Modem/LAN

[wanman]

Hi,

Not sure whether to post here or on the 7 forum as my 7 series has undergone a personality change and now thinks it is a Netbook !!!;)

I am looking for a list of low powered PCMCIA cards which combine both LAN and 56k modems. I understand from other threads that a Psion Dacom CombineIT Modem LAN is compatible but was looking for a list of any other brands. What about the 3Comm 3CCFEM556B equivalent? Any others?

I definitely want a card with wired connection.

Regards

Si

[wanman]

Hi again. I am looking to get hold of a 3com modem/Lan card as per the attached link. Anyone tried this or know if it will be compatible with a 7book or netbook atleast??

http://www.3com.com/prod/en_UK_EMEA/detail.jsp?tab=features&sku=3CCFEM556B

Thanks

Si

[diem]

check this thread for the beginnings of a list:

pc card compatibility list (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=690)

i've yet to hear of anyone using a 3com card successfully I'm afraid.

[wanman]

Guess it looks like being a Psion Dacom Combine IT then. Back to ebay for me !!

Cheers

Si

[diem]

You have your wires slightly crossed wanman. Dacom and CombineIT are the two ranges of cards produced by Psion. Dacom is the old range, CombineIT is the new range.

I recommend the latter for best compatibility and lower power consumption, but the former will be cheaper on eBay.

[wanman]

I understand, thanks. I need to sort one out soon although I am still tempted by this 3com alternative. I have checked out the specs and they are similar cards including power consumption. Not sure where else I can get info from.

Yan I note that there are two types of card 16bit and 32 bit. Do both work with the Netbook or should I be looking to obtain a 16bit card?

Si

[wanman]

Yan,

I have looked into a cheaper alternative to a Psion CombineIT card. I am currently looking at the 3com Megahertz 10/100 LAN+56k Global modem CardBus PC Card with Autosensing XJACK connector (just rolls off the tongue!). The model number is 3cXFEM656C and you can get hold of them for about £80-£100 new and £20-40 second hand.

The details are as follows:

It requires a 32bit PCMCIA slot - I assume the 7book would support this.
Power consumption is 175mA for Modem only, 150mA for LAN only and 300mA for both simultaneousl (if possible on the Netbook OS)

Having read the splurge on the PsionTeklogix website the netbook allows cards up to 650mA to be operated but the 7 is restricted to 300mA. Even if the genetically modified 7Book still uses the lower limit, it should still work due to the low consumption.

Assuming the main problem with compatibility of cards is this power consumption, would it be fair to say that this card should work with the Netbook OS installed? If you are not sure about the 7book, would it definitely work with a Netbook.

Any help will be greatly appreciated although a may just have to bite the bullet and get hold of one and just try it.

Hope you are able to help

Regards

Si

[diem]

One thing I can tell you is that both 7 and nB have 16bit PCCard slots, so a 32bit PCMCIA card is definitely a no-no.

If you can get a 'sale-or-return' deal from the vendor, then I'd be very interested to know if the 16bit version works. I kind of lean towards it not doing so; it all depends on whether it uses the same chipset as a supported card, and this seems unlikely.

Good luck though!

[wanman]

I have checked again and the card is compatible with both 16-bit PC Card or 32-bit CardBus PC Card slots, so that side of things should be ok. I agree with your point on the chipset. At the end of the day the Psion needs to be able to talk to the card with the drivers it already has and this is the most doubtful aspect of any purchase. I will see what price I can get hold of one or if any of my pals have one.

I also checked out the power consumption on the Psion CombineIT card and this needs 330mA for combined modem and Network which is a little to high for the 7's port. I assume the netbook OS does not allow for dual connection to both modem and network so this should not be a problem as I will only ever be connected to either modem or network?

Thanks for info on this

Si

[wanman]

Hi again Yan,

I have found a website that confirms that the 3Com Megahertz 33.6k modem works with the Netbook. This could be an indication that the 56k/LAN card may work aswell. I have emailed the page creator to see if he has tried any other cards or has any other info.

http://www.ericlindsay.com/epoc/psion7.htm