Dell Latitude PCMIA's failure

Additionally, other than using known good PCMIA cards, is there another method to test the slots?

It sounds like the PCMCIA card connector was damaged. Usually these can be replaced without too much trouble (they usually plug into the motherboard instead of being soldered to the board). I believe you can find parts diagrams on Dell's web site. A quick google search, or even ebay should find a replacement.

I highly recommend 3Com's "X-jack" wireless cards because the antenna is retractable. Even if you drop the laptop on its side, the spring loaded antenna just pushes into the card with no damage. Andy Cuffe

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com

First thing to do: check if your laptop supports PCMCIA (only) or CARDBUS also.

Most --but not all-- Wifi cards are Cardbus cards and will only operate in a PC that supports Cardbus. (Cardbus cards are commonly identified by a copper strip on the outside, near the connector.)

If your PC does not support Cardbus, you will need to find a (non-cardbus) Wifi PCcard.

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Kind regards,
Gerard Bok

Most of the cards say on them 3.3 volt 32 bit (CARDBUS) or

5 volt 16 bit (PCMCIA). The PCMCIA cards will work in a CARDBUS slot, but not the other way around.

The best of those is the Orinoco aka Wavelan SILVER or gold cards.

You can find an upgrade program for the Silver cards which will upgrade them to Gold. Avoid the Bronze ones.

Geoff.

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Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com  N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667  Fax ONLY: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 
Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/

Thank you for the replies!

I repaired mine after it fell on the card while it was still in the computer. The card pushed the frame into the computer-not by an obvious amount-but enough to break the connector that the frame is plugged into. It also broke a couple of the metal parts that the screws from below the MB secure to.

I removed the frame - 4 screws from below; swapped the 2 rear metal pieces from side to side and straightened some other metal parts - and carefully glued the connector on the motherboard together. the ends split so that the contacts were not making on the frame fingers. I had to look closely to see that it was split. To my surprise it worked reliably .... until the USB ports went out and I had to replace the motherboard.

good luck

Most, if not all, 3.3 v cardbus cards are keyed so that they can't be plugged into a 5v PCMCIA slot. Andy Cuffe

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com