Bah! After reinstalling Windows onto my laptop, PCMCIA seems to no longer work

[parkbench]

Hey there!

I recently picked up a new hard drive for my Toshiba 3005-S303 and installed Windows 2000 SP4 on it.

Unfortunately, the new Motorola PCMCIA WN825G Wireless G adapter I got doesn't seem to be getting any power.

That would seem like the adapter's fault but in addition to that, my PCMCIA Compactflash reader is no longer working either! In fact, it is now listing as a USB Mass storage device and showing up as an E: drive when it's plugged in. And when I try to access this E: it says to insert a disk (the CF card is already there so it SHOULD work but doesn't).

When I run Sisoft Sandra it shows an error that E: cannot be accessed but doesnt guide me as to what to do.

In addition, in my Device Manager, 2 PCMCIA devices are showing up and running off a Texas Instructment PCI-1420 driver, both on IRQ10. There are also 2 PCI devices listed as unknown with no driver installed, and both are also on IRQ10!

Someone please help me get my PCMCIA slots working again!

 

[AsusGuy]

I think when you install some versions of Windows it will let you do a ?mobile? configuration. Did you do this? This may help Windows in configuring your pc correctly for hardware like PCIMCA.

 

[LiLithTecH]

What is the "PC CARD" set to in the Bios?
(Auto-Selected, Card Bus/16bit, PCIC Compatible)

The 'Auto-Selected' setting normally works with Type II PC Cards.
If that does not work set it to 'Card Bus/16bit'.

You should hear a "High-Low' beep while the OS is booting if it is
configured correctly in the BIOS.

The 2 extra 'unknown PCI devices' could be PCMCIA devices from
a Port Replicator or Dock if the Laptop was ever used on one.

 

[parkbench]

I didn't do a mobile configuration; don't think I saw that option.
There is no PC Card setting in BIOS. I looked for this before (saw it on another page), it simply doesn't exist!
Also, the Laptop does not have a docking station.

Is it me, or does it seems like the computer is using the wrong drivers or something?

 

[LiLithTecH]

In the BIOS, Alt+PageUp will take you to the second Bios screen
where the setting is located.

There is an Update for PCMCIA services for WinXP on Toshiba's website.
It does not sound like that is your issue.

Do you hear the 'High-Low' beep while the OS loads?

 

[parkbench]

LiLithTech, do you have this laptop? Alt+PageUp doesn't do anything; there is no second page AFAIK. This laptop is a P3 800Mhz (or so). Maybe you've worked with newer Toshibas? When it boots up it does one loud beep, there is no high-lo. I am also using Win 2000, I hesitate at installing anything XP specific on a Win 2000 machine!

I figured out that one of the PCI devices was the Toshiba Software modem, so that means that there's 1 unknown PCI device still using IRQ 10.

Is it worth trying newer/older drivers? Newer drivers do exist; 5.1.2600 or something but I can't find them available to download. Older drivers are hard to find too... the ones at driverguide simply don't work; no pccard.vxd file in the zip for the 1420 chipset.

In any case I'm still stuck and floundering for ideas

 

[LiLithTecH]

No, I do not have this laptop but have worked on numerous Toshiba's (primarily Tecras, but also Satellites).
(by the way, I am a certified Toshiba tech - along with Dell, Compaq & HP)

I know this model originally was configured with either Win98SE or WinME.

When you installed Win2k did you install the INTEL chipset driver?
Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility for Windows 98SE/Me/2000 (10807)

Also, I was not suggesting that you install the WinXP update on your Win2k install.
Just pointing out there is an issue with WinXP, not Win2k.

A few more questions.
Does your model have the ACCU-POINT device and is it correctly installed?
(some models had them, some didn't -depending on mfg date)

What version of the BIOS are you running?

Was this an Upgrade or Clean install of Win2K?

 

[parkbench]

It was originally configured with WinME. However I had the PCMCIA working with Win2000 until the original hard drive broke down. The new install is a clean install of Win2k.

No I did not install the Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility. Can I still do that?

If the Accupoint is the mouse nub in the center of the keyboard, then yes, I have one, and it works. I didn't install anything special to get it to work, it started working as soon as I installed 2000.

The BIOS I'm running is the original. I still have the floppy drive. I'll have to hunt down a clean, blank disk if you suggest updating it.

 

[parkbench]

LiLithTecH, you are the MAN... the Chipset driver is what I was missing!

Soon as I installed it and rebooted, the PCMCIA Wireless Adapter started getting power and the CF card reader immediately started to work.

If you were a girl, I'd kiss you! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!