Compatible PCMIA cards for CF-29ETKGZKM

Hello Tough Users!

I have a CF-29 MK2 and purchased a Navibe USB GPS. Seems to work fine with my trial version of MS Streets and Maps 2010. (after I defragged my HD that is)

Anyway, I am unable to use this GPS device through my USB Slim Hub. I am guessing because the install software is fooling the OS into thinking the GPS receiver is a serial device. My Slim Hub works with my thumb drives and my Sandisk SD adapter. (clunky but it works) So I can plug in either the hub OR the GPS receiver but not both.

I have 2 empty PCMIA slots. I am guessing Type II if the OS Device manager is correct. " Ricoh R/RL/5C476(II) or Compatible CardBus Controller "

So, I was about to blindly buy a USB card and perhaps a Flash drive card or Flash drive card adapter to help Windoze work better. But I read 1 too many negative reviews on some of these cards. Things occurring like system lockups, cards overheating or getting permanently jammed into the slots, etc
I was hoping to get a USB card adapter that could stay inside the laptop with the cover closed. I even saw a few 2 in 1 type cars while browsing.

Can anybody recommend any good USB cards or Memory Cards or any decent Manufacturers for that matter. These cards are becoming even harder to come buy and I don't want the agony to spending $$ on some obsolete cards that will not even work with my CF-29.

Also any rec's on some external speakers. I was going to purchase some Altecs. But they require a USB port to power them!


Thanks for any type of info

Waynehdk

 

Usb gps devices will change serial com ports each time that you change the usb port location
If you plug it into the built-in usb port it will find new hardware ,and after the driver is instaled it will be set at usualy com4
Now you place the hub in the picture and plug it in one of the usb ports on the hub and it will find new hardware again, and after the driver is found is will be at a completely diferent serial com port , maybe com 5
Same thing if you change to a different usb port
I mark the location of the usb device with a felt marker so it will always have a stable com port number
Make sure that you install the most current PL-2303 driver software from Prolifics website
Look in device manager under com ports and then plug the usb gps into the usb hub and see if it adds a new com port number and report back


Alex

 

Hello Tough users

Alex - Reporting back. I still plan on delving more into this com port- USB hub issue.

So far I am using "GPSinfo" to find my Com ports and locate the GPS receiver.

When I launch "GPSinfo" it finds the GPS receiver on Com Port 4 as you would probably expect. Then I click the "Run GPS" button and the serial strings(?)
come up in the window. I click "Start gps" and then the GPS tab and in enough time I lock on some satellites .

If I unplug the receiver and relaunch "GPSinfo", Com port 4 isn't even listed.
Just 1 and 5.

I might reinstall the GPS drivers and plug in the receiver into the hub and see if COM port 4 gets recognized through the hub and run "GPSinfo" and see if it locates the device. Or perhaps I could use the "Add new hardware" feature with Windoze and direct it towards the GPS driver file, But I'm not optimistic this would work well.

In Windoze's (XP Pro)"Device Manager" only Com Port 1 and LPT 1 are listed under the "Ports" section. I looked under the other views in Device Manager
and only found LPT1 one and Com Port 1 listed.

Still would like to find some decent PCMIA cards like I mentioned last post.

Reporting back later

Waynehdk

 

Ok
Now you have to understand that the com port you see when the gps is plugged in is not a legacy port
Your 9pin serial port com 1 is always going to show in device manager , but the gps uses a usb/serial converter
Its port number will only show up when it is plugged in
That is normal
When you retry using the usb hub it will not show as com4 it will be a different number for sure

Alex

 

Hello Tough Users, Hello Alex,

Guess I was overthinking the type of problem I had.

I located where the GPS driver was hidden.

Plugged the device into the hub, Allowed "Find New Hardware" to open.

Redirected FNH to my driver. (in Windows/System32/Drivers)

No error messages. Windoze gave me the Thumbs up for my device.

Launced "GPSinfo". It recognized it on COM Port 6.

Grabbed my Sharpie and marked which plug I had my GPS plugged into.
(As per Alex's suggestion.)

So, All is good. Now I'm going to Staples and pick up those external Speakers!!
Hope they are still on sale.

Still looking for some decent PCMIA cards though. If any one could rec'd

Thank you Alex, Thank you Tough Users.

Waynehdk

 

The only consideration you have is whether the door will close or not after installing the card. It seems the only ones that will allow the door to close are the AKE brand. They use a standard NEC chipset which is good but the quality of the cards has been sketchy. They are very cheap now at under $10.00 so it may be good to be get a bunch and hope you get a few that work.

 

Yup - I can echo TTG's warning about the AKE cards; after buying 4, I wound up with 1 that still works, one that works on one port, on that worked for a while then turned into a space heater, and one that was a space heater from day one.

I found THIS ONE From DealXtreme:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24875

I've had overall good results from my purchases there; I've bought much stuff, gotten one dud (an el-cheapo iPhone battery pod that had a non-functional speaker) - the RMA process is a bit odd - You have to create a free account on their site, then access your order, then they wanted a pic of the item before they would initiate the RMA process. After that it was relatively easy; they ask that you ship it cheapest means with tracking (Priority Mail is fine) to their Florida-based drop center and a few days later they were eMailing me to complete the RMA process. They did refund return shipping on the RMA, but they also tried to to get me to accept "Store Credit" in lieu of actual refund. When I refused, they did refund my PayPal (I recommend using PayPal with any overseas purchase like this) promptly; they've eMailed me my new iPower is on its way.

mnem
Mmmhmmm... shorty...