See "Specifications" in your User's Guide for information on supported PC Cards.
NOTE: A PC Card is not a bootable device.
The PC Card slot has one connector that supports a single Type I or Type II card. The PC Card slot supports CardBus technology and extended PC Cards. Type of card refers to its thickness, not its functionality.
PC Card Blanks
Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the PC Card slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no PC Card is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
Extended PC Cards
An extended PC Card (for example, a wireless network adapter) is longer than a standard PC Card and extends outside the computer. Follow these precautions when using extended PC Cards:
Protect the exposed end of an installed card. Striking the end of the card can damage the system board.
Always remove an extended PC Card before you pack the computer in its carrying case.
Smart Card
NOTE: For information on how to secure your computer while traveling, see "Traveling With Your Computer" in your User's Guide.
NOTE: The smart card feature may not be available on your computer.
Smart cards are portable, credit-card shaped devices with internal integrated circuits. The top surface of the smart card usually contains an embedded processor under the gold contact pad. The combination of the small size and integrated circuits make smart cards valuable tools for security, data storage, and special programs. Using smart cards can improve system security by combining something a user has (the smart card) with something only the user should know (a PIN) to provide more secure user-authentication than passwords alone.
Removing a PC Card or Blank
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: Use the PC Card configuration utility (click the icon in the taskbar) to select a card and stop it from functioning before you remove it from the computer. If you do not stop the card in the configuration utility, you could lose data. Do not attempt to eject a card by pulling its cable, if one is attached.
Press the latch and remove the card or blank. For some latches, you must press the latch twice: once to pop the latch out, and then a second time to pop the card out.
Save a blank to use when no PC Card is installed in a slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles.
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release button
2
PC Card
Installing a PC Card or an ExpressCard
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
You can install a PC Card or ExpressCard in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.
PC Cards and ExpressCards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) to indicate which end to insert into the slot. The cards are keyed to prevent incorrect insertion. If card orientation is not clear, see the documentation that came with the card.
Hold the card with its orientation symbol pointing into the slot and the top side of the card facing up.
The latch may need to be in the in position before you insert the card.
Slide the card into the slot until the card is completely seated in its connector.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again.
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release button
2
PC Card
The computer recognizes most PC Cards and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer's drivers, use the floppy disk or CD that came with the PC Card.
To install an ExpressCard:
Place the ExpressCard in the PC Card adapter (the adapter is included with the ExpressCard).
Install the ExpressCard with adapter the same way as a PC Card.
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slot
2
ExpressCard
Removing a Smart Card
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: You can remove a smart card from the computer while the computer is running.
Grasp the smart card by the edge with your fingers, and then pull the card straight out of the computer.
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smart card blank
Installing a Smart Card
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.
Hold the card so that the gold contact pad is facing upward and pointing toward the smart card slot.
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gold contact pad
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smart card (top)
Slide the smart card into the smart card slot until the card is completely seated in its connector. The
smart card will protrude approximately 1/2 inch from the slot.
If you encounter too much resistance, do not force the card. Check the card orientation and try again.
