ExpressCards leverage PC Card technology to provide a fast and convenient way to add memory, wired and wireless network communications (including wireless wide area network [WWAN] communications), multimedia, and security features to your computer.
See Specifications for information on supported ExpressCards.
NOTE: An ExpressCard is not a bootable device.
ExpressCard Blanks
Your computer shipped with a plastic blank installed in the ExpressCard slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no ExpressCard is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
You can install an ExpressCard in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.
ExpressCards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) or a label 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.
Supported and Unsupported Card Comparison
The ExpressCard slot of your computer is designed to support only ExpressCards.
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supported cards
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unsupported cards
NOTICE: Your computer does not support PC Cards. To avoid damaging the pins or card, you should not attempt to
insert an unsupported card into the ExpressCard slot.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
To install an ExpressCard:
Hold the card with 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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ExpressCard
The computer recognizes the ExpressCard and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer's drivers, use the CD that came with the ExpressCard.
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank
NOTICE: Use the ExpressCard 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.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
Press the latch and remove the card or blank. 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 ExpressCard is installed in a slot. Blanks protect unused slots from dust and other particles.
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release button
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ExpressCard
Media Memory Cards
The 5-in-1 media memory card reader provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos, music, and videos stored on a media memory card.
NOTE: A media memory card is not a bootable device.
The 5-in-1 media memory card reader reads the following media memory cards:
Secure Digital (SD) card/SDIO
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
xD-Picture Card
Installing a Media Memory Card
You can install a media memory card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.
Media memory cards are generally marked with a symbol (such as a triangle or an arrow) or a label 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.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
To install a media memory card:
Hold the card with the top side of the card facing up.
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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5-in-1 media memory card slot
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media memory card
The computer recognizes the media memory card and automatically loads the appropriate device driver. If the configuration program tells you to load the manufacturer's drivers, use the CD that came with the media memory card, if applicable.
Removing a Media Memory Card
NOTICE: Use the media memory 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.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product
Information Guide.
NOTE: The smart card slot is optional and may not ship with 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.
Installing a Smart Card
You can install a smart card in the computer while the computer is running. The computer automatically detects the card.
To install a smart 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.
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.
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.
