NI PCMCIA-CAN/2 crashes Windows XP

[chgreer]

Hello.

I am attempting to install a NI PCMCIA-CAN/2 Series 2 card in an IBM Thinkpad T30. I have installed Labview 7.1 and the most recent NI-CAN software (2.3.3). With the card inserted into either of the two PCMCIA slots, the machine will freeze mid-boot. If the machine is up and I am logged in, plugging in the card will result in the system behaving normally for 10-15 seconds, and then freezing. Unseating the card at this point results in the system rebooting.

I found one answer from August 2005 where it was suggested that this symptom indicates a bad card. However, I do not believe this card is still under warranty (it is on loan from a collegue who never used it). Hopefully there might be something else I can try.

I will attempt to install this on a different laptop to rule out any possible problem on this end.

Thank you,
--CG.

[Robert M]

I think testing it out on another laptop is your best bet at this point.  I've seen a lot of problems due to IBM Thinkpads.  Do you have a Dell you can try it on?  You could also try upgrading the BIOS on the Thinkpad.  Is it an older laptop?

[chgreer]

Robert,

Thank you for your reply. I apologize for my late response to this (thanks jury duty!).

The laptop was purchased used this year off lease. I have no idea when it was originally purchased, but it looks current circa 2003 or so. It has a Pentium 4m chip, so it can't be too much older.

I tried updating the BIOS, and still run into the same problem. The card, likewise, doesn't crash a Dell laptop. Unfortunately, I don't think the Dell is availble for this application.

From what I gather, with multiple problems with IBM laptops, there is some fundamental inoperability issue that seems to crop up quite frequently between this card and these machines.

For what it's worth, I'm the specific model number of the laptop is 2367-MU1. The current BIOS is version 2.10 and was updated on 2006-06-16. Perhaps there might be some record of this causing the problem.

Finally, could this be a PCI conflict problem? The only other PCIMCIA cards I've used with this l've used with this laptop are two different 802.11 cards. Does this PCMCIA CAN/2 work best if I try certain interrupt settings?

Thank you.

Chris Greer

Message Edited by chgreer on 09-01-2006 03:53 PM

[Robert M]

Hi Chris,

I have seen a lot of different problems with IBM laptops, but not with this specific model.  My gut feel is that the laptop does not fully comply with the PCMCIA standard.  Here are a couple of suggestions for you to try:

1.  Change the cardbus controller to the generic Windows CardBus Controller. Go to the Windows Device Manager and open the properties for the Cardbus Controller located under PCMCIA adapters. Click on the Driver Tab, and then select Update Driver. Select "Install from a list or specific location" and click Next. Select "Don't search", and click Next. Finally, select the Generic Cardbus Controller and click Next. After completing click Finish and reboot the machine.

2.  Try disabling the 3COM adapter, and any other extraneous (for now) devices like any built in serial and parallel ports. The best way to do this is probably to disable them in the BIOS. If the PCMCIA card works properly then try to reconfigure disabled devices one at a time.

If neither of these suggestions work, would you be willing to send your laptop to National Instruments for testing?  If so, please include the following:

1. Computer Type, Manufacturer, Model, Processor
   [System Properties]
   
2. Cardbus Controller, Company and Version
   [Device Manager >> PCMCIA Adapters]
   
3. Operating System
   [System Properties]
   
4. NI PC Card Type, Serial Number, Revision
   [Refer to Serial Number on the PC Card]
   
5. Model and Version of Processor to PCI Bridge
   [Device Manager >> System Devices]
   
6. Is the PC Card recognized on an ISA o PCI based Interrupt
   [Device Manager >> View >> Resources by Type; the specific PC Card resource listing]

Thanks,

[chgreer]

 
Hi Robert

Unfortunately, neither of your suggestions (in any combination) worked.

Your questions:

1. Computer Type, Manufacturer, Model, Processor [System Properties] 
2. Cardbus Controller, Company and Version [Device Manager >> PCMCIA Adapters] >
3. Operating System [System Properties] 
4. NI PC Card Type, Serial Number, Revision [Refer to Serial Number on the PC Card] 
5. Model and Version of Processor to PCI Bridge [Device Manager >> System Devices] >
6. Is the PC Card recognized on an ISA o PCI based Interrupt [Device Manager >> View >> Resources by Type; the specific PC Card resource listing] >>>Both the CardBus Controller and the TI Controller are recognized on PCI Interrupt 9 currently. >>>There are several other things on PCI 9, as well. This includes the built-in modem, audio, ethernet drivers, usb. So far I have tried disabling everything I could in the BIOS, but will mess around with these settings here. The worst than can happen is I wipe the drive and reinstall.

My answers:

1. Intel Pentium 4 Mobile CPU 1.80 GHz. Seems to be running at 1.19GHz with 512 MB of RAM
2. I have used both the Windows XP SP2 Generic CardBus Controller and The TI PCI-1520 CardBus Controller. >>>The TI Driver is version 5.1.2600.0 and dated 7/1/2001. It is provided by Microsoft.
3. Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
4. NI PCMCIA-CAN/2 Series 2 SN: DD91B4
5. Intel 82801BAM/CAM PCI Bridge - 2448. Driver 5.1.2600.0 Date 7/1/2001.
6. Both the CardBus Controller and the TI Controller are recognized on PCI Interrupt 9 currently. There are several other things on PCI 9, as well. Since there are so many things there, I don't think that this could be causing the lock-ups, but who knows. This includes the built-in modem, audio, ethernet drivers, usb. So far I have tried disabling everything I could in the BIOS, but will mess around with these settings here. The worst than can happen is I wipe the drive and reinstall.

As far as shipping you the laptop to experiment on, I am all for it, although I suppose the details would have to be worked out. Is there a way that you can contact me privately? Or vice-versa? I have also tried running a bootlogger upon boot up with the card, to no avail. Finding out what the machine is actually doing (or trying to do) before it hangs is frustrating (I've not used windows for anything substantial in a good long while.) While I wait for your reply, I plan on trying to get the card to actually work with (as opposed to not just crash and burn) the Dell now. Maybe this will reveal some further problem with the card that the IBM just complains about much sooner.

[Robert M]

Hi Chris,

If you are ready to send us your laptop for troubleshooting please generate a support email from this page.  Make sure to reference my name, Robert Mortensen, and SR number 854005.

Thanks,