We just got an old lap top computer. Does anyone know much about them? What is a PCMCIA-compatible PC card slot, Type I , Type II and Type III?
Quote from: tlhdocWe just got an old lap top computer. Does anyone know much about them? What is a PCMCIA-compatible PC card slot, Type I , Type II and Type III?
The technological evolotuion of these cards (I,II,III) higher the number more advanced they are. They are not backward compatible as far as I recall when it comes to inserting a Type I into a Type II slot, different pin connections.....
You will find different accessories in all standard.... Lan card, modems, modem/lan cards .... I think some Type III's even have small disks .......
Birol
Found this info in a CNET news brief archive: For its part, Toshiba will roll out next week the Satellite 335 and 330 series notebooks. The systems will come with a 266-MHz Pentium MMX processor, 12.1-inch display, and a 4.1GB hard disk drive for a starting price of $2,199. A model with an active-matrix display is offered for $2,499
Insight, another Internet retailer, is listing a Toshiba Satellite 330 CDS, with 266-MHz Pentium MMX processor, 32MB of memory, 3.28GB hard drive, and a 12.1-inch active matrix display for $1,915.99.
What is PCMCIA?
"Pretty Confusing. May Cause Intense Anxiety"
"People Cannot Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms."
A PCMCIA card is the same size as a stack of 4 or so credit cards. Smooth, silvery metal on top and bottom. Tiny holes in 2 rows at one end. Your laptop should have a small slot on the side with a self closing door (usually) where one or two of these can plug into it. I have a wireless network card plugged into my laptop, so I can roam the house or yard and still pester people!
The *only* difference between "Type I", "Type II" and "Type III" is the thickness of the card.
In other words, the electronics are identical, and software can't tell the difference.
A "Type I slot" just means that, to save a few pennies, the host manufacturer didn't bother to make the hole big enough for the bigger cards to plug in. (It's also a general hint that the host does not have enough battery power to run the big (relatively) power-eating rotating-disk media that usually come in Type III cards.)
However, several companies sell extender cards and/or external power supplies to let even a fat (relatively), power-guzzling Type III card plug into a narrow and power-stingy Type I slot.
Lots of info online about this. Hope that helps.
The owners manual (which I don't want to read, but may have to) says you can put 2 type I or II cards or one type III card.
We have a cable modem for our desk top system (also old). What will we need to connect both to the internet?
Thanks for your help. :)
If you want to go the cheap route, and have a cable hanging on your laptop, then here's what you'll need (other brands work well too, but I've had success using Linksys):
This plugs into the laptop: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=30&prid=100
Available here for $34: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004XRDN/002-3225209-5361652?v=glance
You'll also need a network hub. The hub will connect directly to your cable modem. The laptop and your desktop will connect to the hub. This shares your cable line. You will NOT see any reduction in speed because of this. I'm on the end of a 75' cable, and my speed is over 2MB (that's screaming). Here's the info on the hub: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=31&prid=546
The hub is $42.99 and can be bought here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000ALFEU/qid=1073530571/sr=-1/ref=sr__1_etk-add-ons/002-3225209-5361652?v=glance&s=electronics&n=658488
Network cables are available in various lengths and are readily available most anywhere that sells electronics.
If you decide you'd like to go wireless on your laptop, you'll need a different PCMCIA network card, and a different hub. The desktop would still plug into the hub, but the laptop would be connected via an RF signal, like a cordless telephone. Easy setup, a little more expensive, but worth it to me. If you'd like part numbers and links for a wireless setup, just ask.
Man, I love toys!
Quote from: 2manytoyzIf you'd like part numbers and links for a wireless setup, just ask.
Man, I love toys!
:D I am asking. Thank you very much. :D
Quote from: tlhdoc:D I am asking. Thank you very much. :D
Definitely the way to go, wireless ...
Get out your credit card, here we go...
Wireless network card for your laptop: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=542
A source for the card: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000056SSM/qid=1073536944/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1_etk-electronics/002-3225209-5361652?v=glance&s=electronics&n=172282
Wireless router to go between the cable modem and computers: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=544
Here's a source for it: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005ARK3/qid=1073536880//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl23/002-3225209-5361652?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846
The card runs $49, the router is $59. Nothing else to buy. Install the software in your laptop. Connect the router to your cable modem, plug in your desktop. It'll take a minute or two to establish the IP from your ISP. Your desktop will be ready to use. Once the router is happy, put the network card in your laptop, fire that sucker up. Viola, you'll be surfing wireless. If you add another computer or device that needs access to the net, you've got extra jacks on the router to make it happen.
I'm using those exact items. They got very good reviews. I have 2 desktops, 1 wireless laptop, and a ReplayTV box (like Tivo, but better), connected to the web.
FWIW, the prices of this equipment has REALLY dropped. I paid a lot more a couple of years ago!
2Manytoyz thank you very much. This is just what I was looking for. :)
Quote from: tlhdoc2Manytoyz thank you very much. This is just what I was looking for. :)
Tracy, Make sure the router uses encrpytion when communicating with your lan card, and it should only recognize the cards you have at home. These should be configurable settings.
Remember the perv that got caught surfing child porn by stealing innocent peoples' wireless signalls. Those will be traced to your lan and your home.
The Linksys router has all the security you'll need. You can set it up as complicated as you desire, including 128 bit encryption.
Here's more info on the Linksys website: http://www.linksys.com/splash/wirelessnotes.asp
The included software has easy to follow menus that will walk you through the options.
Thanks for all of your help. I am typing this from the lap top. It sure is a slow computer, but it is mobil.
I bought a Linksys Wireless-B-Networking kit. It included the router, wireless PC card, cable and the software. It was easy to do. I lucked out there was a $20 rebate on the kit so it cost $80 total. :)
Quote from: tlhdocThanks for all of your help. I am typing this from the lap top. It sure is a slow computer, but it is mobil.
I bought a Linksys Wireless-B-Networking kit. It included the router, wireless PC card, cable and the software. It was easy to do. I lucked out there was a $20 rebate on the kit so it cost $80 total. :)
Lucky Duck !!
Linksys is a good brand and that is cheap ! Make sure you turn encryption on :W
It is on, thanks Birol. :)
Next you have to try this Tracy. http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/ (//%22http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/%22)
I had it installed in my Compaq Presario with a 266mhz processor and although it was slow it sure did work fine!!
My new laptop screams and it works great in it. Personally I think I am all done with desktops. My new laptop has a P4 3.06Ghz processor with 1GB ram and it certainly keeps up with anything I throw at it.
Quote from: chasd60Next you have to try this Tracy. http://www.delorme.com/earthmate/
I had it installed in my Compaq Presario with a 266mhz processor and although it was slow it sure did work fine!!
If you get an Earthmate to go with the Toshiba 330 make sure you get the older serial connection version. I got one last month on eBay with Street Atlas 2003 for $65.00. Too cool!
For networking information you might also look at
Practially Networked, its a great place for information and how-to's 2Manytoyz is right, setting up the network is easy!
That was a good buy. I will have to start looking. :)
Quote from: DiplomatIf you get an Earthmate to go with the Toshiba 330 make sure you get the older serial connection version. I got one last month on eBay with Street Atlas 2003 for $65.00. Too cool!
For networking information you might also look at Practially Networked, its a great place for information and how-to's 2Manytoyz is right, setting up the network is easy!
SA2004 takes a lot more resources but did work fine, although slower than when I had SA2003. I had the serial connection but my old Compaq also had USB capability.
Do you use the Voice recognition with a headset on yours? I did with the old laptop and 2003 and still do with the new stuff.
Quote from: chasd60SA2004 takes a lot more resources but did work fine, although slower than when I had SA2003. I had the serial connection but my old Compaq also had USB capability.
Do you use the Voice recognition with a headset on yours? I did with the old laptop and 2003 and still do with the new stuff.
I haven't tried the voice recognition yet. I am still experimenting with the program. It sure sounds neat though.
Here is a new question. Where should I keep the router? Will it interfere with the cordless phone? Right now I have it sitting on my scanner, but I don't want to keep it there. :confused:
Quote from: tlhdocHere is a new question. Where should I keep the router? Will it interfere with the cordless phone? Right now I have it sitting on my scanner, but I don't want to keep it there. :confused:
My router sits in the back of the house on the top of 'main' computer desk. I found that by getting the router high as reasonably possible greatly improved performance. I have cables run to the kitchen and DD's bedroom. Our laptop has integrated wireless and a docking station. We find that we use the laptop mostly undocked while sitting on the couch. I have an iPAQ I also have a wireless card for, I use it early in the morning before going to work to sync AvantGo. I find that there are a few slow spots in the house with my current setup, sometimes just turning the computer a little will greatly improve the quality of the connection. Like many things in life my setup was not planned, it evolved, so it is not perfectly tuned. If I could plan it (and DW would give up the space) I would convert the linen closet into a data closet by installing ventilation, power, and a Linux based server. The linen closet is centrally located in our house and I think I would eliminate the slow spots in my wireless LAN.
A short answer is to place your wireless router near where you think you will mostly use the laptop. And no, it doesn't interfere with my cordless phone.
Thanks for all the help. I am going to get a shelf to put the router on and place the shelf on top of the computer desk over the cordless phone base. That is why I was wondering if the router and phone would interfere with each other. I am looking for more RAM for this computer. The book says it will take 1 chip up to a 128MB, but the only 128s I found are too expensive ($150+), so I will have to be happy with a 64MB chip for $21. So far so good with this old toy. :)
I want to thank you all again for the help you have given me. :W
I buy from Tiger Direct all the time. They have good prices. Check the following link but I would sugest checking with a site like Crutial to make sure you get ram the is compatable with your machine.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_memory.asp (//%22http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_memory.asp%22)