USB 2.0 4 PORT PCMCIA Card Problem!

Help!!!

Ok, so I'm not awful with computers, but I'm not white hot at them,
I bought a cheap laptop just to do light work and use it for internet. It works just fine Its an Acer Travelmate 223X. . . but hold your horses til after spec... I do have a problem!


SPEC HERE
http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/html/tm223x_specs.html


Part Number
91.49S01.K55 (Windows XP Professional)
Processor / Speed
Intel Mobile Celeron 1.13GHz
Core Logic Chipset
Intel 830MG
System Bus Speed
133MHz
RAM / Max RAM
128MB / 1024MB (mine has 1 x 256MB RAM card - tried to buy more but it never showed up!)
Video Subsystem
Intel 830MG with 8MB shared memory
Hard Disk Drive
20GB Ultra ATA/100
Floppy Disk Drive
1.44MB 3.5 "
CD-ROM Drive
24x CD
PCCard Support
O2Micro OZ6912T-U CardBus Controller
1 Type III or 2 Type II / Type I
Pointing Device
Touchpad by Synaptics
Peripheral Subsystem
1 Parallel, 1 Serial, 1 PS/2 (mouse/keyboard), 1 VGA
1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45, 2 USB, 1 Mic/LineIn, 1 Spkr/Hd/LineOut
Modem
V.90 Modem / 14.4 Fax
Ethernet
10/100Mbps Fast-Ethernet, Wake-on-LAN read
Operating System
Windows XP Professional (91.49S01.K55)


So key details above as you can see.

I have Windows XP Pro with SP3 installed.

Anyways, as this laptop only has 2 USB1.1 ports, I decided I'd get a 4 port PCMCIA card (Made by VIA) to stick in the slot. I know the slot works as I tried using an old Networking (802.11b type jobby) PCMCIA Card and that worked.
Also, the computer seems to recognise the device as a USB Host controller and when its removed a number of "available" ports , some unter USB Root Hub, One says Via enhanced ... the other 2 say Via Rev 5 or later...

However, when I plug a USB device that a) I know is working, b) works in the laptop is the USB1.1 port (just not at full performance), it doesn't do anything, it doesn't even give me the triple tone "device not recognised ". It has a little jack with a USB attachment, which as far as I can guess is extra power for the USB ports, so I plugged that in...still nothing. It says in properties for each port that the device is working correctly, but clearly its not!!

I also have tried to update the drivers in device manager and all the usual stuff, I think. Nothing! This is driving me mad! I really need/want USB 2.0 on my laptop and a few extra ports as I use an external HD which needs 2 ports for max performance, a phone or WiFi dongle for my internet and usually a webcam or other device is attached, such as memory stick!

I'll be sad if I can't get it to work as everything else with the laptop is great, its a bit old, but cost me pittance!

Anyone give me any help/suggestions...I'll be forever greatful!!!

Val xx

 

If one of the controllers in Device Manager is described as "Enhanced" it IS the USB 2.0 controller, so it looks like the USB is 2.0.

BUT...that is not the problem. You can't seem to get any devices recognised.

First thing to do is, in Device Manager, uninstall all the devices under Universal Serial Bus Controllers (right-click on the device -> Uninstall or there is a button in the toolbar). They will be automatically reinstalled when you reboot. Test if that worked.

Go to Acer website and look up your model (I/we could do it, but it might require special information and besides, it will improve your experience and knowledge of the machine when you look through the support information). Find the downloads for your model. Get the drivers (driver updates) for the Chipset. The chipset is made by VIA. The USB drivers will be bundled with the chipset drivers although they could possibly be listed as a separate download.

Don't rely on going to Device Manager and clicking on "Update driver ". It does work if the driver updates are included in a "driver installer program ". Most chipset drivers are installed by a program.

Matt