Resolving PCMCIA Device Recognition Difficulties in Windows 95


This document contains instructions on removing and properly re-installing the Cirrus Logic PCIC compatible PCI to PCMCIA bridge. This eliminates conflicts when adding or using PCMCIA devices such as modems, network adapters, etc. This document assumes that the 3 ½ inch floppy is A:, the hard drive is C:, and the CD-ROM drive is D:.
To avoid any additional difficulties during this process, remove all PCMCIA cards from the portable's PCMCIA slots.

Removing the red X from the Cirrus Logic PCIC compatible PCI to PCMCIA bridge

A red X over a setting in the Device Manager indicates that the specified device is not properly installed, is conflicting with something else on the computer, is disabled, or is not functioning as expected. Removing the red X from the device allows Windows 95 to properly identify the device when it starts.

  1. At the Windows 95 Desktop screen, right click the My Computer icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click the word Properties on the menu that appears on the screen.
  2. Across the top of the System Properties window are four tabs: General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, and Performance. Click the Device Manager tab to view this information.
  3. In the list of hardware displayed on the screen, double click PCMCIA Socket to display the devices beneath this. Click the Cirrus Logic PCIC compatible PCI to PCMCIA bridge setting to highlight it. Click the Properties button at the bottom of this window to view the information.
  4. Across the top of the Cirrus Logic window are three tabs: General, Driver, and Resources. The General tab appears as the default tab. Toward the bottom of the window, in the section labeled Device Usage, click Disable in this hardware profile to remove the check mark (Ö). Click the OK button at the bottom of the window.
  5. The Cirrus Logic Compatible window appears. Click the OK button on the screen to continue. The Welcome to the PC Card (PCMCIA) Wizard window appears. This window prompts you to allow Windows 95 to search the CD-ROM drive for the drivers for the PCMCIA socket. Make sure No is selected and click the Next button at the bottom of the window.
  6. A PC Card (PCMCIA) Wizard window appears. This window prompts you to review the system files and select real mode PC card drivers for Windows 95 to disable. Make sure No is bulleted, then click the Next button at the bottom of the window. A second PC Card (PCMCIA) Wizard window appears stating that Windows 95 will remove any real mode drivers and load 32 bit drivers for the PCMCIA card services. Click the Finish button to complete the installation.
  7. At the System Setting Change window, a message appears prompting you to shut down Windows 95. Click the Yes button to shut down Windows 95. If the message "It is safe to turn off your computer" appears, use the On/Off switch to turn off the portable. Otherwise the portable is already powered off. Use the ON/Off switch to start the computer and return to the Windows 95 desktop.
  8. At the Windows 95 Desktop screen, right click the My Computer icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click the word Properties on the menu that appears on the screen.
  9. Across the top of the System Properties window are four tabs: General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, and Performance. Click the Device Manager tab to view this information.
  10. In the list of hardware displayed on the screen, double click PCMCIA Socket to display the devices beneath this. Click the Cirrus Logic PCIC compatible PCI to PCMCIA bridge setting to highlight it. Click the Properties button at the bottom of this window to view the information.
  11. Click the Driver tab at the top of the Cirrus Logic window. Click the Update Driver button in the lower right hand corner of the window. The Update Device Driver Wizard appears. The first screen prompts you to allow Windows 95 to search the drives on the computer for the specified driver files. Make sure Yes is selected and click the Next button at the bottom of the screen to continue.
  12. Insert the Windows 95 CD in the CD-ROM drive. The Update Device Driver Wizard window prompts for the location of the files. Click the Other Location button in the bottom center of the window. The Select Other Location window appears. In the Copy manufacturer's files from: box, type: d:\drivers\pcmcia\inf and click the OK button at the bottom of the window. Click the OK button at the bottom of the Select Other Location window to continue. The Update Device Driver Wizard window appears again with the PCI bridge displayed. Click the Finish button at the bottom of the window.

    Note: Do not place any PCMCIA cards in the PCMCIA slots when powering up the computer and booting into Windows 95. This allows you to make sure the drivers installed correctly.

If a yellow question mark appears beside a PCMCIA card(s) in the Other Devices section of the Device Manager

A yellow question mark beside a PCMCIA card in the Other Devices section of the Device Manager indicates that an incorrect setting or conflict is present. This can happen when Windows 95 detects a PCMCIA card of any type and the Cancel button is selected. Removing the device allows Windows 95 to properly recognized the PCMCIA device. This symptom primarily appears on the Gateway 2100 and 2200 Solo series computers.

  1. At the Windows 95 Desktop screen, right click the My Computer icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click the word Properties on the menu that appears on the screen.
  2. Across the top of the System Properties window are four tabs: General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, and Performance. Click the Device Manager tab to view this information.
  3. In the list of hardware at the bottom of the screen, click the + symbol beside Other Devices to display the devices beneath this. Click the PCMCIA Card Services setting to highlight it. Click the Properties button at the bottom of this window to view the information.
  4. Across the top of the PCMCIA Card Service window are three tabs: General, Driver, and Resources. Click the Driver tab to view the information, then click the Update Driver button in the lower right hand corner of the window.
  5. The Update Device Driver Wizard appears. Make sure the Yes option is selected so Windows 95 searches the drives on the computer for the specified driver files. Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen to continue.
  6. Insert the Windows 95 CD disc in the CD-ROM drive. The Update Device Driver Wizard window prompts for the location of the files. Click the Other Location button in the bottom center of the window. The Select Other Location window appears. In the Copy manufacturer's files from: box, type: d:\drivers\pcmcia\inf and click the OK button at the bottom of the window. Click the OK button at the bottom of the Select Other Location window to continue. The Update Device Driver Wizard window appears again with the PCMCIA Card Services displayed. Click the Finish button at the bottom of the window.
  7. At the System Setting Change window, a message appears prompting you to restart Windows 95. Click the Yes button to restart Windows 95.

    Note: Do not place any PCMCIA cards in the PCMCIA slots when restarting Windows 95.

Viewing the PCMCIA socket settings

  1. 1.At the Windows 95 Desktop screen, right click the My Computer icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click the word Properties on the menu that appears on the screen.
  2. Across the top of the System Properties window are four tabs: General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, and Performance. Click the Device Manager tab to view this information.
  3. Once the Windows 95 Desktop screen appears, right click the My Computer icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click the word Properties on the menu that appears on the screen.
  4. Across the top of the System Properties window are four tabs: General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, and Performance. Click the Device Manager tab to view this information. As you preview the list, notice that the yellow question mark has disappeared. The PCMCIA Card services is redirected to the PCMCIA Socket entry.
  5. In the list of hardware, click the + symbol beside PCMCIA Socket to display the following devices beneath this:
    • Cirrus Logic PCIC compatible PCI to PCMCIA bridge
    • PCMCIA Card Services

    The PCMCIA Card Services and Cirrus Logic PCIC icons should be free of red X marks or yellow ! marks. At the System Properties window, click the OK button to return to the Windows 95 desktop screen.

Additional PCMCIA Installation Documents

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