Anyone have a working ExpressCard

Hi All, I've searched through the forums here and cant seem to find an answer. I have a Dell Precision M90 and I'm on my 3rd expresscard. Right now I have an AboCom 1394b (E94B), the only one of the three that somewhat works. It works fine as long as I use "Safely Remove Hardware", if I dont my computer freezes up on start up. It's starting to be a pain in the arse removing and installing the card 3 or 4 times a day, not to mention that this cant be good for the computer or the card. I know that alot of you had the same problem and I just want to know how or if you ever got it fixed. I've tried installing updated drivers, windows hot fix, and a whole bunch of stuff with Dell tech support. Nothing seems to work. Has anyone found a card with drivers that actually works with Dell? I'm running Windows XP Pro, SP2, BIOS 05. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks for your help and time.
Mike

 

Sounds like a driver issue/conflict. Make sure that the driver for your ExpressCard slot is the most updated and works under XP. If that doesn't work (as you say is does) then look into formatting your hard drive and reinstalling the OS. If that doesn't work, you can assume it's a hardware issue and Dell should replace it.

 

I tried all that, and Dell says there is no problem with the hardware. I think I'm done with Dell garbage, I guess I'll just use it as is, installing and uninstalling the card untill something breaks. then I'll just through this thing in the trash where it belongs and buy something better like a HP or a MAC

 

Take a linux live cd and look if it work there.

 

what is a linux live cd? and how can i tell if it works there? forgive me but trying to figure all this computer stuff out is like reading french to me.
thanks for the help.

 

I know this may sound rude and all but you already gave the fix to your problem.

If using the "Safely Remove Hardware" allows you to remove the ExpressCard without have system problems then why would you try to do it any other way.

You have to remember that an ExpressCard is "Hardware". If you open up your desktop and yank out your sound card or video card while the system is still running I bet that you have some major issues with your system.

When you use the "Safely Remove Hardware" option your system shuts down the system access to the Expresscard so that so that when you remove it you system does not get all wonky. When you just straight yank it out the system is still looking for a piece of hardware and thats why your having problems.

Your not very clear in why you are removing and installing the ExpressCard 3 or 4 times a day. Why are you removing the card so much each day?

Also are you asking about ExpressCard Firewire adapters or about using Expresscards in general. Yours is the first post that I have seen where someone is having a problem with an ExpressCard

 

Thanks for the reply Jagged, Yeah, I'm talking about an ExpressCard FireWire adapter. The reason I unplug so much is that I have kids running arround here and if they see a computer on they head straight for it. I record through this computer and they know that uncle Mikes computer does some neet things. So needless to say whenever I'm done working wtih it, or if I have to run out for a minute, I shut down. I would perfer not to remove the card at all but than I cant start back up(freezes). I've tryed all the suggestions posted here to no avail. I guess there is no fix for this (yet). Do you think it's harmful to the computer to keep installing and removing the card? I think I just have to deal with the fact that this is what I have to do.

Once again, thanks to all.
Mike