PCI to PCMCIA Adapter - Use EVDO on your desktop

wildew · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

I also have the Koutech card from newegg and a KPC650.
It works fine in an older Compaq Presario 800, 2K terminal server
-89 dBm this morning (down to -94 at times) on 1xRTT 11 miles from the tower.

In my newer MSI MS-6380 2.0 w/1.1 Athlon XP, XP Pro SP2 I get "No Signal" All devices detect, install and test fine but signal strength is weak at -126.

Would REALLY like to find a solution for the newr machine.

The KPC650 also works well in my Presario 1717 laptop.

Michael · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:30 am Post subject:

In my testing of different PCMCIA PCI solutions, I have found that it depends entirely on the motherboard of the desktop and it is a lot of "hit or miss". I tried 3 different PCMCIA PCI adapters that I KNOW worked in other desktops, but none of them ever worked in my HP Pavillion.

So, whichever adapter you try, make sure there is a return policy.
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Scott · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject:

This is *just* for troubleshooting... no guarantees:

Try different PCI slots. Try the one nearest the APG slot/backplane connections.

Try removing ALL other PCI cards except for the cardbus PC Card to PCI adapter.

If it starts working... put other PCI cards back in one at a time. A giant PITA I know, but you can sometimes get PCI adapters working this way (aka "playing nice"). If the PC card adapter STOPS working or the system hangs at boot, you will have found a conflict.

Another note... EVDO cards are detected as a USB devices. If the PC Card to PCI adapter works but your system is failing to recognized the EVDO PC Card, perhaps changing the USB settings in your BIOS may have an impact. Have a peek at device manager. Are there issues with the adapter and/or is the EVDO card even showing up?

Of course this also depends on "environment" and platform. If you're trying to install an adapter in an aging, virus-riddled Windows 95 load, "Good Luck With That". ;] Starting out on a stable system is important when we're talking about adding card slot adapters, etc.

You need Windows 2000 or XP to load Sprint Connection Manager or Verizon VZ Access Manager.

wildew · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Well Scott, you may have been right.
The BIOS settings between the Compaq and MSI boards can't be compared but I did enable legacy USB on the MSI board and now I can get the KPC working on the newer PC.

The only reason I say "may" is because I've also been fiddling with the antenna location. I have a Top Global something that was billed as a lightning rod and by moving it a bit and / or rotating it the RSSI will go from -126 to a high of -85 and get me connected (seems anything better than -100 will connect). Not sure if I had played with the antenna much before changing the BIOS setting since it was working reliably in the Compaq.

In any case I seem to have gotten what I wanted so thanks for trying and maybe fixing my problem.

Dale

Scott · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject:

wildew · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Yep, wireless is what wireless is.
But the interesting point here (to me anyway) is that signal strength seems to vary motherboard to motherboard or maybe power supply to power supply.

I have the same KPC650 installed into the same adapter with 2 PCs that have been placed in the same position and an antenna that is also in the same place but get different signal strength readings from one PC to the other.

But for now anyway works = good
but then there's always better .....

Dale

Scott · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:32 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear that it is at least 'good'.

A PC could kick up a hostile RF signature and have an effect on the card (electronically/electromagnetically) and the nearby antenna.

There was a post on the USB EVDO device thread regarding USB EVDO devices having better signal sensitivity (as tested by the manufacturers and carriers) since the device was outside of and away from a notebook (not stuck in a PC Card slot).

Notebooks and especially towers can create 'hostile' electronic environments. All the circuitry and powersuppy can emit electronic noise (RF/EMI) which impacts nearby EVDO device antennas and the the card's electronic circuitry as well, reducing performance.

We've heard many reports of users seeing less signal for 1xRTT/EVDO when using PC cards in their desktop systems. If its not because of the location in a structure, away from exterior walls or windows, then it is likely due to system 'noise'.

External antennas can help with the RF signal, but they can't help if your system's internal electronic noise is impacting the card's electronics.

stevew · EVDO User Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 33

quadragin · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

I am using a Startech card bought from Swelldirect.
I works on my old system, MSI MB T-bird 1gig system.

My new system is a ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe. Win XP MC2005
The system see the PCMCIA adapter installs a Ricoh Driver,
But when I put in the Kyocra 650 card id does not power up...

I am going to order the Siig card today and see, also check my BIOS turn all com ports off so the Kyocra can use what ever port it wants...

quadragin · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

Well the Siig card came in, and low and behold it is the same Ricoh chipset as my other card.
So this card does not work ether on my ASUS MB.

I guess I will see if I can find a USB to PCMCIA adapter.

Why O Why doesnt someone make a EVDO PCI Card?

ADD
I tried this card on my sons system with an older ASUS board Athlon 750 same problem!

bobrocken

I have 2 available setups....
1 is a 5740 card in a TI Cardbus adapter... it works great, except, I live in a fringe area, and reception is unreliable.
So, I purchased the KPC650 so I could hookup an external antenna.
The KPC650 wouldnt work in my TI adapter, so I purchased a SIIG PC1012 PCI to PCMCIA adapter. I added a yagi antenna, and the necessary pigtail adapter, and set it all up.

When the 5740 connects, the speed is just fine.

The KPC650 with antenna gets much better reception, and much lower dbi, (around 85)

BUT

IT is ALWAYS SLOW !!!!!! it takes forever to load a webpage, and my computer actually seems to be slower also.

any suggestions ?????

bobrocken · Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: Question.....

I know this is a REAL long shot, but
Does anyone know of a desktop motherboard that has a built in PCMCIA adapter ??????

Dexx · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 3

Are any vendors coming out with PCI EVDO cards natively? ie no adaptor required?

szilagyic · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1

I would just like to add that I've been successful using the SIIG PCI to PC Card Pro (JJPC1012), with a Sierra 860 card; purchased from Walmart.com. The SIIG PCI card is a snap, no drivers needed for XP, and works flawlessly. All applications that need to see the PCMCIA card can see it just fine.

My only complaint is the slow order processing time at Walmart.com (2 days before being shipped)!

--
Chris

rhipps1943 · Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: El cheapo EVDO card sharing

Bought a PCMCIA to PCI adapter on-line at http://www.buyextras.com/rirlpctopcic.html
for $19.95 plus SH. Works great in my Microtel desktop with my KPC5740 card Very Happy

Seems like a very cost effective solution to card-swapping unlike the infamous KR-1 router.