Expresscard CF reader problem on HDX16 and HDX18

So, let me say up front that this is a rather specific issue, and is't unlikely anyone has a similar experience, but I thought I'd put it out there in case someone has an idea.

I have the fortune of having and HDX18t and an HDX16t. I purchased an Expresscard Compact Flash Reader to use with my Sandisk Extreme CF cards. This reader is no ordinary reader. Most Expresscard media readers are internally USB once you plug them into the Expresscard slot. This one, is super high-speed, and is seen as a PCI IDE controller with dual channel ATA when inserted (supports up to UDMA 6 mode).

Here's the problem. When I plug the reader and a CF card into the HDX16 or HDX18, at first it works. If I unplug it from the Expresscard slot and reinsert it, Vista finds the card reader instantly, but does NOT see the CF card. No drive letter, no device found in device manager for it.

I get the same behavior on the HDX16 and HDX18 (which are almost identical hardware, btw).

On my HDX20 (Vista x64 also), it works normally. I can remove and reinsert the card reader with the CF card and it creates a drive letter every time, instantly.

Same on my Dell Studio 15.

Seems to just be the HDX16 and HDX18. Interestingly, if I go into device manager and perform a "scan for new hardware" it finds the card and creates a drive letter like normal. It's almost like the PnP process is not completing normally.

I purchased a different brand Expresscard CF reader (SIIG), and it is not the super-high-speed type...when I plut it in, the system sees a USB media reader and it works normally (I can remove and reinsert and it works everytime).

Any ideas? Almost seems like a chipset driver issue. At first, I thought Vista x64, but my HDX20 with Vista x64 works.

Thanks.

 

sounds like a device driver issue to me. But beyond that I don't have any other suggestions for you. If you check device hardware, perhaps you'll find the HDX20 uses a different brand of expresscard slot.

 

That's part of the mystery...I don't think the Expresscard slot has a driver, per se. I don't see it anywhere in device manager. I think it might be just an extension of the PCI bus, and therefore just a generic system driver.

If anyone can help with what device in device manager is the Expresscard slot, that would be much appreciated!

 

Have you tried other CF cards? Perhaps of a smaller capacity.

I had two HP DV9000 series systems, one a 9500 and the other a 9933CL
abd the 9500 woulld read all of my 8GB, 16GB and 32GB SD cards but the
9933CL would not read the 32GB and it was the newer version of the 9000.

Just an idea...

On a side note, how do you like the HDX 16T?

I have one on order.

 

Yes, I have an older 32MB CF card and it has the same behavior. It's odd, the first time I insert the card after power on, it seems to work...anytime after that, the system only sees the card reader, but not the actual CF card unless I do a "scan for new hardware" in device manager.

 

Hello. I too have had problem getting the hdx18 to recognize the CF card when plugged into a udma compliant expresscard 54 adapter. At first it worked with a few different udma lexar and pny 8gb cards. Now the computer doesn't see them. I have tried two different brand udma expresscard adapters and still the same problem.
Sounds like a problem on HP'end.
The only work around is as stated in an earlier thread, go to device manager and tell it to look for new hardware. If I then remove the card, the HP HDX18 will NOT recognize it again.
UDMA expresscard is supposed to be the fastest path for putting info into the computer but having to go through an installation for each CF card insertion negates any speed advantage.
Got any ideas?
Thanks, Zemo

 

Hello again.I went to a computer store and tried a Delkin CF Expresscard reader in a few different HP computers with the same results. After the initial read, reinserting the same CF card results in it not being recognized. When I contacted Delkin, they replied almost immediately and said that the problem is in VISTA and that Micro S. will NOT certify their drivers at this time. I have installed the very latest SP2 for Vista with the same results. The driver for the Expresscard slot is still dated 2006.
I would love to get this thing working properly. After wiping the computer and bringing it back to the original factory environment, I sent it to HP. They were able to duplicate the problem and then promptly washed their hands of any responsibility. I hope that other professional photographers don't get caught up in this HP HDX18 dilemma and go for a different brand high end portable computer.

 

how do you eject the card? Just pull it out or via eject hardware?

 

It doesn't matter which way you do it, either way, the system does not see the card when you reinsert it without doing a manual "detect new hardware" in device manager.

FWIW, I was disappointed to find out that Windows 7 is no better. Removal and reinsertion of the Expresscard CF reader is not recognized without doing a manual redetection.

 

I went to a couple of stores to test different laptop for this same problem. As an HP rep watched, All HP and Gateway computers did not recognize the CF card upon reinsertion. All Toshiba and Dell computers worked flawlessly, NO Problem. Sounds like a hardware problem to me. I just sent my HDX18t back to HP for a second time to try to rectify this dilemma.
When I have spoken to another HP rep who looked through all their laptop offerings, personal and business, he found that HP does not make any laptop that has a built-in CF card reader.

 

Keep us up to date with the status (after you get your '18 back from repair).

Thanks!

 

I sent my HP HDX18 back to their service department with a letter stating the problem and the tests I have made on other HP laptops as well as Toshiba and Dell computers. I received a call from the service department manager asking me again what the problem is. I explained it all again to him. I then received a call from an HP case manager saying that the service department saying that the computer may be going to engineering dept. I actually received the computer back unannounced with a letter from the service department manager stating that they could not duplicate the problem because they did not have a CF card and Expresscard adapter to test it with. (WOW. Don't most professional cameras us CF memory cards?)
I returned the computer for a third time. This time I was asked to include a CF card and an Expresscard adapter. I spoke to the service department manager as he was duplicating the problem over and over again. He stated that he had no way of fixing the problem and that it would have to go to engineering for further evaluation. He had no idea how long I would be without the computer. He indicated that the problem could be in the chip set on the mother board.
I received the computer back today with their generic note, "Repaired System Board, problem was duplicated during full diagnostics." The computer does not recognize any CF memory card that is inserted into the computer for a second time. The problem has not been fixed. My case manager still has not called me back after leaving messages for him.
I will post the final status once I hear from my case manager.

 

After many phone calls an HP case manager offered me 90% of the cost of the unit because they "have no technical solution to this problem." Of course, I asked what I was paying 10% of $2900 for, and he told me he would have to check the "wording" so that I would get back 100%. I returned the HP as instructed and received a phone call yesterday that "the check is in the mail." I have since ordered a core i7 17 laptop from Malibal. It appears to be the exact same unit that Falcon NW sells for close to $4000 and AvaDirect sells for $3500. The cost is about $3000 but I have not received it yet. It comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. I explained this problem to All of the companies I contacted and none had tested their computers and were had no intentions of purchasing a CF card or adapter to try. One company asked me why I didn't buy a Toshiba or Dell if I had tested it on them. I will keep you posted. Zemo

 

Sounds like it turned out to be a good deal for you!

Never heard of Malibal. Is the i7 chip a mobile i7 or a standard i7? I know the mobile chips are coming out soon, but I didn't think they were out yet.

 

I really liked the hdx18 with the quad processor except that it would NOT read the CF cards through the express card slot. HP skirted around the issue but knew they had no fix for it. Professional photographers will have to look elsewhere.
Malibal sells the Clevo laptop that appears to be the same as the ones sold by AVAdirect and Falcon Northwest. The price is lower at Malibal. The processor is a standard i7, not mobile. And YES is does read CF cards repeatedly through the Express Card Slot. The machine operates very fast. I thought that I would have a hard time getting used to the keyboard but it is not bad and a good size for a man's hands. It is heavy, thick and does not last long on battery power. I am using it plugged in to an outlet on location so those things don't concern me. You can't have it all: powerful, light weight/size, long battery, in the same unit. I bought it with a SSD and that helps the speed. Also got a 500gb HD. It can be configured with 3 drives, 2 setup for Raid but the folks at AVA Direct don't recommend Raid on this unit. They must have had some issues. Some reviews said it was noisey but I did not find it so. It has 4 fans that get going when you really work the unit but my old HP pavilion ZD7000 is not much quieter when it's working. The power brick is 20 volt 11 amp, big and heavy, $120 for an extra one.
They only sell it with vista. If you need a transportable, fast computer, I highly recommend it. Thanks for your support. It really helped me establish a pattern of trouble.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/images/smilies/wacky/spinny.gif

 

exactly same problem I had on my Thinkpad X200T, Win 7 x64, I read this post today, and guess what? here is the solution I found, works flawlessly:

I'm using a "nobrand" expresscard 54 CF reader from Ebay, it has same shape of "Delkin Expresscard 54". and my CF card is Sandisk UDMA 16G 60MB/s

when I first plugged it in, it's jumped out in my device manager immediately, with a new disk "Nikon D3" (my CF card) in "My computer", but after that, there is no luck, some times, it ask me if I need to format the disk to use, most of the time, there is no disk showing in the device manager.

after reading this post, especially when I read the Delkin people told Captain Zemo that the driver is not certified by Vista, I went to download Delkin's driver at:

( www.) delkin.com/downloads/drivers/WINDOWS-DR25%20Driver-V4.0.zip

I tried to attached it here, but cannot upload in my firefox browser.

after unzip it in a folder, DONOT run the setup.exe, plug your expresscard cf reader, and find the "standard dual channel PCI/IDE controller" in the device manager, (please watch carefully, because my x200t already has one of this controller at the same name, so I just disable the lenovo driver before I plug in the expresscard, in this way, you won't mess it with the jumped out same name controller), then right click on it, go "Update driver software", and choose to browse the computer for the software, lead it to the unzipped driver folder. and there it goes! after reboot, a new device in your device manager, Memory technology driver, expresscard cf adapter!

I hope this solution can help you, and sorry for my bad Chinglish, I think the card I got is from the same factory of Delkin, I don't think this solution is needed for SIIG expresscard CF USB, but this problem did bothered me for a month, until I read this post which shed me a light.

I feel bad for lancorp that returned his HP, it's a good computer, just like this Lenovo X200T, and I think , the best customer support is the collective mind of the customers, not HP or Delkin CS people, so thanks again for this forum.