t420 expresscard not connecting

i'm trying to use an esata expresscard in the slot, but when i insert it i get a tone i'm not familiar with; instead of the two ascending 'bings' that happen when plugging in a usb device, i get three of the first lower bings in rapid succession. There isn't any warning message after that, it just doesn't work, and doesn't recognize anything plugged into it.

are there any particular drivers i might be missing or what?

 

As a first step, suggestion would be to (re-)install the drivers for the expresscard (the driver supplied with the expresscard). 3 tones = hardware not recognized (failed to connect).

You can check "Device Manager" (start, type devmgr.msc in the "search" field, hit enter) to see if there's an accompanying yellow check-mark. If so, the drivers may not be correctly installed, there could be a problem with the expresscard itself or the slot in the computer may be at fault. But first try to install (or re-install) the drivers ...

 

the express card itself works, i just assumed it had generic plug and play drivers as on my old asus/vista laptop it is recognized without installing anything further. it's a nameless chinese card though, so i don't know what additional drivers i'd look for.