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Anonymous
10-05-2003, 10:29 AM
I would like to know if these are supported... any of you used any of these?

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=971157

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=954339

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=332216

thanks!!!
tony
10-05-2003, 10:39 AM
The first two are probably supported, but one never knows until you try. Perhaps somebody has already tried them in the past.

The third one is a PLX adapter and should be considered only as a last resort.

Thanks!
Anonymous
10-05-2003, 11:02 AM
What is the significance of PLX?

Thanks
tony
10-05-2003, 12:14 PM
PLX adapters are not pcmcia sockets, but rather an ISA->PCI bridge. This bridge adapter contains no PCI enhancements such as IRQ sharing, and no hotswap support.

The adapters come in both 5v and 3.3v versions, so you need to make sure you get the correct one if you are planning on using them. These adapters contain an eeprom with settings that work for most 802.11b Intersil and Lucent cards, but not for others such as WL2400 cards (though there is a version for those as well).

We have seen numerous times where the PLX adapters burn themselves out when the pcmcia card is inserted upside down, or pulled out by accident while the system was powered.

They do work, but use caution. True pcmcia sockets are much more flexible. One advantage of the PLX is that it will work on older systems where the BIOS is too old to assign an IRQ to pcmcia cardbus adapters.

Thanks!
Anonymous
10-05-2003, 12:58 PM
Ok, thanks for the explanation.

I see where htey might work when others don't, but then again, would be very unsuitable in some situations.

Just how old of hardware (m/b) are you talking about? I'm going to be using a couple of pent m/b made in 96 or so.
tony
10-05-2003, 01:00 PM
'95 and '96 systems are typically problematic with pcmcia cardbus adapters due to BIOS problems. If they do not assign an IRQ to the pcmcia socket then the PLX adapter, ISA pcmcia socket or PCI radio will need to be used.

Thanks!
lonnie
10-05-2003, 02:44 PM
Why not just get a card of each and try it out? If you are worried that you will waste your money then simply order our boards. They work quite well. :D

Even if we say a card "might" work that is still not an endorsement nor committment that it "will" work.