Using PC Cards

  PC Card Types

  PC Card Blanks

  Extended PC Cards

  Installing a PC Card

  Removing a PC Card or Blank

PC Card Types

See "Specifications" for information on supported PC Cards.

NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device.

The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II card. The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC Cards. "Type" of card refers to its thickness, not its functionality.

PC Card Blanks

Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the PC Card slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no PC Card is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.

To remove the blank, see "Removing a PC Card or Blank."

Extended PC Cards

An extended PC Card (for example, a wireless network adapter) is longer than a standard PC Card and extends outside the computer. Follow these precautions when using extended PC Cards:

• Protect the exposed end of an installed card. Striking the end of the card can damage the system board.
  
  
• Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer in its carrying case.
  
  
• Install an extended card in the upper PC Card connector to allow room for a second PC Card.
  
  

Installing a PC Card

CAUTION: Before performing any of the following procedures computer, read and follow the safety instructions in your System Information Guide.

You can install a PC Card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.

PC Cards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) to indicate which end to insert 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.

To install a PC Card:

1. Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the top side of the card facing up. The latch needs to be in the "in" position before you insert the card.
   
   
2. Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector.
   
   

If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again.

The computer recognizes most PC Cards and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer's drivers, use the floppy disk or CD that came with the PC Card.

Removing a PC Card or Blank

NOTICE: Before you remove a PC Card from the computer, click the icon on the taskbar to select a card and stop it from functioning. If you do not stop the card in the configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by pulling its cable, if one is attached.

1. Press the eject button.
   
   

1	eject button

2. Push the eject button a second time.
   
   
3. Gently remove the card or blank.
   
   

1	eject button
2	PC Card

Save a blank for use when no PC Card is installed in a slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles.