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General discussion

Ethernet card for laptop

Jul 20, 2004 3:13AM PDT

I just signed up for cable internet service. I've been unable to connect through USB, so the cable company (Starpower) suggested I buy an Ethernet card and try it that way. I have a laptop (Win98, I guess first edition). Can I use either a card that I have to physically install or a PCMIA card - or can I only use the PCMIA kind? If I can use either, what are the advantages/disadvantages to both?

Discussion is locked

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Re: Ethernet card for laptop
Jul 20, 2004 3:24AM PDT

If your USB didn't work, it's likely the PC_Card won't either. Here's why.

Most don't know that for such to work, the motherboard chipset drivers must be installed. Again, most don't know that installing Windows doesn't assure us that these drivers are installed. The RESTORE CDs that come with most laptops (there are exceptions) do the work for us, but for those that reinstalled the OS, that's where the trouble began.

http://www.usbman.com notes this issue and that some don't enable the USB in the BIOS. Again, something the Microsoft doesn't do for us when we install this OS.

The outlook for this one is not good yet.

Bob

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Re: Ethernet card for laptop
Jul 20, 2004 6:32AM PDT

I didn't completely follow that, it was a little technical. But my main question is, can a laptop use either type of Ethernet card, or does it only take the removable kind that goes in the PCMIA slot?

As far as USB, the problem is not the port - I use it for my Palm Pilot fine. The problem is not the drivers either - I know the drivers for the modem were successfully loaded because the modem shows up in the Device Manager under Network Adapters. The problem is that the computer is not finding an ip address for the modem.

Thanks

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My outlook is still "grim."
Jul 20, 2004 6:58AM PDT

If the USB did work, and if the IP addresses didn't work, then going to ethernet is again unlikely to solve the issue. It's just my prediction, nothing more.

I'd comment more about PCMCIA or PC-Card, but you left out the BIG CLUE that could have me nailing that down on the first response. The MAKE and MODEL of the laptop. I could then see if you have old PCMCIA or new and spiffy PC-CARD.

Bob

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Re: My outlook is still
Jul 20, 2004 7:55AM PDT

Can you explain a little about 1) why you think the outlook is grim due to my description of the situation, or 2) what you think the problem is? Maybe those are the same thing. Also, what steps (if any) can you recommend I take to resolve this?

Sorry - it's an AMS Tech TravelPro. I don't have the model number with me - but it's about 5 years old, so is that enough for you to go on?

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Re: My outlook is still
Jul 20, 2004 8:04AM PDT

The AMS Tech TravelPro 6500 has PC-Card or 32-bit PC-Card capability from what I read. You can get almost any PC-Card and it will add ethernet to the machine.

The reason I don't have a rosey outlook is that if all is as you have written, the issue is not with your machine, but can be with the cable modem or the ISP didn't enable your line.

It's too bad that you can't make them show you it working with the cable guy's laptop.

Bob

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Re: My outlook is still
Jul 20, 2004 9:41AM PDT

Thanks for all your help and patience. What is a PC-Card? Also, I was pretty sure the line is ok - the cable co says it looks great from their end. But maybe not.

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What is PC-Card.
Jul 20, 2004 9:48AM PDT
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Re: What is PC-Card.
Jul 20, 2004 11:29AM PDT

So is this a card you install or put in the pcmia slot? All I'm trying to determine is which kind (install or slip in pcmia slot) of card I need.

Thanks

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Re: What is PC-Card.
Jul 20, 2004 11:34AM PDT

I can't write that. There were very very very old laptops with 486 chips that were ONLY PCMCIA. PC-Card came out shortly after that is called 32-bit PCMCIA or any other of names.

If you get a PCMCIA card, then it will work in both PCMCIA slots and PC-Card slots.

Sorry if I have to keep the terminology just so, but if I didn't, then where would we be?

Bob

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Re: What is PC-Card.
Jul 20, 2004 12:19PM PDT

There is a misunderstanding here (I wasn't asking about the difference between pcmia and pc-card) but it doesn't seem like it's going to get cleared up. Thanks for your help.