Is there supposed to be a "blank" in the Smart Card reader?

For the laptops that have Smart Card readers, is there a "blank" or dummy card that's supposed to be in there when you get the laptop? My D630 seems to just have the Smart Card slot but the manual says it should have a blank. If there is supposed to be one, I should call Dell and get them to send one to me.

 

There was in my Inspiron 1420, you would think they would include it with the Latitudes. I would call and get one sent to you. It helps keeps dust out and it looks better in my opinoin.

 

I don't think so. There generally is a blank in such laptops. My sister got a d630, she didn't get a blank. it does add cosmetic beaty, and keeps dust out...I'd request one, hey it might be free, right?

 

Ohhhh, so thats what its for.

 

I got a blank in the SD Memory reader as well as the "IR Remote Docking Bay".

But, that should be standard fare for any laptop--it's to keep dust out so that when you do decide the use the port a year or two down the road, it won't already be corroded and busted due to dust contact.

 

My Vostro 1500 comes with a blank.

 

My Inspiron 1720 came with blanks in both the Card Reader and the Remote Docking bay.

 

Hello,

This is Richard from Dell's Online Community Outreach group. Your D630 system, did it come with a filler for PCI Express slot. Is it just the smart card reader slot that is empty?

This is the slot for PCI Express Cards


This is the slot for Smart Cards


We only have fillers for the PCI Express Slot not the Smart Card slot.

Regards,

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

Funny, I got fillers for both. I have Inspiron 1720. Smart Card slot is the one used to read memory cards of cameras etc isn't it? Or is it something else? I got two fillers, one where I have my IR Remote now, and other where I put the memory card of my camera.

 

Nope, the Smart Card reader allows businesses to setup two-factor authentication in order to log in to the system. I.E.-It combines something that you know (username and password) and something physical you have (the smart card). Without both, you wont be able to logon. The smart card is very thin and about the size of a credit card, see the Dell C. A. pics.

Hope this helps

 

It does have one for the PC card slot, but not one for the Smart Card reader. I guess that's the way it's supposed to be. Thanks.

 

Wow. This thread is unbelievable. The terminology is all over the place here. You guys are using terms interchangeably and meaning very, VERY different things.

All our Dell laptops have Express Card readers. They are where you put the remote, if its not already in use. It comes with a blank.

Then, we also have all in one memory card readers. They are the ones used to read SD/MMC/MS cards. And yes, my 1420 does have a blank one in the slot.

We don't have any Smart card readers. Smart cards are different. Nor do we have any PCI Express cards accessible from outside. We have a GRAPHICS CARD inside, which fits into the PCI Express slot. However, this is not at all accessible from the outside.

There, hope this solves the confusion.

 

The D630 has a PC card slot, not an Express Card slot.

The D630 does have a Smart Card reader. The Inspirons don't.

 

Hello,

The Inspiron 1720 does not have a Smart Card slot. Smart Cards are used for security. You could think of it like a key card to gain access to the computer. You can Wiki more information on Smart Cards for a more detailed description.

Example of Smart Card


This memory slot is for SD cards. Same type of function as USB keys, just a different interface.

Memory card slot for 1720 system


I hope that this clears up any confusion.

Best regards,

Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach

 

Clarification:

The D630 has a PC Card slot. The slot can use an ExpressCard but with an adapter. Our wireless (Verizon) card is an ExpressCard, which includes the adapter.

Example of adapter:


My apologizes for not being clear on this. Thanks for pointing this out.

Regards,

Richard B
Dell Community Outreach

 

Yeah, it's a what's-it-called... An express dummy.

 

I have 2 blanks also one in the memory card slot and one in the smart card slot.