Peripherals forum: Express Card Slot to PC Card

I just ran into the same compatability issue...all this time later, and I'm surprised no one else has replied to you on this. I recently bought a Dell XPS laptop and went to my nearest Best Buy today for the great deal they've got running for the Verizon PC5740. In calling Verizon twice in the last 2 weeks to ask about the service, plus stopped into 2 seperate stores, no one mentioned an issue like this existed, even though I'd told them the model computer I'd bought. Every Verizon store and authorized retailer is happy to sell you the card, but no one said there might be a compatability issue. According to Dell, all of the PC Card makers are updating their cards this June...which means, if we're lucky, they'll be available for Christmas!! I'm really ticked off that no one mentioned this problem ahead of time. How could this have gone on so long without the word getting out??

I'm having the same problem, I waited several months and have searched endlessly and still not one single product has come out that works with the Express card.
So my new dell 1505 laptop can't use my 108 mbps wireless notebook adapter and is slower then my 5 year old laptop.
What a scam, Dell should have told me when I bought it.

SierraWireless may have what you want. I use a Sierra 775 Aircard that will not run on new laptops with express card slot. I'm using grandfathered T-mobile service that is longer offered but works on older laptops with pcmcia slots.

I'm looking for a usb cable with adapter socket for pcmcia cards.

USB to PC-Card adapters are still in their infancy with very few functional configurations.

Bob

I too just recently purchased a new laptop (HP) and no where on the outside box packaging does it state "not compatible with type II pc cards." So, I assumed my purchase would accomodate Cingular's wireless network card. After a lot of complaining on the phone with the Cingular customer service person, I was connected with a Cingular tech person. He told me that they were starting to get complaints about the lack of compatability (new laptops don't have both types of slots to accomodate this transition.)He was very nice and helpful.

My next call was to HP to explain my situation and they told me the express card slot was the "next generation" of slots for laptops. Great, but in the meantime I must wait for the card slot makers to develop a new sized card to accomodate express sized slots?

Cingular uses a PC card manufactured by "Novatel" located in San Diego. Novatel provided the following informative update; "Novatel Wireless is at an advanced stage in the development of ExpressCards which should be on the market in 2006H2."

"In addition to getting regulatory approval, each of the service providers must approve the new cards on their networks. Please contact your service provider(s) to find out when they are going to approve and sell the new cards."

"Your question to the service providers will help them to understand the demand and help them prioritize their approval process of the ExpressCards." Excellent advise!

In the meantime, I am stuck in a technology time warp with a new laptop but no wireless connectivity! Personally, (in my case) the information provided to the consumer on the label and packaging by HP should CLEARLY state "Not compatible with Type II PC Cards."

The problem I have been having is not with the card used to connect to a wireless network within a house, an office, or a Starbucks. You're right, that's easy to get and use. The problem is with the card used to connect without ANY wires to anything. The PCMCIA card. Here's the best example I can come up with: I'm not looking for a cordless telephone for my house, I'm looking for a cell phone so I can make and receive calls anywhere. Anyone else out there have a better way to explain this more easily?

having the internal card what do you do then, i have the bl120 and i need an adapter or something to get wireless on the go. any sugestions
thanks

I note that the initial question was asked back in March. In the beginning of May I wanted to buy a new laptop using Verizon's broadband service. I decided on a Dell laptop. I called Verizon and specifically asked if their card is OK in the Dell laptop, and the sales rep assured me it was OK. And here it's 2 months after Verizon knew about the Express Card problem, and the Verizon sales rep STILL gave me the wrong information that their card would fit into my Dell. So much for Verizon customer service...

where will the update appear...have you an address?

thanks!

alright, latest "update" is that they should either be out this week (which is highly unlikely) or in the first couple weeks of July. And sorry, no address for news, I've had to go directly to a customer rep.

It's appreciated.

Bob

I hold in my hands the Training Guide issued to Verizon Wireless employees for the new V640 Wireless ExpressCard with assurances from a sales rep that the cards are shipping this week. The guide includes a compatibility list, so everyone should be able to determine if their laptops will work with the card. The associate did not know what the pricepoint will be, or if VerizonWireless will be offering any rebates with the initial release, but at least he had some knowledge of the troubles we've been lamenting about! That's more than I (and based on the responses to this forum, everyone else) have gotten from Verizon in the past!! Hopefully, there's light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not an oncoming train!!!

This is kind of an expensive fix at $189.95, but it is in stock and at least available. It is a newer technology for 32 bit cards.

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=214

It appears that most newer broadband cards are supported. For the Sprint PC-5740 (the same card used also for Verizon), I am told it will work, but you will need to use a manual install for it. Basically, the connection software provided by Verizon does not see the card so they assume the same for Sprints, but there are directions for manually enabling its use with this adapter here:

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/support/ufaq/newconnection.php

I hope this helps some folks. This has been very frustrating for us as well to have new laptops now without being able to use our existing Broadband modem cards.

It is August already; I just discovered this forum - too late, I'm afraid. I too have a Dell Inspiron and recently ordered a broadband wireless card though Sprint, as my they are the provider for my mobile service. I was really excited about the possibility of being connected at home (we live in the country and there is no way I'm going back to dial-up). You would think that the online Sprint store would disclose compatibility issues, but noooo! How hard would it be to post that their cards don't fit Express Card slots? I'm so disgusted with not only Sprint, but Dell as well - why did they do this? Dell has an Express Card Modem for $179 but it only works with Verizon. Cingular compatibility is due out at the end of the year. What's up with Sprint?

its now available thru verizon (internet has it now)
retail office should have it by the 24th of August