[Ham-Computers] RE: PCMCIA vs Cardbus Device

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

No.  Cardbus is the 32-bit extension to the original 16-bit PCMCIA (aka PC Card).  Although both are physically the same, a "Cardbus" adapter requires that the slot support Cardbus (as it's a 32-bit interface).  However, Cardbus slots are usually backwards compatible with older PCMCIA adapters (with a few exceptions).

How can you tell if a computer has a Cardbus or PCMCIA slot?  On some systems, there might be a pictograph with the letters "CB" if the slot is Cardbus.  In Windows, the device manager under "PCMCIA" devices will usually list a "Cardbus" controller instead of a "PCMCIA" or "PC-Card" controller.  The system BIOS might also make the distinction.  Generally laptops made in the past few years have Cardbus slots.

How can you tell a PCMCIA card from a Cardbus card?  All Cardbus cards have a gold strip right above the pin sockets (on the top side of the card).

You and the salesperson aren't the only ones confused.  Because of all the acronyms and naming conventions, most people can't tell the difference between PCMCIA, PC-Card, Zoom-Video (ZV), Cardbus, and whatever else they wanted to call these things.

BTW, PCMCIA was just a simple extension of the original ATA bus (ISA).  Cardbus can be thought of as an extension of the PCI bus.  And, to throw another wrench into the works, the new PCI-Express extensions are called ExpressCard/54 and ExpressCard/34 - These are not backwards compatible with Cardbus/PCMCIA.  The /54 and /34 monikers refer to their width - /54 cards are "full size" (54mm) and /34 are "slim" sized (34mm).  Computers that have ExpressCard slots will have either or both sizes.  And, /34 cards will usually fit into a /54 slot as long as you have an adapter to make it a full size /54 card.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 4:45 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] PCMCIA vs Cardbus Device

Do cardbus adapters always work when plugged into a PCMCIA  port?

I just purchased a wireless adapter, which was advertized as a PCMCIA device, but the label on the device says 54mbps wireless card (Cardbus).  It works ok.  More recently, I purchased a D-Link USB 2.0 adapter.  I overlooked the word cardbus when I purchased it, and when I received it phoned the manufacturer to see if it would work.  The sales rep said yes, but first asked for the model number.  It works with an optical mouse, but have not tried anything else.

Are the two identical, or is the cardbus better in some manner?

Thanks, Jim