Please help with PCMCIA adapter

[jakesnake66]

I am building a computer for a truck driver who has AT&T Edge internet
service - basically a high-speed cellular dial-up plan. The modem card is a
Sony Ericsson GC82 PCMCIA modem card that fits into his laptop. The
computer I'm building him is a micro-ATX desktop unit, and I need to find a
way to make this card work with the new computer. Is there a PCMCIA cardbus
that connects to the pc via USB ports? I know there are PCI to PCMCIA
adapters, but I'd like to give him the ability to reposition the PCMCIA
modem card a bit for better reception inside his truck.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thank you,

jakesnake

 

[Curious George]

I am building a computer for a truck driver who has AT&T Edge internet
service - basically a high-speed cellular dial-up plan. The modem card is a
Sony Ericsson GC82 PCMCIA modem card that fits into his laptop. The
computer I'm building him is a micro-ATX desktop unit, and I need to find a
way to make this card work with the new computer. Is there a PCMCIA cardbus
that connects to the pc via USB ports? I know there are PCI to PCMCIA
adapters, but I'd like to give him the ability to reposition the PCMCIA
modem card a bit for better reception inside his truck.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thank you,

jakesnake

What exactly is wrong with a laptop?

 

[jakesnake66]

What exactly is wrong with a laptop?

Why are you asking this? It has nothing to do with solving my issue. If
you are just curious (as your name implies), I will tell you the several
reasons why he wants to go with a small desktop unit rather than a laptop.
However, this is not the discussion I want to have, so please don't debate
this. It's a waste of time. My problem is that I need a piece of hardware
that I've yet to be able to find. He wants a small desktop unit. Period.

1. His laptop is getting old
2. He likes to play 3D intensive games
3. He wants to use his computer as a TV/DVD player
4. He wants a larger monitor/TV

Currently, he has a 13" TV connected to his satellite TV service, which is
bulky and an inefficient use of space for the screen size. His laptop is
older, and it can't be upgraded for 3D graphics or TV functionality. For
about $1000 I'm building him a micro box with an AIW 9800Pro graphics card
(TV/DVD/3D gaming) and a 17" lcd monitor. We'll use a Logitech cordless
keyboard/mouse and a small set of 2.1 Creative speakers with a sub. The
missing piece is the internet service. AT&T does not offer the EDGE card in
internal/PCI or USB form. It's PCMCIA only. If I use an internal PCI to
PCMCIA adapter card, we cannot reposition the card to get better reception.
With his laptop, of course, he could just move around. The best solution
I've come up with is an adaptor that uses a PCI card connected via IDE cable
to a front-loaded PCMCIA cardbus. I could let the cardbus hang loose at the
end of a 24" or 36" IDE cable, which will give him *some* flexibility. The
best solution would be a high-gain antenna that would adapt to his EDGE
card, but I can't find anything compatible.

Any help appreciated.

jakesnake

 

[Curious George]

Why are you asking this?

Calm down. It wasn't exactly clear to me that what you are trying to
do/find was really worth the effort.

It has nothing to do with solving my issue. If
you are just curious (as your name implies), I will tell you the several
reasons why he wants to go with a small desktop unit rather than a laptop.
However, this is not the discussion I want to have, so please don't debate
this. It's a waste of time.

That's fine. Now that you explained a little more I can appreciate
the project goals better. The degree to which the type of box you are
building is right for the project will determine the amount of effort,
time, or money you may be willing to invest on a kludge. The more of
a customized, homebuilt solution you make this the more that may eat
away at profitability, the price differential against other solutions
and ultimately the more potential of support issues you might get
stuck with down the line. If this is a favor, you may not really want
to kill yourself on this.

That being said, I won't further debate or try to redesign you
project.

My problem is that I need a piece of hardware
that I've yet to be able to find. He wants a small desktop unit. Period.

I think what you are really looking for is a pcmcia reader that
connects to the pc via usb or FW & that has no compatibility issues
with the AT&T card. I don't think anyone makes these. Hopefull
someone else here knows a product I haven't seen.


maybe look at "PCM-CR-PC2EF 2 Slot PC Card External"
here: http://www.synchrotech.com/products/card-rw_02.html
or other options here:
http://www.synchrotech.com/products/card-rw_00.html
http://www.psism.com/reader.htm

This is very similar to one of you solutions. Frankly I don't like
that even this "external" unit uses a proprietary "ribbon cable", but
it may be fine anyway.

If you have indeed found a pcmcia reader that does connect to the ATA
bus & that isn't solely for Type I-III storage cards you could try to
install it in a 5.25" USB or FW ATA enclosure. It wouldn't add much
to the price tag. It should work but I have no idea if it really
will.

Hope this helps

 

[Curious George]

If his old laptop works, how about having him keep it as a
Router/Firewall or proxy server & connect it via crossover cable to
the new box. Seems easy & cheap to me an would use little additional
power (which may be an issue on the truck). No special kludge
required!

 

[jakesnake66]

If his old laptop works, how about having him keep it as a
Router/Firewall or proxy server & connect it via crossover cable to
the new box. Seems easy & cheap to me an would use little additional
power (which may be an issue on the truck). No special kludge
required!

I apologize for my snappy response. I'm a bit conditioned by another ng
where no matter what is asked, the response invariably will argue a
peripheral point whether than address the principle issue. I should not
have assumed the same thing here.

Now, as for your suggestions, they are good, thank you - especially this
last one. One of the main problems I face is that I can't find any of these
devices locally, which means I have to order them online, and, like you
observed, there is no way to know if they will work. I don't want to get
into a trial-and-error, buy-and-exchange loop that will kill the project in
shipping and restock fees.

Another nice solution would be a compatible high-gain external antenna, but
I've never seen a connector like that of the tiny antenna on the EDGE card.
It's a little insert, about the diameter of a toothpick.

I like providing solutions for people, but this one's getting a bit sticky.

Again, I appreciate your assistance.

jakesnake

 

[Curious George]

One of the main problems I face is that I can't find any of these
devices locally, which means I have to order them online, and, like you
observed, there is no way to know if they will work. I don't want to get
into a trial-and-error, buy-and-exchange loop that will kill the project in
shipping and restock fees.

Potentially a very real problem which was a motivator to my original
post. Sorry if it was too terse.

Another nice solution would be a compatible high-gain external antenna, but
I've never seen a connector like that of the tiny antenna on the EDGE card.
It's a little insert, about the diameter of a toothpick.

This is a good idea. You could move the antenna around instead of the
PC or reader or maybe even mount it outside the truck (and you don't
even have to bother with an external reader).

I'm really not familiar with this card. Sounds like a proprietary
connector. With some technical details and some parts rummaging you
might be able to make what you need.

I like providing solutions for people, but this one's getting a bit sticky.

Again, I appreciate your assistance.

jakesnake

No prob

Keep us updated with your success/progress on this. What you want to
do is not unreasonable and really the products _should_ exist. They
may not (or may not be readily available commodity items) only due to
profitability concerns- but this could be a niche market perfect for
someone small. Hopefully someone in this group successfully uses
exactly what you need & will write in.

In the mean time look up linux support for the card and laptop or make
sure it has windows 98SE or above. You can share the connection
without these, but they're good first steps.

 

[kony]

Another nice solution would be a compatible high-gain external antenna, but
I've never seen a connector like that of the tiny antenna on the EDGE card.
It's a little insert, about the diameter of a toothpick.

http://www.meritie.com/article/articleview/142/1/55

 

[philo]

I am building a computer for a truck driver who has AT&T Edge internet
service - basically a high-speed cellular dial-up plan. The modem card is a
Sony Ericsson GC82 PCMCIA modem card that fits into his laptop. The
computer I'm building him is a micro-ATX desktop unit, and I need to find a
way to make this card work with the new computer. Is there a PCMCIA cardbus
that connects to the pc via USB ports? I know there are PCI to PCMCIA
adapters, but I'd like to give him the ability to reposition the PCMCIA
modem card a bit for better reception inside his truck.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thank you,

jakesnake

i just did a google search
there are such devices...and the price does not look too bad either

 

[jakesnake66]

http://www.meritie.com/article/articleview/142/1/55

That looks great, thank you. I was all over their website the other day,
where they were discussing producing this antenna, but I could not find the
direct link to the product page. I will definately call them.

Thank you!

jakesnake

 

[jakesnake66]

i just did a google search
there are such devices...and the price does not look too bad either

Could you please provide a link to one that connects via USB? That would be
fantastic!
Thank you,

jakesnake

 

[philo]

is a


find a



Could you please provide a link to one that connects via USB? That would be
fantastic!
Thank you,

jakesnake

here is the first hit on google

http://www.randomsource.com/productpage.asp?un=101858&s=1


you are now on your own

 

[jakesnake66]

here is the first hit on google

http://www.randomsource.com/productpage.asp?un=101858&s=1


you are now on your own

That looks very promising. Thank you for the link. My only concern is
whether or not it will support the EDGE modem card. It specifically is
marketed for the ABSplus mass storage device. Other PCMCIA cardbus adapters
do make a distinction between supporting storage devices and communications
devices. Compatibility could be an issue.
I do appreciate your help.

jakesnake

 

[philo]

would be




That looks very promising. Thank you for the link. My only concern is
whether or not it will support the EDGE modem card. It specifically is
marketed for the ABSplus mass storage device. Other PCMCIA cardbus adapters
do make a distinction between supporting storage devices and communications
devices. Compatibility could be an issue.
I do appreciate your help.

jakesnake

ok
that i do not know

when i looked on google i think i just entered : USB to PCMCIA adaptor
there semmed to be several hits