except since I noticed that I run into a problem with using PCMCIA card and a USB device at the same time.
Regarding your discussion about daisy chaining and past probs with SCSI...I am aware of the past probs with SCSI...having dealt with the horrors of setting up an old SCSI standard scanner. I don't run anything off the back of the SCSI chain from the JAZ drive for this reason and again, the problem occurs with other PCMCIA cards that don't work on a SCSI std.
Per your request, the Iomega JAZ Jet Fast SCSI card is recognized as an an "Adaptec APA/50/60 PCMCIA SCSI Host Adapter" after stopping and reinserting into my Antec.
I've not tried checking the IRQ and not really sure how to do that under Device Manager. But in checking things under Microsoft System utility, I've not found any problems with the IRQs. Can you give me a little more detail about what you are suggesting?
As I menitoned, I've noticed that my USB device (IntelPlay microscope) won't be recognized when I have a PCMCIA card installed and recognized. Which may indicate some validity to your idea that it could be a resource sharing problem. Right now, I get things to work, but its a big pain when forced to reboot or when getting started.
Ed Memi
P.S. Has this problem ever occured with anyone else...I am willing to toss the Antec (It only cost $50), but not sure another reader won't have the same problems. It definately keeps me up at night wondering.
David .
2 Intern
•
1.1K Posts
0
February 3rd, 2000 02:00
- I've not tried checking the IRQ and not really sure
- how to do that under Device Manager. But in
- checking things under Microsoft System utility, I've
- not found any problems with the IRQs. Can you give
- me a little more detail about what you are
- suggesting?
This isn't done in Device Manager, but rather in the BIOS. In Device Manager, double-click on the listing for Computer. Determine which IRQ your Antec ISA card is using. Reboot the system, and at the blue Dell logo screen, press the DEL key until the system indicates it is "Entering Setup." Go to the Advanced screen, and choose Resource Configuration. Choose to reserve the IRQ that the Antec card wants.
- P.S. Has this problem ever occured with anyone
- else...I am willing to toss the Antec (It only cost
- $50), but not sure another reader won't have the
- same problems. It definately keeps me up at night
- wondering.
To be honest, I had never heard of Antec until you posted this, so I can't say I've heard of any particular problems with this device. A search on Deja.com didn't pull up many posts to newsgroups, so it doesn't appear to be a very heavy hitter.
Dell does install an SCM PCMCIA card reader in some Optiplex units for a few of our large customers. The current unit is PCI based, and this maybe something you want to look into as PCI devices typically seem to integrate better with each other.