Cardware (tm)
User Manual
1.50A
Revision History
Rev. Section Description Date
0.0 All Initial Draft 07.08.1993
1.0 All Final Draft 09 09 1993
A All Release 10/08/93
Contents
0. Proprietary Notice and Disclaimer
Overview
1.3. Before You Start...
1.3.1. System Requirements
1.4. Terminology and Key Concepts
1.5. Using Battery Operated Computers
1.5.1. Advanced Power Management
1.6. BEEPS
1.6.1. What the Beeps Mean
2. Installation
2.1. Installing CardWare
2.2. Sample CONFIG.SYS
2.3. PCDISK CONFIG.SYS Syntax
2.4. Assigning System Resources to Cardware
2.5. Disabling Cardware
2.6. Re-enabling Cardware
2.7. Removing Cardware
3. How to work with...
3.1. First-Time Insertion of a PC Card
3.1.1. Recognizing a PC Card by Type
3.1.2. Recognizing a Specific PC Card
3.1.3. Unrecognizable PC Cards
3.2. Configuring a PC Card
3.3. Installing and Using PC Cards
3.3.1. How To Register a New Card
3.3.2. Fax/Modem Cards
3.3.3. Network Adapter Cards
3.3.4. ATA Harddisk Cards
3.3.5. Memory Cards
Using SRAM Cards
Using FLASH Cards
5. Appendices
A. Using PCPREP
B. Troubleshooting
C. Frequently Asked Questions
D. Glossary
Proprietary Notice and Disclaimer
Unless otherwise noted, this document and the information herein
disclosed are the property of Award Software International,
Incorporated (Award) and Ventura Micro Incorporated (VMI). Any
person or entity to whom this document is furnished or who
otherwise has possession thereof, by acceptance agrees that it
will not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part, nor used
in any manner except to meet the purposes for which it was
delivered.
The information in this document is subject to change without
notice, and should not be considered as a commitment by Award.
Although Award will make every effort to inform users of
substantive errors, Award disclaims all liability for any loss
or damage resulting from the use of this document or any
hardware or software described herein, including without
limitation contingent, special, or incidental liability.
PC and AT are trademarks of IBM Corporation.
Flash System is trademark of Microsoft Inc.
CardWare is trademark of Award Software International, Inc. and
Ventura Micro Inc.
Copyright c by Award Software International, Inc.
Copyright c by Ventura Micro Inc.
Award Software International, Inc.
Corporate Offices
777 East Middlefield Road
Mountain View, CA 94043-4023
Tel. (415) 968-4433
Fax (415) 968-0274
1.0 Introduction
1.1. Scope of this Manual
This manual will give a brief overview of how to use Cardware.
If you need detailed information use CardWare's Online Help (see
chapter "").
1.2. About Cardware Features
Cardware is a PCMCIA rev. 2.0 compliant, software package that
provides users of PC Cards with the most complete support for
PCMCIA Platforms, Cards and Controllers.
Card Configuration - The dynamic allocation of system resources
when a card is inserted means that inserting multiple cards no
longer runs the risk of creating a resource conflict. As each
card is inserted, Cardware utilizes a user defined "priority
list" (a modem card could be installed as COM3, COM2, COM4,
COM1) looking for an available resource and installs the card to
the first unused resource.
When a card is removed from the system Cardware recognizes that
the system resources are available again for use with other
PCMCIA cards.
The user can easily define, through a Graphic User Interface,
the configuration and "priority list" that best fits their needs.
Card Drivers - No longer does PCMCIA software need to be updated
with new drivers for every new card release. By utilizing
drivers for capable of reading a PCMCIA card's CIS, Award is
able to work with any PCMCIA rev. 2.0 compliant card.
Socket Service (PCSS.EXE) - The Socket Service software can be
loaded into RAM or placed into ROM as part of the BIOS. Socket
Services has been designed to support a variety of PCMCIA
controller chips (adapters). Award plans to extend its support
to new chips as they become available.
Card Service (PCCS.EXE) - Card Services has been developed to
meet the PCMCIA promise of interoperability. Card Services
provides the "control" for Hot Swapping, assignment of system
resources and card configuration. Two generic drivers are
utilized by Card Services to recognize and install cards,
PCENABLE (Generic I/O support) and (PCDISK "Generic Storage"
support). These drivers ready the CIS information and pass the
information to Card Services for use in configuring and card in
the system. Hot Swap
cards in DOS or Windows™. In DOS, Beep tones let you know if a
card is ready for use. In Windows™, either Beep tones or Wave
files can be used to notify you that a card is ready.
Utilities - Award provides a variety of support utilities which
cover the following functionality: Formatting Memory Cards,
Partitioning Memory Cards, Reading CIS, etc. A single utility
formats SRAM and ATA cards.
1.3. Before You Start...
1.3.1. System Requirements
To properly utilize Cardware your computer must have:
An 80286 or compatible processor.
At least one PC Card socket using an Intel 82365SL PC Card
Interface Controller (PCIC), or a register-compatible controller
such as the Cirrus Logic (CL-PD6710/6720) or the Toshiba TOPIC
used in the Toshiba T1900, T4500 and T4600 computers.
At least one available IRQ level for routing status change
interrupts from the socket controller chip(s) to Cardware. At
least one additional available IRQ level is suggested for each
PC Card socket in your system to support PC Cards that use
hardware interrupts.
4K of unused memory address space in the Expansion ROM area
of your system for Cardware internal use. It is usually best to
set aside an additional 16K of memory address space in the
Expansion ROM area for each PC Card socket in your system.
Up to 100K of system RAM for use by Cardware, if all of the
components are loaded.
Microsoft DOS version 5.0 or later, or equivalent version of an
MS-DOS work-alike such as DR-DOS from Novell
Microsoft Windows version 3.1 for the display and configuration
utility (pcdisk.exe).
1.4. Terminology and Key Concepts
Several expressions are used in the following sections to
describe how Cardware recognizes and configures PC Cards so they
may be used. While the Glossary defines most of the terminology
used within this manual, there are several key concepts to
understanding how Cardware works.
System resources are system memory ranges, I/O ranges and IRQ
levels.
A device definition is a collection of system resources that the
PC Card uses once it is configured.
Cardware also records a list of associated device definitions in
the database.
1.5. Using Battery Operated Computers
PC Cards are very new technology. While more and more computers
are being designed to be PCMCIA compliant, many are not. The
idea of simply plugging in a pocket-sized card (i.e., a
FAX-modem, hard drive, etc.) without having to disassemble your
computer is catching on quickly. However, there are some
cautions. Just as you wouldn't pull the plug of your VCR while
recording a TV program, you don't want to allow the 'plug' to be
pulled on your card while it is live or hooked up to your
computer. Many of the newer battery-operated computers have power
management systems
that will let your applications software and your Cardware
system know that power is about to be turned off. If your
computer and software does not have this capability, we suggest
that you disable suspend mode while you are using your PC Cards.
1.5.1 Advanced Power Management
Many battery-operated computers have a system known as Advanced
Power Management (APM) which monitors system activity, shutting
down various components (and even the computer itself) whenever
they have been idle for a set period of time. This can make a
significant difference in the length of time you can work before
having to recharge the battery
1.6. BEEPS
Beeps (tones emitted from your computer's tiny speaker) are the
standard way of notifying you that certain events have happened.
1.6.1. What the Beeps Mean
Most of the time Cardware performs in the background without
interrupting normal system operations. In the default
configuration, Cardware uses the system speaker to signal the
recognition and configuration of PC Cards when they are
installed.
Cardware signals the insertion of a PC Card with a single beep.
When a PC Card is recognized by the generic card enabler
(pcenable.exe), a second slightly higher pitched beep is sounded.
Finally, when the recognized PC Card is configured using an
associated device definition, a third beep is sounded at an even
higher pitch.
If a recognized PC Card cannot be configured because none of the
associated device definitions are available, a two tone warning
is sounded twice. This warning is made after the initial two
beeps indicating card insertion and recognition.
2. Installation
2.1. Installing Cardware
From the DOS prompt, type in either
A:INSTALL
or
B:INSTALL ...depending on your system
After specifying a directory to instlall cardware to, you
will be asked to specify your platform. A screen similar to the
following will appear:
1) Toshiba T1900/T4500/T4600
2) Toshiba T3300
3) AST PowerExec
4) AT&T/NCR Safari
5) IBM ThinkPad 350/720/750
6) Sharp PC6700/PC6800
7) GreyStone Card Reader
8) DataBook TMB-240 Card Reader
9) GENERIC
If your laptop is not listed above, select GENERIC. GENERIC
will install socket services that are specific to your laptop.
IMPORTANT! Contact your laptops vendor to find out which of
the following applies to your laptop. The following list
describes different types of PCMCIA Controller Chipsets:
1) Toshiba's TPP163
2) Intel PCIC
3) Intel PHIC
4) DataBook DB82086
If you select GENERIC from the first chioce, you will have to
select one of the above choices. If your laptop vendor
cannot tell you what type of chipset your laptop has, then select
Intel PCIC, as most latops are 'Intel PCIC compatible'.
2.2 Sample CONFIG.SYS
Cardware files may be loaded as device drivers when your system
starts by including a 'DEVICE=' line in your CONFIG.SYS file or,
on demand by loading them from the DOS command line. The files
must be loaded as device drivers if you need support for PC
Cards that store files (i.e. static-RAM and flash memory cards,
or ATA hard drive cards). The file that provides support for
such devices (pcdisk.exe) can only be loaded from the CONFIG.SYS
file, not from the DOS command line.
If you are going to be using PC Cards most of the time, we
suggest you load the Cardware files from the CONFIG.SYS file.
Assuming the files are stored in a subdirectory called CARDWARE
on the C: drive, you should add the following lines to your
CONFIG.SYS file, in this order:
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCSS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCCS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCENABLE.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCDISK.EXE
If you have placed the Cardware files in a different
subdirectory or drive, change all of the references above to
C:\CARDWARE to the appropriate drive and subdirectory (also
known as the path). Be sure a backslash still separates the path
from the filename as shown above.
WARNING If you are using memory management software (QEMM,
386MAX, EMM386 etcetera), you MUST instruct the manager to
exclude the ROM Expansion area assigned to Cardware. Review the
MEM= entries in the [Resources] sections of the initialization
file (cardware.ini) to determine the area(s) to exclude. The
lines added to the CONFIG.SYS file should be after any entries
used to load memory managers such as Quarterdeck's QEMM,
Qualitas 386MAX or Microsoft EMM386. They MUST also be placed
after any entries which load Power Management software.
2.3. PCDISK CONFIG.SYS Syntax
Use the following syntax in your CONFIG.SYS file to load the PC
Card disk device driver.
DEVICE=[d:][path]PCDISK.EXE [/QUEUE=nn]
/QUEUE= Specifies the number of concurrent
erasures for cards that support
background erasure (1-9). This is an
optional field.
Default is: /QUEUE=1
2.4. Assigning System Resources to Cardware
In order for Cardware to operate, it must be assigned system
resources. These resources are used for configuring PC Cards so
they do not conflict with the use of system resources by other
peripherals in your system. System resources include system
memory address space, Interrupt ReQuest (IRQ) levels and I/O
address space. These system resources must be excluded from use
by other system software such as memory managers and Windows.
The Cardware initialization file (cardware.ini) has a default
[Resources] section. This section should be customized for the
host system. The defaults provided may operate without
modification. However, if you encounter any problems with PC
Card recognition or configuration, improper resource assignment
is the first item to check (see the CWINI.TXT file for more
information).
It is necessary to edit the initialization file (cardware.ini)
directly with a text-editor capable of editing ASCII files. Be
careful editing the file with a word processing program such as
WordPerfect or Microsoft Word. These programs normally do not
save files as ASCII and may damage the initialization file.
NOTE: If you are using a memory manager, you must exclude any
of the Expansion ROM area assigned to Cardware from the memory
managed by that program. This is typically done by adding a
command line argument to the DEVICE= line used to load the
memory manager in the CONFIG.SYS file. As an example, Microsoft
EMM386 requires the argument X=mmmm-nnnn, where mmmm is the
starting segment address and nnnn is the ending segment address
of the area to be excluded. See your memory manager
documentation for more in
rmation.
2.5. Disabling Cardware
To temporarily disable Cardware, follow this simple procedure:
Modify your CONFIG.SYS file using a text editor capable of
editing ASCII files without changing the format. Locate the four
DEVICE= statements:
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCSS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCCS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCENABLE.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCDISK.EXE
Insert 'REM ' at the beginning of each line. Note that there is
a space after the letters 'REM'. The case is irrelevant, but the
space is required. 'REM ' turns each of the four DEVICE= lines
into a remark line, thereby preventing the loading of your
Cardware. Remember to save the file.
2.6. Re-enabling Cardware
To re-enable Cardware, modify your CONFIG.SYS file using a text
editor capable of editing ASCII files without changing the
format. Locate the four DEVICE= statements:
REM DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCSS.EXE
REM DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCCS.EXE
REM DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCENABLE.EXE
REM DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCDISK.EXE
Delete the 'REM ' at the beginning of each line. Be sure to
remove the space after the letters 'REM'. ('REM ' turned each of
the four DEVICE= lines into a remark line, thereby preventing
the loading of your Cardware.)
2.7. Removing Cardware
Removing Cardware from your system requires the following steps:
1. Remove the following four lines from the CONFIG.SYS file:
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCSS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCCS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCENABLE.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCDISK.EXE
2. Remove (or modify) the following line from your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file:
PATH = .... C:\CARDWARE ....
(If you installed Cardware in a different directory, substitute
the name of that directory for 'CardWare').
3. Remove the [PC Card Control for Windows] section from your
WIN.INI file. (Both the section name and the line that follows.)
3. How to work with...
3.1. First-Time Insertion of a PC Card
There are three possibilities when a new PC Card is inserted for
the first-time:
1. The card is generic type of PC Card and automatically
installed by Cardware if the resources are available.
2. The card is recognized specifically and you have to register
the card and associate devices definitions.
3. The card is not recognized and there is not enough
information on the PC Card to register it for future insertions
3.1.1. Recognizing a PC Card by Type
Many, but not all, PC Cards contain information describing the
card that is readable by Cardware. One piece of information that
may be present is the type of function performed by the PC Card.
If Cardware recognizes a new PC Card as a FAX/data modem or as
an ATA hard disk, it configures the card according to device
definitions associated with these generic card types. By
default, modems are setup as the next available COM port, and
ATA hard disks are connected to the logical drive letter
assigned to the P
C Card socket where the card was inserted.
3.1.2. Recognizing a Specific PC Card
Some PC Cards do not include the necessary information to
recognize them by the type of function they perform. However,
these cards may often be recognizable by other information that
is readable by CardWare. These cards must be uniquely recognized
by Cardware.
If you enter the necessary definition and configuration
information using the card display and configuration utility
(pccard.exe), that card can be automatically configured the next
time it is inserted (assuming your system has the necessary
resources available at that time).
3.1.3. Unrecognizable PC Cards
Some PC Cards (which are not PCMCIA compliant) cannot be
automatically recognized because there is not enough information
on the card to act as a unique identifier. If you know what the
card is and what it requires to operate successfully on your
system, you may enter the necessary definition and configuration
information by editing CARDWARE.INI. See the file CWINI.TXT for
more information. Although that card can not be automatically
configured when you next insert it, you can always reenter the
necessary information each time.
3.2. Configuring a PC Card
Even if a PC Card is recognized, it might not be possible to
configure the card. This occurs if system resources described in
the associated device definitions are not available when the PC
Card is inserted. This usually indicates the resources described
in the device definition(s) are currently in use by another PC
Card or system peripheral.
As an example, imagine a FAX/Modem PC Card is inserted that has
been associated with the device definitions COM1 and COM2. If
the system already has a COM1 device installed on the
motherboard and another PC Card in a different socket that is
configured as COM2, the newly inserted card cannot be configured.
However, you may change its definition to use COM3 or COM4 (if
you can do so on your system) by editing the CARDWARE.INI file.
See CWINI.TXT file for more information. Or, you may remove the
mouse or modem board already installed to make COM1 or COM2
available to the PC Card.
3.3. Installing and Using PC Cards
3.3.1. How To Register a New Card
Many PC Cards are now compliant and can be automatically
registered and configured when you insert them in the socket.
But others, especially the cards manufactured earlier, do not
contain this information. Many of this cards can be handled by
Cardware - with your help.
Here you will learn how to create a new card definition (so that
the next time the card is inserted it will be automatically
configured).
Not all PC Cards can be handled successfully in this manner. If
you have a card that just won't work, it can probably be updated
to the current PCMCIA guidelines by the card manufacturer.
NOTE: Please see also the CARDINFO.TXT file for the latest
information about several PC Cards and their recommended
settings.
Registering and Configuring a PC Card is a 8 step procedure in
Windows™:
1. When you first insert the PC Card , PC Card Control for
Windows informs you (via a message window) what has happened and
what it needs you to do. Usually the card is recognized and the
message, "A card definition has been added ..." is displayed.
You are asked to Choose Edit from the Cards menu item after
choosing the OK button of this message window.
2. The 'Initial Display Dialog Box' appears. There are four
menu items on the menu bar at the top of the box. Choose Cards.
From the drop down menu choose Edit.
3. The 'Edit Card dialog box' appears. Here you will associate
the necessary device definition(s) with your PC Card. At the top
of the dialog box are two information fields:
Card: This is the name of the PC Card that Cardware found in
the card.
Type: This is the type of card (e.g. Network Adapter, Serial
Port)
Across the center of the Edit Card dialog box are the Defined
list box and the Associated list box separated by the Include
and Remove command buttons.
4. Select the card you have inserted from the Card field by
choosing Card and selecting form the pull down menu.
5. Select the type of card from the Type field.
6. Move the defined devices from the defined (left) box to the
Associated (right) box to associate these devices with your
card. (Double clicking on a device in one box moves it to the
other box.)
7. Choose the OK button (bottom left corner of the Edit Card
dialog box).
You are now back at the initial display dialog box. Typically ,
when you have reconfigured something you would have to reboot
or, with the cards, remove the card and reinsert it in a socket.
However Cardware has a little helper called Reconfigure. If you
have more than one socket, select the socket you wish to
reconfigure.
8. Select Cards from the Initial Display dialog box menu bar.
The Cards menu drops down. Choose Reconfigure.
9. If the required resources are available, your card will be
configured and will be ready to go.In the line above the socket
you can see the name of the card and in the line below the
socket you can see the configuration use.
Next time you want to use this card, just plug it in and it
plays.
10. If the required resources are not available you will see the
message window shown at left. Please check the Associations with
the card. If you have no matching devices available, you have
the possibility to create new devices (see section ").
11. Check also whether the resources are in use by another card
or whether you have no resources defined in the [Resources]
section of CARDWARE.INI (see section ").
3.3.2. Fax/Modem Cards
A modem card can be inserted into the PC Card Slot either before
or after turning on your system. If you insert the modem card
before turning your system ON, you will hear three beeps at the
end of the POST messages signifying that the card has been
successfully installed and is now active. If the card is
inserted at the DOS prompt, the system will also sound three
beeps on successful recognition. Use the DOSCARD.EXE command to
determine the device used.
Your modem PC Card will be automatically recognized and
installed as a modem if it has a valid CIS which conforms to the
PCMCIA Committee's Standard rev 2.0. If your CIS is not valid,
or has been damaged, the card cannot be configured by Cardware.
NOTE: If your modem is a generic modem, it will not appear in
the Cardlist when you choose the Cards Edit command.
If you want to change the configuration for a generic modem edit
the associations for the 'Generic Modem' card.
When a specific modem card is inserted for the first time,
Cardware will prompt you to assign the resources that will be
associated with the card. These resources are the COM ports to
which the card will be automatically configured when you insert
the card in the future (see chapter "" for a step by step sample
procedure). The order in which you choose the resources, will be
the order that Cardware will attempt to dynamically configure
the card. For example, if you assigned COM1, COM4 and COM3, when
the c
ard is inserted the software will attempt to first configure the
card as COM1. If COM1 was being used by another device (mouse,
printer, etc.), then the software will next attempt to configure
the card as COM 4. Hence, there will never be a resource
allocation conflict between devices as can happen with ISA cards.
NOTE: All of the 3rd party fax and telecommunication programs
being sold today are unable to detect the difference between an
ISA BUS modem and a modem PC Card. Hence, you should insert your
modem prior to running any 3rd party fax or telecommunication
software. Hot Swapping of PC Cards during the operation of a
telecommunication software package (i.e. replacing the modem
with a different type of card) is not recommended.
3.3.3. Network Adapter Cards
A LAN card can be inserted into the PC Card Slot either before
or after turning on your system. If you insert the LAN card
before turning your system ON, you will hear three beeps at the
end of the POST messages signifying that the card has been
successfully installed and is now active. If the card is
inserted at the DOS prompt, the system will sound three beeps on
successful recognition.
An important point if you plan to run LAN cards while in Windows
is that, due to the manner in which Windows allocates and
recognizes resources, the LAN card must be inserted before
Windows is loaded. Also, depending on the type of network
software you are using, the network software must be running
prior to Windows being loaded. This will allow Windows to
recognize the availability of a LAN and reserve the resources.
NOTE: Since none of the current network software is designed to
support PC Card Hot Swapping, you must NEVER remove the LAN card
while connected to the network.
When connected to the network, logout prior to removing the card
from the socket.
LAN cards are configured as ISA BUS LAN adapters, thus allowing
PC Card LAN adapters to be used with existing network driver
software. Your LAN PC Card will be automatically recognized and
installed as a LAN if it has a valid CIS that conforms to the
PCMCIA Committee's Standard rev 2.0. If your CIS is not valid,
or has been damaged, the card cannot be configured by Cardware.
When a LAN card is inserted for the first time, Cardware will
prompt you to assign the resources that will be associated with
the card. These resources are the LAN configurations to which
the card will be automatically configured when the card is
inserted in the future (see chapter "" for a step by step sample
procedure).
The order in which you choose the resources, will be the order
that Cardware will attempt to dynamically configure the card.
For example, if you assigned LAN1, LAN3 and LAN2, when the card
is inserted the software will attempt to first configure the
card as LAN1. If LAN1 was being used by another device (perhaps
by another LAN adapter), then the software will next attempt to
configure the card as LAN3. Hence, there will never be a
resource allocation conflict between devices as it can happen
with ISA cards
.
3.3.4. ATA Hard Disk Cards
An ATA Harddisk card can be inserted into the PC Card Slot
either before or after turning on your system. If you insert the
ATA card before turning your system ON, you will hear three
beeps at the end of the POST messages signifying that the card
has been successfully installed and is now active. If the card
is inserted at the DOS prompt, the system will also sound three
beeps on successful recognition. Use the DOSCARD.EXE command to
determine the device used.
Your ATA PC Card will be automatically recognized and installed
as a Harddisk drive if it has a valid CIS which conforms to the
PCMCIA Committee's Standard rev 2.0. If your CIS is not valid,
or has been damaged, the card cannot be configured by Cardware.
NOTE: If your ATA drive is a generic drive, it will not appear
in the Cardlist when you choose the Cards Edit command.
If you want to change the configuration for a generic drive
edit, the associations for the 'Generic ATA Disk' card.
When a specific ATA card is inserted for the first time,
Cardware will prompt you to assign the resources that will be
associated with the card. These resources are the I/O ports
and/or Memory range to which the card will be automatically
configured when you insert the card in the future (see chapter
"" for a step by step sample procedure). The order in which you
choose the resources, will be the order that Cardware will
attempt to dynamically configure the card.
NOTE: If your drive is not already partitioned and formatted you
must use the PCPREP utility (see Appendix "") before you can use
your drive.
3.3.5. Memory Cards
A Memory card can be inserted into the PC Card Slot either
before or after turning on your system. If you insert the Memory
card before turning your system ON, you will hear three beeps at
the end of the POST messages signifying that the card has been
successfully installed and is now active. If the card is
inserted at the DOS prompt, the system will also sound three
beeps on successful recognition. Use the DOSCARD.EXE command to
determine the device used.
Using SRAM Cards
You can use a SRAM card in the same way you use Diskettes.
NOTE: If your SRAM card is not already formatted you must use
the PCPREP utility (see Appendix "") or the FORMAT command
before you can copy files to your Memory card. You can also use
the Windows File Manager for Formatting and Copying.
Using FLASH Cards
If you want to use FLASH Memory cards you have to use the
Microsoft Flash-File-System II (FFS II). The FFS II is not part
of the CardWare package and must be purchased separately from
Microsoft.
If you already have the FFS II, install the MS--FLASH.SYS driver
after PCDISK.EXE in your CONFIG.SYS (see also chapter ""). Your
CONFIG.SYS should look like this:
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCSS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCCS.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCENABLE.EXE
DEVICE = C:\CARDWARE\PCDISK.EXE
DEVICE = C:\MSTOOLS\MS-FLASH.SYS
If your FLASH card is already formatted you can use it in the
same way you are using Diskettes. The procedure for Copying and
Deleting files on a FLASH card is the same as with a SRAM card.
You can also use the Windows File-Manager.
NOTE: If your FLASH card is not already formatted you must use
the MEMCARD utility that comes with your Flash-File-System for
Partitioning and Formatting your FLASH card (Consult the MEMCARD
manual for further information). You can not use the DOS FORMAT
command or the PCPREP utility for this purpose.
A. Using PCPREP
PCPrep is a DOS utility that partitions and formats of SRAM
cards and ATA hard disk cards as standard DOS partitions.
PCPrep can not be used on FLASH cards. For FLASH cards you have
to use special utilities which come with your Flash File System
(e.g. MEMCARD.EXE for Microsoft's FFS-II)
If you have a clean unformatted SRAM or ATA Harddisk card you
must prepare those cards for use with your system.
Following is a step by step description.
This example assumes the drive letter E: is assigned to the
slot. If you do not know which drive letter is assigned to the
slot, use the DOSCARD utility to determine the drive letter
assigned.
1. Insert the card in the slot.
2. Type 'PCPREP E:'.
3. PCPrep now starts to prepare your card. You must not format
your card with a FORMAT command after executing PCPrep.
4. Your card is now ready for use in your system.
NOTE: If your system requires an ATA Harddisk drive to be
formatted like a floppy disk (without partition table), you can
use the '/F' switch (e.g. 'PCPREP E: /F').
Please notice that it is not recommended to use this switch for
normal operation.
Troubleshooting
Occasionally troubles occur with new software because of
incompatibility with your system's BIOS. We recommend that you
confirm that you have the latest system software. Many portable
computers have the BIOS in flash memory which can be easily
updated. Most portable computer manufacturers provide special
BBS support which allows you to down-load an updated BIOS via
telephone. PC Card support is an evolving area and some systems
have better support in newer BIOS software. Older BIOS software
with limited PC
Card support may interfere with Cardware. In most cases,
updating your BIOS to the latest release will reduce the
potential for problems.
PC Card Control is included to enable confirmation of automatic
configuration being performed, and to allow editing of system
resources (i.e., [Cards] and [Associations] ) and Communications
( [Devices] ) sections of CARDWARE.INI .
If Socket Services is loaded into a system that already has
another socket services installed, a warning message is
displayed. Socket Services continues initializing all other
hardware, but does not disturb the previous socket settings.
If your system hangs immediately after Socket Services is loaded
during CONFIG.SYS file processing, or if your system begins to
behave erratically (i.e., beeping, etc.), power-off and restart
as a cold boot.
If the PC Card in the socket is a non-memory card (e.g., modem
or LAN adapter), any attempt to read/write data in a file format
will return an error. HOWEVER, if an ATA card is loaded when a
MemCard Erase (a function of MS-Flash) is issued, no invalid
media message is received, and the card is totally erased.
Mouse Driver Interference
When movement of the mouse is erratic or interferes with PC Card
activity, this is usually caused by assigning the card to the
COM port corresponding to the mouse's COM port (e.g. COM1 and
COM3, or COM2 and COM4).
Windows for Work Groups will not run.
Delete any multiple copies of the BWCC.DLL and CPALETTE.DLL
files which may reside in the WINDOWS subdirectory. These files
are provided with Cardware and may cause conflicts in systems
that are running Windows for Work Groups
PC Card Control does not notify you of low or Dead battery
For 'low' or 'dead battery' beep warning to function, it must be
enabled under the Options- Edit Event Notification menu bar of
Card Control's panel. Also make sure your speaker is not turned
off.
Not Ready Reading Drive DOS Error (Reading a Flash Card)
Check to see if your Flash Card has been formatted. Is the Flash
File System device driver in your CONFIG.SYS? The Flash Card may
be damaged. Consult your card documentation.
No Beeps
Remove the card from the socket and make a visual inspection of
the card and socket rails to insure that there isn't anything
that could obstruct a connection. If so remove it and reinsert
card FIRMLY. Notebook specific software of the notebook may be
disabling the speaker. Check the README.TXT file for system
specific information.
No Beeps in Windows but Beeps in DOS
Open Options -Edit Event Notifications Menu in Card Control and
confirm that Beeps are activated. Notebook specific software on
the notebook may be disabling the speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
My system works fine when I first turn it on, but if I restart
it by pressing the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys at the same time,
my PC Cards don't seem to work properly.
Some computer systems do not reset the PC Card socket controller
when they are restarted using the Ctrl-Alt-Delete key sequence.
Any configured PC Cards installed when the system is restarted
may be incorrectly sensed by the system's BIOS to be peripherals
that reside on the motherboard or in an adapter board installed
in an expansion bus. The BIOS then believes it should handle the
operation of these peripherals creating a conflict with the
Cardware software.
This situation may often be corrected by updating the system's
BIOS. Often, when a computer manufacturer realizes the problem
failing to reset the socket controller hardware causes, they
typically release a BIOS update that fixes this problem. Until
an updated BIOS is available, there are two possible solutions:
1. remove all installed PC Cards before restarting your systems
with the Ctrl-Alt-Delete key sequence, or
2. only restart your system by cycling the power OFF and then
back ON.
What CIS information is used by Cardware to recognize the card?
Four pieces of information are used and are stored in the
following tuples: Manufacture ID, Function ID, Level 1
Version/Product Information tuple (two pieces of Information are
used from this tuple: Manufacturer's Name and Product String).
What target platforms does the software work with currently?
AST PowerExec, Toshiba T1900, T4500 & T4600, Dell 320SLi,
AT&T/NCR Safari are currently supported.
Do you support Type III cards?
Cardware supports Type III PCMCIA ATA drives.
What PCMCIA-compliant controller chips do you support? What are
your future plans for support?
Currently we support the Intel 82365SL (PCIC), Toshiba Topic and
Cirrus Logic 6710/6720. In testing, we currently have Socket
Services for the Intel PHIC and Toshiba TPP163. The Vadem VG465
is a register compatible part to the Intel 82365SL and should
work with our Intel PCIC Socket Service. However, we have not
(as of this writing) tested the Vadem VG465 with our software.
Our next series of Socket Service support includes plans to
provide software for the DataBook and TI families of
PCMCIA-compatible parts. Other vendors' parts are under
consideration at this time for future releases.
How do you deal with a non-PCMCIA compliant card?
On card insertion, an end user will be notified that the
information required to configure the card is not available, or
cannot be read by the software. Only a single beep tone will
occur indicating that the inserted card is not recognized by the
software.
How is hot swapping of cards handled?
An interrupt is generated by the system on insertion and removal
of a PC Card, . This interrupt is used to either flag that the
card needs to be registered as a client or de-registered.
Can you boot from a PC Card?
The current PCMCIA specifications do not provide for booting
from PC Cards. However the PCMCIA committee is working to define
a methodology which allows the DOS file structure to be read
from a PC Card during boot.
Why isn't support for booting included in current platforms?
What part of Socket Services must be included in the BIOS?
The PCMCIA software specifications are new enough so that in
many cases the system vendors have not included the 4K of Socket
Service support code in their current BIOS. Eventually, we
expect that all 4K of Socket Service code will migrate into part
of the system BIOS. It is reasonable to expect that system
vendors will delay integrating the Socket Service code into the
BIOS until such time as it is possible to boot a system from a
PC Card and to execute a program from a PC Memory Card.
What file formats do you support with memory cards?
Currently we are supporting DOS FAT and Flash File System II.
Our future plans include support for the SCM and M-Systems file
formats.
How are you going to support new cards as they are released?
For a card to be PCMCIA 2.01 compliant, it must have a
validCard Information Structure (CIS). As our software uses the
CIS information to configure the card, any card which is PCMCIA
compliant will automatically be recognized and supported by our
software.
In addition, AWARD/VMI has established a Card Review Program
designed to promote the review and testing of card
manufacturers' CIS with Cardware.
How do you update the CARDWARE.INI file? What is the information
format so that I ( anend-user) can modify it or troubleshoot it?
When a card is inserted for the first time, the end user is
prompted for how he/she would like to configure the use of the
card. This configuration information is stored in the
CARDWARE.INI file. An end user can modify this file through the
use of a text editor program.
How do I get Windows to recognize that a modem or LAN card has
been installed so that I can use it with my application
software. Specifically, how do I get COM (etc.) ports to be
recognized as active?
When Windows loads, it performs a hardware detection. Hence, a
COM port card MUST be inserted in the system before Windows is
loaded so that the COM port 'X' will be recognized as active.
After Windows is launched, you can remove and insert cards as
desired.
Glossary
Adapter
The hardware which connects a computer bus to PC Card
sockets.
Also: Certain PC Cards are commonly called adapters.
Associated
The description of the relationship between a device
definition and a card definition. Cardware uses associated
device definitions to determine how to configure a PC Card with
the appropriate system resources .
ATA
Acronym for AT Attachment specification. The industry
standard for interfacing to hard drives with Integrated Drive
Electronics (IDE)
Card
A PCMCIA-compliant card. Also known as a PC Card .
Card Definition
Card Definitions are used by Cardware to determine how to
configure a PC Card . A definition includes a card name,
information from the Card Information Structure (CIS) that is
used to recognize the card when it is inserted, and a list of
associated device definitions
Card Type
The type of function performed by a PC Card . Examples are:
ATA hard drive, Network Adapter, Parallel Port, Serial Port and
Other.
Configure
The act of programming a socket and PC Card for use in a
system. When a PC Card is inserted, Cardware uses a card
definition to recognize the card. Once a card is recognized,
associated device definitions are used to determine the system
resource required and how the card is configured.
Device
A term applied to a peripheral in a computer system.
Examples are hard drives, serial ports and network adapters.
Devices require system resources to perform the function they
provide.
Device Definition
A device definition is a collection of system resources that
a PC Card uses when it is configured by Cardware.
Device Type
The card type the device definition is intended to support.
Card definitions may only be associated with device definitions
of the same type. Different device types use different
combinations of system resources .
IDE
Acronym for Integrated Drive Electronics. Used to describe
hard drives with an on-board controller. The interface to the
controller is described in the ATA specification.
Generic
PC Cards may contain information that allows Cardware to
determine the type of functionality they perform. If this
information is available, Cardware does not require that a
specific card definition be developed to allow the card to be
used. Instead, Cardware configures the card based upon a generic
card definition appropriate to the card's type. Generic card
recognition greatly reduces the number of specific card
definitions required and allows a class of devices to be handled
in a standard manner with
automatic configuration from the first insertion.
Currently, Cardware recognizes two types of cards
generically. These are ATA hard drives and serial ports. All PC
Cards recognized as ATA drives are automatically configured by
Cardware using the device definitions associated with the ATA
Drive card definition.
A number of PC Cards use a serial port interface. These
cards include FAX/Data modems and GPS receivers. If Cardware
detects the insertion of a FAX/Data modem, and the card has
information identifying it as a serial port, Cardware uses the
device definitions associated with the Generic Modem card
definition to configure the PC Card.
GPS
Acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS is a navigational
system using satellites. GPS receivers may be implemented as PC
Cards . GPS PC Cards are typically built using a Serial Port for
an interface.
Hot Spot
An area on the display screen where clicking with a mouse
results in moving to another area of the help file. The cursor
changes from an arrow to a small hand when positioned over a hot
spot.
Hot Swap
Inserting a PC Card in the socket while the computer is on
is called Hot Swapping. To insert a modem into the expansion
channel bus inside your computer requires you to turn off the
power (among other things). With most PC Cards, you plug them in
and play them, - the HOT SWAP.
Interrupts
Interrupts are used to get the system's attention. If a PC
Card generates interrupts, Cardware configures the card socket
to route the card's interrupt signal to an available Interrupt
ReQuest (IRQ) level in the system.
See also: System Resources
I/O Ports
Ports have a port number, or address, and are used to pass
information to and from peripheral devices. Port address space
is separate from memory address space. Cardware configures PC
Cards with I/O ports to use unoccupied port address space.
See also: System Resources
Memory
Memory is the place used to store information while it is
being worked on. Computer memory is organized as a number on
individual locations each identified by an address. Memory
address space is all of the locations each identified by an
address. The memory address space is often much larger than the
actual amount of memory available to store information. Cardware
configures PC Cards to use the unoccupied address space in what
DOS refers to as the upper memory area.
See also: System Resources
PC Card
Term used to describe cards compliant with the PCMCIA PC
Card Standard. About the size of a credit card, but varying in
thickness, they plug into a 68-pin socket to expand the
capability of your system. PC Cards can add additional storage
using memory devices or ATA hard drives. Other types of cards
are specialized devices, like modems, network adapters or GPS
receivers. Some cards are actually interfaces through which your
system can access additional devices .
PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association has
created and documented a series of specifications to allow you
to plug in and use almost any compliant PC Card.
The new age of, ... Plug it in - it WORKS!
Recognized
For Cardware, recognized means the a PC Card may be
identified when it is inserted. A PC Card must be recognized
before it can be configured using an associated device
definition .
Socket
The 68-pin receptacle into which the PC Card is inserted to
make physical and electrical connection to the PC Card adapter.
System Resources
A system interacts with its world through three resources:
Memory, interrupts and I/O ports . Device definitions describe
the set of resources used by a PC Card once it is configured .
Tuple
Significant Card Information Structure Tuples are special
fields in the internal memory of certain PC Cards. These tuples
describe the configurable characteristics of Memory-Only and I/O
Cards.
WAV Files
A WAV file is a file of digitized sound (like on a CD).
Because the extention of the file name (the three characters
following the period in the file name) is .WAV (e.g. SOUNDS.WAV)
these segments of sound have become known as WAV files. These
can be purchased on computer CDs and played through special
equipment which can be installed in your computer. More and more
computers are being manufactured with this hardware built in. If
your computer is so equipped, PC Card Control for Windows gives
you the option of playing a WAV file you have selected when it notifies you
of an Event.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.