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    FZ ExpressCard, USB or PCI express??

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by xavibrugal, Jul 30, 2007.

  1. xavibrugal

    xavibrugal Notebook Consultant

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    i was planing to get an eSata expresscard for some external drivers i have... i was wondering if the expresscard conects via the USB ports or the PCI exoress ports??
     
    xavibrugal, Jul 30, 2007
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  2. Hartman

    Hartman Notebook Consultant

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    I'm confused.....an Expresscard goes in the Expresscard slot...
     
    Hartman, Jul 30, 2007
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  3. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    But the Expresscard slot then connects to the computer in one of two ways, either via USB or PCI. PCI offering a much higher bandwidth.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Jul 30, 2007
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  4. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

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    On the SZ it uses USB, so it's probably the same on the FZ.
     
    bogart, Jul 30, 2007
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  5. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    Bogart,

    On the SZ does it show up in Device Manager under the enumerated list of USB devices? On the FZ, I don't see it there and there does appear to be an entry under System Devices that MIGHT be the ExpressCard slot. I am not certain of that though.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Jul 30, 2007
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  6. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, when the VGP-MCA20 memory expresscard adapter (UMH-U09) is inserted, it's listed as using one of the USB ports. Also, disabling the additional pci express ports don't have any effect on the card reader.
     
    bogart, Jul 30, 2007
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  7. jc4ho

    jc4ho Notebook Consultant

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    Don't forget that the memory expresscard adapter could be a USB-only device. Expresscard hosts are supposed to be capable of supporting both USB and PCIe interfaces, but whether the Vaios have both implemented, we still don't know. On the only hand, expresscard modules could support either interfaces as well, but it's not necessary for operation.
     
    jc4ho, Jul 30, 2007
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  8. bogart

    bogart Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, I just checked the Expresscard standard website, and it states:
    So in adherence to the standard it must also support the pci express bus. Unfortunately, I only have the memory card adapter, so I can't provide any more information.
     
    bogart, Jul 30, 2007
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  9. jc4ho

    jc4ho Notebook Consultant

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    Yup, I've looked it up before after hearing that the ExpressCard on the TZ may be routed through USB as well, and read that exact paragraph.

    However!.. PCMCIA requires expresscard hosts to be capable of supporting both USB and PCIe for the device to be "ExpressCard Compliant" to the defined standard. Doesn't mean Sony's got their computers compliant though.
     
    jc4ho, Jul 30, 2007
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  10. xavibrugal

    xavibrugal Notebook Consultant

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    any recommendations for a good eSata ExpressCard /34 card??
     
    xavibrugal, Jul 30, 2007
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