PC Compatible PCMCIA Card Reader FAQ

Contents
Compatible Operating Systems
Installing the Card Reader for DOS and Windows 3.x
Installing the PCM-CR-I2ID Card Reader for Windows 95/98
Installing the PCM-CR-I2IC Card Reader for Windows 95/98
Installing the PC Card Reader in Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0
Installing the PCM-CR-I2ID Card Reader for OS/2 Warp 4
Installing the PCM-CR-I2IC Card Reader for OS/2 Warp 4
My Card Reader Shows Only One Socket or Driver Letter and Not Two
Resource Requirements
IRQ 11 is not Available - Polling
Types of Memory Cards
Memory Cards in What Operating Systems
Lockup During Boot Up - DOS/Windows 3.x
Color and Resolution Problems - Windows 98 and PCM-CR-I2IC
Configuring an SRAM Card
Configuring an ATA/Flash Camera Card

Q1: What operating systems does the Synchrotech PC Card Readers function in?

In DOS 3.x or higher, Windows 3.x and 95/98, Windows NT 3.51 Service Pack 3 or higher and NT 4.0.

Q2: How do I install the PC Card Reader software for DOS and Windows 3.x?

For CardTalk: Boot to a DOS prompt. Insert the CardTalk Diskette into the A: drive and at the A:\ prompt, type 'install' and follow the instructions.

For CardWizard Pro: Go into windows and type 'a:\setup' from Program Manager on the Run command line <enter key> and follow the instructions.

On reboot, the card service lines should display two driver letters. It might go too fast so press the 'F8' key when you see 'Starting MS-DOS.' This might take more then once to catch it on time. Answer 'Y' for yes, to see each line load. Remember you are looking for Cardtalk or CardWizard Pro to give two driver letters. In both cases make sure the computer assigns a driver letter to each socket as the computer boots.

Q3: How do I install the PCM-CR-I2ID Card Reader for Windows 95/98?

Check the PCM-CR-I2ID ISA Card and locate the DataBook chipset on it. It should either be DB86072 or DB86082. Write that down. Verify that the jumper settings for the PCM-CR-I2ID ISA card are set to 240h. Download the PC300.EXE from the website and copy it to a floppy diskette. Run PCM-CR-I2ID on the diskette to extract the Windows INF file. Make sure there are no PCMCIA drivers that are loading in the CONFIG.SYS file or in Device Manager. If there are any, they must be removed. Shutdown the PC and install the PCM-CR-I2ID hardware.

Turn on the PC and when Windows loads, go to Control Panel/Add New Hardware. Select the option for manually selecting the hardware. Choose PCMCIA Socket and click on Have Disk. When prompted for a choice, select the driver that matches your DataBook chipset. Accept all changes and restart the PC. When Windows is restarted, open Control Panel/System/Device Manager. Under PCMCIA Socket, you should see the Card Reader. Double click on it and then select the Resources tab. Uncheck Use Automatic Settings and select a Basic Configuration that has a single Input/Output range and no Interrupt Request. If necessary, change the Input/Output range to 0240-024F and select Ok and accept all changes.

Once Windows is restarted, open Control Panel/PC Card (PCMCIA) and it should list (Empty) - Socket 1 and (Empty) - Socket 2, with no cards inserted. If the PC Card Wizard installation program starts, select No and Next, No and Next and then Finish. It will work properly after a restart.

Q4: How do I install the PCM-CR-I2IC Card Reader for Windows 95/98?

Windows 95:

With the PC off, install the PCM-CR-I2IC hardware. Turn on the PC. When Windows starts, it will detect the PCM-CR-I2IC and bring up a New Hardware Found dialog box. Select the option Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer and click OK. Insert the installation diskette in A: and click OK. It will then copy the related INF file to the hard drive. Windows will then prompt for the Windows 95 diskettes or CD-ROM. Insert the appropriate diskette or CD-ROM and Windows will copy the needed PCMCIA drivers. If the PC Card Wizard doesn't start go to Control Panel then PC Card (PCMCIA). Select No and Next, No and Next and then Finish. Shutdown the computer.

Windows 95B (OEM Service Release 2):

With the PC off, install the PCM-CR-I2IC hardware. Turn on the PC. When Windows starts, it will detect the PCM-CR-I2IC and bring up the Update Device Driver Wizard. Insert the installation diskette in A: and click Next. It will then copy the related INF file to the hard drive. Windows will then prompt for the Windows 95 CD-ROM. Insert the CD-ROM and Windows will copy the needed PCMCIA drivers. If the PC Card Wizard doesn't start go to Control Panel then PC Card (PCMCIA). Select No and Next, No and Next and then Finish. Shutdown the computer.

Windows 98:

With the PC off, install the PCM-CR-I2IC hardware. Turn on the PC. When Windows starts, it will detect the PCM-CR-I2IC and bring up the Add New Hardware Wizard. Insert the installation diskette in A: and click Next. Select the Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended) option and click Next. Insert the installation diskette in A:. Put a checkmark in the box next to Floppy disk drive and click Next. Windows will search for the installation INF and once it finds it, click Finish. Windows will then prompt for the Windows 95 CD-ROM. Insert the CD-ROM and Windows will copy the needed PCMCIA drivers. If the PC Card Wizard doesn't start go to Control Panel then PC Card (PCMCIA). Select No and Next, No and Next and then Finish. Shutdown the computer.

Q5: How do I install the PC Card Reader in Windows NT?

Open Control Panel/Devices. Set pcmcia status to Boot. Then reboot NT for changes to take effect.

Turn off Plug-N-Play in the BIOS for the PCM-CR-I2IC model. It is not designed for PnP operation in Windows NT 4.0

Q6: How do I install the PCM-CR-I2ID Card Reader for OS/2 Warp 4?

With the system off, install the PCM-CR-I2ID hardware. Turn the computer on and let OS/2 Warp boot. Once OS/2 has booted, double-click on the OS/2 System icon. Double-click on System Setup, then Install/Remove. Run Selective Install. When the System Configuration window opens, click on Next. Click on PCMCIA Support. Select 'DATABOOK TCIC' and choose which PCMCIA support options you desire. Click OK.

Click Next and then Next again. Enter the source drive and directory of the OS/2 installation files. For example, this could be 'D:\OS2IMAGE' and click Install. OS/2 will copy the needed files. OS/2 will prompt that it needs to be shutdown for changes to operate. Click OK and then shutdown OS/2 Warp.

After reboot, a new folder called Plug and Play for PCMCIA will show up in System Setup. The programs in the folder control the PCMCIA services.

Q7: How do I install the PCM-CR-I2IC Card Reader for OS/2 Warp 4?

With the system off, install the PCM-CR-I2IC hardware. Turn the computer on and let OS/2 Warp boot. Once OS/2 has booted, double-click on the OS/2 System icon. Double-click on System Setup, then Install/Remove. Run Selective Install. When the System Configuration window opens, click on Next. Click on PCMCIA Support. Select 'INTEL PCIC' and choose which PCMCIA support options you desire. Click OK.

Click Next and then Next again. Enter the source drive and directory of the OS/2 installation files. For example, this could be 'D:\OS2IMAGE' and click Install. OS/2 will copy the needed files. OS/2 will prompt that it needs to be shutdown for changes to operate. Click OK and then shutdown OS/2 Warp.

After reboot, a new folder called Plug and Play for PCMCIA will show up in System Setup. The programs in the folder control the PCMCIA services.

Q8: In DOS, Windows 3.x or Win 95/98 there is only one socket or letter. How do I get two?

Turn off the computer and check the power and ribbon cables for misalignment. Also, reset the ISA card and all the cables. Reboot the computer. If 2 drives still don't appear, switch the ISA card ribbon cable. Put the top ribbon cable on the bottom of the ISA card and the bottom cable on the top of the card. If this does not correct the problem, set the cables back to the original configuration.

Q9: What are the resource requirements for the PC Card Readers?

All of the PC Card Readers, except the PCM-CR-I2IC series, need an input/output of 240 and an interrupt of 11.

Q10: Interrupt 11 is being used for another device. How do I get around this?

The PCM-CR-I2ID can operate in a mode called "polling." This will allow Interrupt 11 to be used for another device. This option is not available in NT environments. The PCM-CR-I2IC automatically polls.

  • For DOS and Windows 3.x using
  • CardTalk: Edit the config.sys file and add '/SCIRQ=0' to: TMB240.SYS /IO:240 /SCIRQ=0
  • CardWizard Pro: Edit the config.sys file and add '/POLL:1' to: CS.EXE /POLL:1
  • For Windows 95/98:

Go to Device Manager, then double click on PCMCIA socket. Repeat on the ActionTec or DataBook driver and choose Resources. Uncheck Use Automatic Settings and choose Basic Configuration 2 or 3; The one that DOES NOT show an interrupt. Double click on Input/Output and set it to 0240 by clicking on the arrows. Click OK, and follow the prompts.

Q11: What kind of memory card do I have?

Each memory card configures differently on each operating system.
SRAM: Typically, there is a write protect switch and a battery lock switch located in the card.
Linear Flash: One write protect switch on it.
ATA/Flash or CameraCard: No switches located on the card.
ATA Removable Type III Hard drive: This is a thick card and has no switches on it.

Q12: Does my operating system support my memory card?

For DOS and Windows 3.x: SRAM, Linear Flash, ATA/Flash or Camera card and ATA Removable Type III hard drives work.

For Windows 95/98: SRAM, ATA/Flash or Camera card and ATA removable Type III hard drives work. There is no Linear Flash support in Windows 95/98.

For SRAM cards, two lines: 

  device=c:\windows\system\csmapper.sys
  device=c:\windows\system\carddrv.exe /slot=2

are needed in the config.sys file. This will give the SRAM card a drive letter.

For NT 3.51: Only ATA Removable Type III hard drives work. Set atdisk in Devices in NT to Boot and Start.

For NT 4.0: ATA/Flash or Camera card and ATA Removable Type III hard drives work. Set atdisk in Devices in NT to Boot and Start.

Q13: Why does my computer lock up during a DOS boot up?

See the section on Polling and IRQ 11.

Q14: Why does my color scheme and resolution change every time I boot up in Windows 98?

We've discovered that the PCM-CR-I2IC and S3 GX2 AGP chipset sometimes conflict with each other. Replacing the AGP graphics card with a PCI graphics card and the problem will disappear.

Otherwise, you can do the following. Open Control Panel/System/Device Manager and remove the Synchrotech PnP PCMCIA Card Reader (PCM-CR-I2IC) listed under PCMCIA socket. Close out of System Properties and the Control Panel. Then click Start/Run and then type c:\windows\inf\other and click Ok. Delete the Synchrotech INF that pertains to the PCM-CR-I2IC (it might be named MicrosoftPCMCIAVD.INF). Close the inf\other folder and shutdown the PC. Wait 10 seconds and boot back into Windows 98. The New Hardware Wizard will detect the Card Reader and let it load the INF from the floppy disk. After installation, open Control Panel/PC Card (PCMCIA). See if it reports (Empty) - Socket 1 and (Empty) - Socket 2. If the PC Card Wizard installation program starts, select No and Next, No and Next and then Finish. Everything should work properly after a restart.

Q15: How do I configure an SRAM card for the PCM-CR-I2ID?

For DOS and Windows 3.x:

CardTalk - Be up to version 3.16a of CardTalk available on this web site. Make sure that two driver letters are assigned to the Card Reader on boot up and access the SRAM card through one of the new driver letters.

If the card is not accessible do the following until it works.

  1. Boot with the card in the slot.
  2. If the information on the SRAM card is expendable, go to the CardTalk directory and do a 'TCERASE' and a 'TCFORMAT.' E.G. c:\cardtalk\tcerase e: then c:\cardtalk\tcformat e: Where 'e:' is the driver letter of the SRAM card. 2. Do a standard DOS format. E.G. c:\format e: Where 'e:' is the driver letter of the SRAM card.
  3. Try CardWizard Pro Card & Socket Services.

CardWizard Pro - Make sure that two driver letters are assigned to the Card Reader on boot up. Insert the SRAM card and go into Windows and run the CardWizard Pro utility in Windows. It should automatically configure the SRAM card. If the card is not accessible make sure you try both slots or reinstall or try CardTalk 3.16a.

For Windows 95:

Two lines need to be added to the config.sys file: 

    device=c:\windows\system\csmapper.sys
  device=c:\windows\system\carddrv.exe /slot=2

These lines will create two removable drive letters for using the SRAM card in 'My Computer' icon and in Windows Explorer.

For Windows NT:

Windows NT does not offer any native support for SRAM cards. Some third party Card & Socket Services software for NT might offer support.

Q16: How do I configure an ATA/Flash camera card?

For Windows 95:

With the card bay properly configured, insert the ATA/Flash card into a PCMCIA slot. A drive letter should appear automatically in the 'My Computer' icon when inserted.

If no driver letter appears, do the following:

  1. Make sure the memory card appears in PC Card (PCMCIA) in the Control Panel.
  2. See that the memory card appears listed under Hard disk controllers in the Device Manager.
  3. Go into the Resources of that memory card and uncheck Automatic settings.
  4. Choose a Basic Configuration with only 1-Interupt and 1-Input/Output with no conflicts.
  5. Change the I/O by double clicking Input/Output and clicking on the up arrows. Choose a range greater then 0120-01FF, with no conflicts.

Agree to any changes and reboot. A new driver letter should appear. If not, try again.

For Windows 95B/98:

For Windows 95B/98, follow the procedure for Windows 95. However, if you open PC Card (PCMCIA) and it doesn't recognize the card, try the following

  1. See if there is PC Card Services listed under Other Devices in the Device Manager.
  2. Go into the Resources of PC Card Services.
  3. Change the I/O by double clicking Input/Output and clicking on the up arrows. Choose a range around 000D0000-000D0FFF, with no conflicts.

Agree to any changes and reboot. It should now see the ATA/Flash card. If you still don't get a drive letter, try the Windows 95 procedure.

For Windows NT 4.0:

With the Card Reader properly configured, insert the ATA/Flash card into a PCMCIA slot. A drive letter should appear automatically in the 'My Computer' icon when inserted.

If no driver letter appears, do the following:

  1. Go to the Devices icon in the Control Panel and set pcmcia to Boot and Started.
  2. Also set atdisk to Boot and Start.

Reboot for changes to take affect.

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