FAILURE: Dell Inspiron 6000, Verizon PC5750, WinXP Pro SP2

MattyUSA · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

Dell Inspiron 6000 running WinXP Pro SP2 and has Ricoh R/RL/5C476(II) or Compatible CardBus Controller. When Verizon PC5750 inserted one of the following happens:
A) It freezes the laptop until the card is ejected. Afterwards it hangs on shutdown.
B) Windows informs that the USB device has malfunctioned. Device blinks red until ejected.
C) Two items added to Universal Serial Bus Controller drop down in Device manager "NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller" in device manager. Device blinks red until ejected and is not recognized in windows or by the Verizon software.

With all options above the speakers hiss and click briefly when the card is inserted.

It is a customers machine so I'm unsure when it was purchased. I doubt it is covered with a warranty.

I've read some reports on the forums but am having trouble finding previous reports on exactly this model card and laptop.

I could use a few detailed answers with links, suggestions or ideas on how to resolve this without sending the Dell back to have its motherboard replaced. (fingers crossed)

I am curious to hear what everyone considers our options.

2 hours + spent with Verizon technical support have had me exchange one 'faulty' card for another. I'm eager not to spend too much time chasing Verizon if it simply isn't going to work with the Dell. Equally I'm eager not to have to convince Dell it is a faulty motherboard. If Verizon offer another modem known to work.... perhaps someone can let us know their experiences. I'm hoping we can then try to ask Verizon for a particular modem card to try in the Dell.

I've never been a Dell customer. I had to repair too many of them to ever consider them worth the risk. I'm not sure my customer will every return to Dell if it turns out to be the faulty motherboard.

Regards,
Matt

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1067

MattyUSA · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

Hi Bigdave

So am I.

Sorry, I can't be more helpful with my answer. It is only a brief click and hiss not continuous as with some of the USB issues reported but it is audible whenever the PCMCIA card is inserted. I worried about a short circuit initially but USB devices (keyfobs) seem to work and don't produce the click and small hiss when inserted. I have no other PCMCIA cards to test but I suspect they'd work. Not that you can tell by looking but the PCMCIA socket looks in pristine condition when peered at.

At least one USB socket (the top one) doesn't initialize the lights on the keyfobs all the time. It can be hit or miss. However even if that socket is faulty surely the PCMCIA card would still work? Yes, now, maybe?

I mentioned it in case any other have or had the same click with or without faulty motherboards.

My fingers are still crossed. I don't want to let this customer down if I can help it. Anyone with any input, please go ahead.

Regards,
Matt

Jbradthomas · EVDO User Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

Hey Matt

Have you tried a PCMCIA to ethernet adapter or wireless adapter to test the PCMCIA socket ? This would if it is the laptop or connection card.

MattyUSA · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

Hi

Thanks. That is a good idea. I don't have one to test but I will advise the customer to take laptop and card back to Verizon shop and insist it works before he leaves. He can suggest to them that they try a PCMCIA to Ethernet adapter and/or a new card.

Other feedback and suggestions still very welcome I'll have the laptop for a while yet.

Regards,
Matt

Jbradthomas · EVDO User Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

Maybe you can borrow one ? It would be best to know if it is the laptop or connection card before going back to Verizon. Or if you have another laptop to test connection card in ?

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1067

Might have him try Verizon's USB720 card too. Although I guess actually using a USB card might cause conflicts with his pcmcia slot? Wink

MattyUSA · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

I wish I were rich enough to afford a laptop, but not yet I'm afraid.

I don't have other PCMCIA cards or another laptop to try with. I will ask the customer to take it to a Verizon store and ask for the card to be tried in another laptop, a new card to be tired in his and for the USB720 card. I don't think he has any other PCMCIA device so he might luck out regards any other conflicts.

It'll be a good while befor eI can post those results.

What is everyones feeling? A faultly Dell motherboard, a known incompatibility or software error?

Regards,
Matt

Michael · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:46 am Post subject:

Search up here on EVDOforums, there have always been lots of problems with the Dell Inspiron 6000 and EVDO PCMCIA cards.
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MattyUSA · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

Hi Michael

You're right, and I did. Thats what put me onto a possible motherboard problem. I couldn't find anything failure specific with Dell Inspiron 6000 AND the PC5750. Thats why I figured I'd post the failure report.

I kept seeing lots of references to Dell Inspiron 6000 problems but I couldn't see many failure reports and only one success report for a repaired Dell that mentioned this PC5750 card.

I could use any other resources/ideas that might be known about for determining what the options are in this case. The ideas above are pretty good. I'd just dearly love to install some other driver and hand it back or concretely determine the incompatibility between the two or confirm a faulty motherboard.

Thanks for everyones help so far.

Regards,
Matt

WEngal · EVDO Newbie Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I see that someone else jhad this problem in apil 2007 - has anyone been able to diagnose why the PLS5750 card freezes up the Dell 6000 inspiron

MattyUSA · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 6

Not to my knowledge. I ruled it up as chip incompatibilities by either manufacturer using cheap chips that did not obey some rules or follow some standards.

We had a choice of taking the Dell or the card back. We returned the card but I think the user was so unimpressed with Dell and the situation, that I doubt they'll buy Dell again.

Such is life.

John053 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: AZ

I'm having the same problem with the same Inspiron 6000 hardware and PC5750 card.

B) Windows informs that the USB device has malfunctioned. Device blinks red until ejected.
C) Two items added to Universal Serial Bus Controller drop down in Device manager "NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller" in device manager. Device blinks red until ejected and is not recognized in windows or by the Verizon software.

I have a Firewire PCI card that I installed and it works fine so the problem is not the card slot.

I spent almost an hour on the phone with Verizon and then they transferred me to Dell where I wasted another half hour.

Does anyone know of a card that works on the Inspiron 6000?

Thanks.

Michael · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject:

We had previous customers use a USB device with success.
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