Quatech PCD2-F User manual

Brand: Quatech

Model: PCD2-F

Type: User manual

Quatech PCD2-F is a PCMCIA Card Drive that enables ISA bus personal computers to utilize PCMCIA memory cards as solid state diskettes or as an interface for I/O cards. It's compatible with Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV PC Cards. It is PCMCIA 2.1/JEDIA 4.1 compliant and supports ATA card drives. Quatech PCD2-F also supports RS-232, RS-422/485 data acquisition cards, multi-protocol adapters, and parallel port adapters operated in EPP mode.

1. Introduction

1.1 General Information

The PCD2-F PCMCIA Card Drive allows ISA bus personal

computers to use PCMCIA memory cards as solid state diskettes , or as an

interface for I/O cards.

The PCD2-F provides many features to the computer user. The

PCMCIA Card Drives are much faster than standard diskettes. No

mechanical moving parts are used, resulting in significantly greater

reliability. Data can be conveniently transported between laptop

computers equipped with PCMCIA sockets and desktop computers

equipped with the PCD2-F.

This dual slot drive is to be installed into one 3.5" or 5.25" floppy

drive bay, the latter requiring the Quatech PCD2 adapter. The upper slot

is 'slot 0' and the lower slot is 'slot 1.' The system can support Type I,

Type II, Type III, and Type IV PC Cards. It is PCMCIA 2.1/JEDIA 4.1

compliant. The PCD2-F also supports ATA card drives.

The system can be obtained with an optional boot ROM for system

booting from a memory card and/or an optional Microsoft Flash File

System.

The drive also supports the full line of Quatech Cards, including

RS-232, RS-422/485 in single or multi-port versions. It supports data

acquisition cards with 12-bit or 16-bit resolution. Multi-protocol adapters,

providing asynchronous, monosync, BISYNC, SDLC, and HDLC

protocols are supported. Parallel port adapters operated in EPP mode are

also supported.

Cardsoft software, from Systemsoft, is included for support in

MS-DOS, and WINDOWS 3.1x. WINDOWS 95 is self supporting.

PCD2-F User's Manual 1

1.2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The PCD2-F requires a system conforming to the following

specifications:

1., IBM PC compatible computer with a minimum 80286 CPU.

2. Hard disk with at least 1MByte of free Space.

3. One empty ISA/AT (16-bit) bus slot ( clock speed must be

8MHz or slower.

4. One empty 3.5" or 5.25" floppy drive bay, the later requiring a

PCD2 adapter.

5. DOS 5.0 or later, WINDOWS 3.1x, and WINDOWS 95.

2. SETUP

2.1 PACKAGE CONTENTS

1. Host interface adapter.

2. Drive unit.

3. Flat ribbon cable assembly.

4. Software installation disk.

5. 4 mounting screws

6. manual

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2.2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION

2.2.1 Jumper Settings

Card Drive # JP3 & JP4

1st Card Drive 2-3 & 5-6 0,1

2nd Card Drive 2-3 & 4-5 2,3

3rd Card Drive 1-2 & 5-6 4,5

SLOT #

4th Card Drive 1-2 & 4-5

6,7

Table 1. Jumper Settings

These setting allow more than one PCD2-F to be installed in the computer

at the same time without conflict. Use the table above to set the jumpers

accordingly. Note, the jumper configuration is factory set at 2-5 & 3-6.

The jumpers do not need to be changed if only one PCD2-F is used.

PCD2-F User's Manual 3

2.2.2 Istructions for Installation

1. Turn off the PC and all peripherals.

2. Remove the cover.

3. Attach the ribbon cable to the drive unit. The ribbon is keyed,

therefore, there is only one possible way to insert the plugs into

the sockets.

4. Install the PCD2-F into an unused 3.5" drive bay using the four

mounting screws. The optional PCD2 adapter will be required

installation in a 5.25" drive bay. Follow the instructions on the

drive bay adapter for installation in the 5.25" drive bay.

5. Attach the ribbon cable to the drive unit's ISA bus interface card.

Again, the ribbon cable is keyed for proper insertion.

6. Find an empty ISA/AT (16-bit) bus slot for the card and remove

the empty card socket plate from the PC and retain the fastening

screw.

7. Insert the card into the empty slot, being careful to line up the

tabs with the sockets.

8. Fasten the card in place with the screw from step seven (7).

The hardware installation is now complete.

3.1 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

The PCD2-F card drive includes a DOS PCMCIA card and socket

services library called Cardsoft, from Systemsoft. The PCD2-F also comes

with Cardview, a PCMCIA control and maintenance utility for Microsoft

Windows. PC Cards can easily be configured while in Microsoft

Windows since the PCD2-F works side by side with Cardsoft. Windows

95 does not require Cardsoft or Cardview.

Note: be sure to complete the hardware installation instructions of your

PCD2-F before proceeding with the software installation.

3.2 INSTALLATION FOR DOS AND WINDOWS 3.1x

1. Start the PC. Insert the Cardsoft diskette into drive A: or

drive B:.

2. Microsoft Windows users should start up Windows now f rom

the program manager, select File, then Run and

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then type "A:\install" or "B:\install" at the command line

prompt and press <Enter>. DOS users type "A:\install"

or "B:\install" from the DOS prompt and press <Enter>.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions . Consult the

"Troubleshooting" section should any problems occur.

4. During the installation procedure, if QEMM, EMM836,

386MAX is detected, a warning screen similar to the one

shown in figure 2 will appear along with the appropriate

DEVICE line changes for the memory manager.

If a screen like the one shown in Figure 2 appears, write down the

displayed device line. Upon the completion of the Cardsoft installation,

change the memory manager device line to the one displayed on the

screen. To edit CONFIG.SYS, type "edit CONFIG.SYS" AT THE C:>

prompt.

Figure 2.

Memory Manager Configuration

Quatech recommends that Microsoft Windows users install Cardview

after installing Cardsoft. Start up Windows to install Cardview. From the

Program Manager, select File, then Run and then type "A:\setup" or

"B:\setup" at the command line prompt. When the Cardview program

appears, follow the directions on the PC screen.

PCD2-F User's Manual 5

The Cardsoft 3.1 Install Utility has detected the presence of the

EMM386 memory manager. In order for the Cardsoft 3.1 to

function properly, certatin ranges of memory need to be excluded

from this memory manager. If you wish to ensure proper functionality

of the Cardsoft 3.1 drivers, we suggest you add the switch

X=D000-DFFF. After this installation is complete, please edit

the line in your CONFIG.SYS file to appear as below

DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386 NOEMS X=D000-DFFF

Press [Esc] to quit, any other key to continue...

Cardsoft documentation is located in the \DOC subdirectory on the

supplied diskette. The files are as follows:

1. CSUG_DOC.EXE ------------ Cardsoft User's Guide

2. CVUG_DOC.EXE ------------ Cardview User's Guide

3. CSTR_DOC.EXE ------------- Cardsoft Technical Reference

4. CSPH_DOC.EXE ------------- Cardsoft Product Highlight

5. CSRN_DOC.EXE ------------- Cardsoft Release Note

To use these utilities copy them to the hard disk by first going to either

drive A: or drive B:, depending on the system in use. Then, from A:> or

B:>, type "copy <filename> c: ". After the desired files have been copied

to the hard disk, type the filename to be read. This will expand the files

which can be read using the DOS editor. To read the expanded file type

"edit <filename.extension>". This allows the ASCII file to be easily read.

The PCD2-F is now ready for use. Shut down Windows and turn off the

PC. Then restart the PC and allow the Cardsoft drivers to load.

3.2 INSTALLATION FOR WINDOWS 95

Windows 95 contains built in support for PCMCIA hardware and does

not require using the supplied diskette. Follow the installation procedure

below.

1. Boot up Windows 95.

2. Double click on the My Computer icon, next select CONTROL

PANEL, then select ADD NEW HARDWARE.

3. Use the "Add New Hardware Wizard."

4. Follow the on screen instructions, i.e. ., select all recommended

choices.

3.3 INSTALLATION FOR OS/2 USERS

OS/2, version 2.1 and higher, contains built in support for PCMCIA

hardware and does require using the supplied diskette. Follow the

installation procedure below.

1. Allow OS/2 to boot normally.

2. Double click on the "OS/2 system" icon.

3. Double click on the " System Setup" icon.

4. Double click on the " Selective Install" icon.

5. Select the "PCMCIA Support" icon.

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6. Select "IBM Thinkpad 750" from the list. The IBM Thinkpad 750

uses a controller that is compatible with that of the

PCD2-F.

7. Select the driver(s) for the type(s) of PC Card(s) to be used.

8. Select "OK." The CONFIG.SYS will be automatically modified

to include the PCMCIA support selected.

9. Re-boot OS/2 to load all the necessary drivers.

The PCD2-F is now ready for use. Consult the manual or the

manufacturer for proper usage of PC Cards.

4. USING PC CARDS

4.1 DOS and Windows 3.1x

This section describes how to use the PC Cards in DOS and

Windows 3.1x.

Before Using PC Cards

Verify the installation of your Cardsoft drivers before using PC

Cards by checking the PC's CONFIG.SYS file. Use the DOS editor

and type" edit CONFIG.SYS" for DOS users or use the "NOTEPAD"

for Windows users. Make sure the following lines have been

added.

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\SS365SL.EXE

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\CS.EXE

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\CSALLOC.EXE

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ATADRV.EXE

*DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\MTAA.EXE

*DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ MTAB.EXE

*DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ MT11.EXE

*DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ MT12.EXE

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ MTSRAM.EXE

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ MTDDRV.EXE

*DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ MS-FLASH.EXE

DEVICE=C:\CARDSOFT\ CARDID.EXE

Items with an asterisk are supplied only on diskettes containing the

optional Flash File System. These drives are needed if the user intends to

use a flash card or an SRAM card.

PCD2-F User's Manual 7

Use the CSALLOC utility to determine available resources for PC Card

usage. The CSALLOC utility is a DOS program that scans the system for

available memory locations (MEM), I/O port resources (IOP), and

Interrupt Request Line (IRQ) resources. CSALLOC is also capable of

writing this information to the CSALLOC.INI file, which is the file

Cardsoft uses to determine what resources can be used by PC Cards. In

short, CSALLOC checks that PC Cards do not conflict with existing

hardware in the PC.

To view a list of the available resources from the DOS prompt to the

Cardsoft directory (ex. C:>\CARDSOFT), and type "CSALLOC/d" and

press <Enter>. A listing, similar to the one shown below, will be

displayed.

MEM=D000-DFFF

IO=108-1EF,1F8-377,380-3E8,970-9777,B70-B77,D70-D77,F70-F77

IRQ=3,5,A-C,E,F

Note: All three line must be present.

Other switches used with CSALLOC are:

1. CSALLOC /S: Use only if the system has a plug and play BIOS.

In this situation, CSALLOC forces a scan of the system resources

instead of relying on the plug and play BIOS to inform

CSALLOC as to how the system resources have been assigned.

2. CSALLOC /R This DOS command displays the current status

of memory (MEM), I/O, port addresses (IOP), and Interrupt

Request Lines (IRQ) resources on the system. Resources

marked with an (R) are reserved for other system components.

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4.1.1 USING ATA CARDS

Insert the ATA card(s) into the PCD2-F. The ATA card(s) will be

assigned a drive letter. Find which drive letter(s) have been

assigned to the cards by going into the Cardsoft directory and

typing "CARDINFO /V" and pressing <Enter>. The following

or a similar message will be displayed.

Slot 0:

[ Card Information]

Card Type = "ATA Disk" (Drive D)

Manufacturer=<Vendor Name>

Product Name=<Vendor Product Name>

All standard DOS commands, including FORMAT, will work with

the ATA cards.

4.1.2 USING SRAM CARDS

Insert the card(s) into the PCD2-F. Drive letter(s) will be reserved

for the card(s). Find out which drive letter(s) have been assigned

by going into the Cardsoft directory and type "MTDDRV /V" and

pressing <Enter>. The following or a message similar to the

following will be displayed.

Drive D is partition number 00 for slot 00

Drive E is partition number 11 for slot 01

In the above example, drive letter D is assigned to slot 0,

and drive letter E is assigned to slot 1. All standard DOS

commands, including FORMAT, will work with the SRAM

cards.

4.1.3 USING FLASH CARDS

To use flash cards, an optional Flash File System II is required.

Refer to the section "Before Using PC Cards" to be sure the proper

drivers are loaded into the CONFIG.SYS file. Before using a Flash

Card, the card must be formatted. To format Flash Cards, type "cd

Cardsoft" from the DOS prompt and press<Enter>. It is required to

execute the MEMCARD utility from Cardsoft. When

MEMCARD is executed, a menu with various options will appear.

PCD2-F User's Manual 9

To format, erase the card's contents first. When this is completed,

select " Format a New Partition." This process will take several

minutes. Once the format is completed, the Flash Card is ready for

use. The Flash Card can be used in a manner similar to that

of a floppy disk, i.e. ., files and information can be stored there.

4.1.4 USING LAN CARDS

Insert the LAN card into the PCD2-F. Hearing two beeps indicates

the LAN card has been correctly configured. Go into the Cardsoft

directory and type " CARDINFO /V, then press <Enter>. A listing

similar to the one below will appear.

Slot 0:

[Card Information]

Card Type= " Ethernet"

Manufacturer=<Vendor Name>

Product Name=<Vender Product Name>

[Configuration Info]

necessary for running network software

Configuring client handle is A65C

Memory + I/O interface, Vcc 50, Vppl 50, Vpp2 50

Config base 0100, Config value:

Option value: 60

Status value: 00

Copy value: 00

First I/O range 300-30F, 8-bit

Second I/O range 310-31F, 16-bit

Assigned IRQ is 5 (enabled)

The LAN card operates like an ISA bus LAN adapter that is

configured with a specified I/O range and IRQ. The above

example is configured with two I/O ranges (300-30F & 310-31F)

and IRQ 5. The I/O range and the IRQ assignment must agree

with the displayed information.

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4.1.5 USING FAX/MODEM CARDS

Insert the FAX/MODEM card into the PCD2-F. Hearing two beeps

confirms that the card has been configured correctly. Go into the

Cardsoft directory and type "CARDINFO /V" and press <Enter>. A

listing to the one below will be displayed.

Slot 0:

[Card Information]

Card Type= "Modem" (COM 3)

Manufacturer = <Vendor Name>

Product Name = <Vendor Product Name>

[Configuration Info]

necessary for running Network software.

Configuring client handle is A5B7

Memory + I/O interface, Vcc 50, Vpp1 50, Vppl2 50

Config base 0100, config value:

Option value: 62

Status Value: 08

I/O range 3e8-3ef, 8-bit

Assigned IRQ is 5 (enabled)

The above example is configured for COM 3 and IRQ 5.

4.2 USING PC CARDS WITH WINDOWS 95

Refer to the on-line help in Windows 95 and the manual that came

with the PC Card for more information.

5. CARD INSERTION AND BEEPS FOR ALL

APPLICATIONS

When a card is inserted, a beep will be emitted to inform the user whether

Cardsoft was able to recognize and configure the inserted card. Below is

the list of beep and their respective meanings.

1. Medium beep followed by a high beep : The PC Card was

recognized and correctly configured when inserted.

2. Single low beep : The PC Card was recognized but not correctly

configured when inserted. Please refer to the "Troubleshooting"

section.

PCD2-F User's Manual 11

3. High beep followed by a medium beep : Cardsoft is aware that

a card was removed from the slot. This beep will sound whether

the card was correctly configured or not.

6. USING QUATECH'S PC CARD LINE WITH THE

PCD2-F

Quatech manufactures a line of PC Card products, which are compatible

with the PCD2-F.

1. Single Port Serial PC Cards: available for RS-232, RS-422/485

communication.

2. Multi-port Serial PC Cards: available for RS-232, RS-422/485

communication.

3. Data Acquisition PC Cards: available for 12-bit and 16-bit

resolution.

4. Multi-Protocol Adapter: provides asynchronous, monosync,

BISYNC, SDLC, and HDLC protocols.

5. Parallel Port Adapter: provides interface to various parallel port

devices such as printers or plotters.

Quatech's line of PCMCIA cards include the associated client driver for

use in DOS and Windows 3.1. The client driver is designed to work with

Cardsoft to select available resources to operate the card. Always check to

see what resources are available by executing CSALLOC from the DOS

prompt. Select the I/O port address and the Interrupt request level.

Some of Quatech's PCMCIA client drivers load into the autoexec.bat file,

while others load into the config.sys file. Consult the manual for the

PCMCIA card to be used for this information. The client drivers will

work only after the card and socket services have been installed.

Windows 95 users do not need to install the Cardsoft utility. Windows 95

has pre-installed card and socket services. If the PCMCIA card purchased

has an .INF file available, then place the card in the socket and allow

Windows 95 to read the Card Information Services. Windows 95 will ask

about driver availability for the new PCMCIA card. Click on the selection

that reads" Drivers from disk provided by hardware manufacturer."

Then next screen is a list of manufacturers and their respective hardware.

The screen has a button that reads "Have Disk." Click on that button and

the designate the path in which the .INF file for the card exists. When

Windows 95 finds the .INF file, a list of Quatech's hardware will appear.

Choose the PCMCIA card that applies and click "OK." Your Quatech

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12 Quatech Inc.

PCMCIA card should now be ready to use. The same beeps, described

earlier, will also apply here.

For more information, or ordering Quatech's PCMCIA cards, please

contact the sales department at (800) 553-1170 between the hours of

8:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST.

7.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

The following are common problems that can occur while

installing and using the PCD2-F.

1. During the installation of the Cardsoft drivers, the screen in

Figure 3 appears.

a. The Host Interface Adapter may not be installed correctly or

has never been installed.

b. The jumper setting may not be set to the default location.

The default value (I/O address 03E0-03E1) is being used by

another device within the PC. When using a value other

than the default the screen as shown in figure 3 will

appear. Select "Intel 82365SL Socket Service" and

continue with the installation.

c. The PCD2-F may be defective.

Figure 3

PCD2-F User's Manual 13

Intel 82365SL Socket Service

Databook Socket Service

Cirrus Socket Service

VLSI Socket Service

Intel 82365LP Socket Service

IBM720 Socket Service

Not Installed Socket Service

2. During the system booting the following message appears:

*** Installation Failed: Intel 82365SL PCMCIA Adapter not

found.

a. A hardware or software conflict may exist between the

PCMCIA controller and some other device or program in

the system.

b. The PCD2-F may be defective.

3. The PC already contains a version of card and socket services.

If the version of card and socket services is dated 1993 and

before, the PCD2-F and any Quatech PCMCIA card may not

function. Install the new version of card and socket services

after removing the old version of the software.

4. During the installation of the Cardsoft Utility, the PC freezes

operation while loading the drivers to the hard drive.

a. Not enough memory has been allocated. The Cardsoft

utility needs a minimum of 1K of memory to load the

drivers. Consult the PC manual for information on how to

free memory.

5. There is an address conflict between the PCD2-F and an existing

device in the PC.

a. The PCD2-F can only use the address range of 03E0 - 03E7.

Change the base of the pre-existing device if possible.

Please call Quatech's technical support department for further assistance

at (800) 553-1170, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST.

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Quatech PCD2-F User manual

Quatech PCD2-F User manual

Quatech PCD2-F User manual

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