Adding PCMCIA Cards The OmniBook PCMCIA slots are available for devices that store data and expand the “communication” capabilities of the OmniBook. The OmniBook supports two kinds of plug-in PCMCIA cards: • Data storage cards—cards that function as disks for storing data (and are therefore usually called “disks,” rather than “cards”). The lower and upper card slots support data storage cards—they’re normally called drives D and E. • Input/output (I/O) cards—cards that typically provide external connections, such as modems and network cards. The upper and lower card slots support I/O cards.
C A U T I O N Do not install Card Services or Socket Services software if it comes with your PCMCIA card. The OmniBook includes Card Services 2.1 and Socket Services 2.1, which automatically detect and set up PCMCIA cards you install in the upper and lower card slots. Different versions of this software will disrupt this support. This section shows how to ♦ Insert a PCMCIA card in the upper or lower card slot. ♦ Remove a PCMCIA card. ♦ View information about installed cards. ♦ Prepare a data storage card. ♦ Set up an I/O card. ♦ Use less memory for plug-in cards. To insert a PCMCIA card The OmniBook card slots support standard PCMCIA version 2.1 Type I, II, and III cards.
The computer automatically detects and sets up a PCMCIA card when you insert it in a card slot. C A U T I O N Do not insert or remove a plug-in card while an OmniBook floppy drive is actively reading or writing data. Wait until the floppy drive is done—otherwise, you could lose data or the OmniBook could stop responding. 1. Hold the card with its face up and its connector holes toward the card slot, then slide it into a PCMCIA slot until it won’t go any further. The door that covers the card slot automatically retracts as you insert the card. 2. When the card is fully inserted, the PCMCIA icon appears on the Status panel.
A double beep signals that the card has been recognized and is successfully configured by your computer. If you hear a single beep, or there is no beep at all, your computer has failed to recognize and configure the card. 3. Inserting a card causes the slot’s eject button to protrude from the case. You can rotate the button towards the front to make it flush with the case. 35