[jesse1579]

I have two notebooks. One is an hp pavilion dv5000z and the other is a dell inspiron 1300. Both notebooks have slots that say they will take a type 2 pc card. Here is my problem. I was under the impression that a pcmcia card is the same as a type 2 pc card. I have an altell data card that is pretty much a cellular modem that I use to connect to the internet on my desktop pc (I use a pcmcia to pci adapter for the desktop). I would like to use the data card on my notebooks also but when I plug them in the card doesn't activate or anything. I know the card is good. My question is, is a pcmcia card the same as a type 2 pc card? On the back of the data card box it even says that this card will work in standard type 2 pc slots. Are the slots in my pavilion and my insparon not the standard pc slots? I would greatly appreciate any help that I could get. I am truly at a loss. I've called hp tech support and I get the same response over and over agian that the card should work with this notebook, but it doesn't. HELP!!!

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Hi

A 'type 2' PC card is a type of PCMCIA card. Basically pcmcia card are either type 1, 2 or 3. The difference between the type is the thickness of the card. Type 3 for example is double thinkness & requires 2 pcmcia slots for a single card.

This may sound like a strange question, but when you insert this card into one of the notebooks, how do you know that Windows hasn't detected it?

[Samm]

Hi

A 'type 2' PC card is a type of PCMCIA card. Basically pcmcia card are either type 1, 2 or 3. The difference between the type is the thickness of the card. Type 3 for example is double thinkness & requires 2 pcmcia slots for a single card.

This may sound like a strange question, but when you insert this card into one of the notebooks, how do you know that Windows hasn't detected it?

[jesse1579]

When I insert the card into the slot I don't get the audiable notification that windows gives when a new device is found, and the card's activation led doesn't light up. I've also checked in device manager and I don't see the card listed, even after I did a detection of new devices. I called hp again and it appears that this is a pc e slot. They say the slot will handle a type 2 card but it doesn't have any pins and the card isn't seen. Thanks for the help.

[Samm]

I'm not certain but I'm wondering if the confusion is this :

I assume HP are referring to a PC express slot. Express cards come in 2 types :

Type 1 = full size card & is 'L' shaped

Type 2 = smaller sized card & is rectangular in shape but narrower than a normal pcmcia card (34mm wide)

If you only have a PC express slot on the notebook but are trying to insert a standard pcmcia card, then this may explain why it's not being detected.

Or, is it possible you are trying to insert a PC express card into a standard pcmcia slot instead?