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    PCMCIA USB Hub causing problems

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Tim, Mar 31, 2007.

  1. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well I got my laptop back two days ago. If you haven't followed what has been going on I will give a quick recap. I got my laptop fixed because it was "lagging" in windows. The repair guy said that was something in the BIOS (I am not sure what he changed in there). My second issue was the my USB ports didn't work without giving me an error message. He wasn't able to fix that so he gave me a PCMCIA 2 USB port card.

    The problem is that my laptop won't start up unless that PCMCIA card is attached. The laptop will power on and the fans and CD rom drive will spin up but the Wifi and the screen don't turn on...

    This is really anyone because I can't restart my laptop, otherwise it won't start up. And then I will have to mess around with the PCMCIA card until the laptop finally starts up after 10 tries.

    I am about ready to chuck this laptop out my window and just get a new Santa Rosa laptop when they come out. -_-
    Tim
     
    Tim, Mar 31, 2007
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  2. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    Are you running something via USB that is required at bootup? Running an OS on an external HD? If something boots to PCMCIA (which I have never seen...yet) then your PCMCIA card needs to be attached.

    Otherwise, it looks like there is some circuitry problem. Like the card is completing a circuit...weird...does your machine go past the BIOS posting without the card (ie, does it just hang when Windows is booting) or is it earlier on in the boot process?
     
    Gautam, Mar 31, 2007
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  3. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm...I just called up the guy who fixed my laptop and he said he noticed that it sometimes wouldn't start too (thanks for telling me -_-). He thinks it could be battery problem. I am starting to wonder if it is that...
    Tim
     
    Tim, Mar 31, 2007
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  4. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    No I only have my PCMCIA card attached during boot up.

    If my laptop doesn't start the screen won't even power on. There is harddrive activity but I am not sure if something is going on. So no it doesn't go past the BIOS I guess. :p

    The battery thing is kinda weird too. If I take out my battery while it is running it sometimes starts, but not all the time...

    All I know is the problem is really random...and I can't seem to pinpoint it. :(
    Tim
     
    Tim, Mar 31, 2007
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