Dell Inspiron 3500 - Manual (Page 150)

OTP ROM cards, and ATA cards that emulate IDE hard-disk drives. The computer also can support I/O cards such as modem communication
cards, LAN cards, wireless LAN cards, SCSI cards, and sound cards.
You can install one type III or two type I or type II cards in the computer. You can also use extended PC Cards in the computer.
NOTICE: Take extra precautions if you use extended PC Cards in the computer. Extended cards are longer versions of standard PC
Cards. They fit into, and operate correctly with, the computer. However, they extend beyond the edge of the computer when
installed. If something strikes the exposed end of an installed card, the card or the system board can be damaged. Always remove an
extended PC Card before you pack the computer for traveling.
Both PC Card slots support CardBus technology. In addition, a ZV Port is available from the lower slot (slot 0). If you ordered an MPEG -2 decoder
PC Card from Dell, install it in the lower PC Card connector.
Installing PC Cards
The PC Card slot has two PC Card connectors and supports four combinations of cards:
l A single type I or type II card (using either the top or bottom PC Card connector)
l
One type I card and one type II card (using either connector)
l Two type I cards or two type II cards
l
One type III card (using the bottom connector)
The type of card refers to its thickness, not its functionality. Because a type III card is thicker than type I and type II cards, it takes up the entire PC
Card slot, although it uses only one PC Card connector.
PC Cards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) to indicate which end should be inserted into the slot. The cards are
keyed to prevent incorrect insertion. If card orientation is not clear, see the documentation that came with the card.
You can install a PC Card while the computer is running. The PC Card is automatically detected.
Unpack the card and install it by performing the following steps:
1. If necessary, remove the blank from the connector you intend to use.
2. Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the top side of the card facing up.
3. Insert the card into the slot and press in firmly until the card is completely seated in the internal PC Card connector.
If there is too much resistance when inserting the card, do not force the card. Check the card's orientation, and try again.
The computer recognizes most I/O cards and automatically loads the appropriate device driver.
If you have older modem communications software that cannot use certain IRQ settings, you must disable the serial port or infrared port to use the
software.
Removing PC Cards
To remove a PC Card, use your finger tip to flip the eject button out so that it is perpendicular to the computer. Push in the eject button to release
the card. Gently remove the PC Card.
After you have removed a PC Card or PC Cards, you should install one or both of the PC Card blanks provided with the computer to protect the
PC Card connectors.
See Installing Utilities and Drivers for information on installing or reinstalling PC Card utilities and drivers.
Configuring PC Cards
If you are using the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click
the PC Card icon to open the PC Card Properties window. For more information, check the documentation that came with your operating
system.
NOTE: Because of space considerations, you may have trouble using two PC Cards in the computer if one of them is an extended card.
Always install an extended card in the top PC Card connector.
NOTES: A PC Card is not a boot device.
"Type of card" refers to its thickness, not its functionality.
NOTE: It is important that you complete the setup of your operating system before installing a PC Card.
NOTES: If you ejected a blank or another PC Card before you inserted the PC Card, the eject button slides out when you insert the new
card. To reposition the eject button, use your fingertip to flip the button toward the front of the computer until the button is flush with the
computer casing.
If the PC Card connector was empty when you inserted a PC Card, the eject button remains flush with the computer casing during and
after insertion.