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| Summary: | PCMCIA Trouble Shooting Tips |
| Date: | September 29, 1995 |
| Product: | PCMCIA Computers and Devices |
| Problem / Issue: | PCMCIA General Problems |
Is there a PCMCIA enabler loaded? In order for a PCMCIA device to work, a software enabler needs to be loaded The enabler usually consists of one or more lines in your CONFIG.SYS and / or AUTOEXEC.BAT. The Toshiba enablers are installed in the CONFIG.SYS file. The enabler Software that may be supplied on your Toshiba Computer is Toshiba Card Manager version 1.0, which includes the following (These drivers are for use with all models except the T3300SL):
PCMSS.EXE
PCMCS.EXE
PCMSCD.EXE
PCMATA.SYS
PCMFFCS.EXE
MS-FLASH.SYS
DBLFLASH.EXE
Note: If your computer did not come with the Toshiba Card Manager (TCM) Version 1.0, you may purchase it from Toshiba Accessories (800-959-4100).
You may also use one of the following enablers. These enablers are included with the Noteworthy PCMCIA Modems, or are available on the Toshiba BBS (714-837-4408):
PCMCIA1.SYS (T1900's, T4500's, T6600's), or
PCMCIA2.SYS (T4600's, T100X), or
PMODEM.SYS (T3300SL Modem only)
Other enablers (which come with the Noteworthy Network cards):
POINTETH.SYS (ETHERNET Card only, All Toshiba's except the T3300SL)
TOSHETH.SYS (ETHERNET Card only, T3300SL only)
Is there more than one PCMCIA enabler loaded? See the above list for the Toshiba PCMCIA enablers. You would normally use either the enabler software supplied by Toshiba, or the software supplied by the card manufacturer.
Have you excluded the correct memory range? Almost all PCMCIA cards use a range of upper memory that needs to be excluded so that other programs don't try to use the same memory area.
Is the PC CARD slot (PCMCIA Slot on T4500) set to PCMCIA in the TSETUP program? The TSETUP program is on the Companion disk or the Diagnostic and Supplemental Programs disk. TSETUP can also be accessed by holding down the ESC key while powering on the computer. For compatibility with PCMCIA cards, including modems, this needs to be set to "PCMCIA".
NOTE: This step does not pertain to T3300SL, T100X, or T6600.
Are the COM Port, IO Address and IRQ set correctly? The PCMCIA driver controls which COM port, IRQ, etc., the PCMCIA card uses. For example the enabler could set a modem up on COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. Check the manual for the PCMCIA enabler, or see below for more information on Toshiba enablers.
This section should be used in conjunction with the Common to all PCMCIA devices section on page 1.
Below are examples of CONFIG.SYS files with memory exclusions for each of the Toshiba enablers. One troubleshooting procedure is to work with just these lines in the CONFIG.SYS and no AUTOEXEC.BAT. (See the section with the heading: MINIMIZING THE CONFIG.SYS AND AUTOEXEC.BAT)
If the modem works in DOS but doesn't work in Windows, one of the most common reasons is a memory conflict. See below for common memory ranges used with our drivers.
If you are using Version 6.x DOS, is the Toshiba Enhancement Disk installed? The easiest way to check is to compare the file size and date of EMM386.EXE in the C:\DOS directory. File sizes and dates for the Toshiba enhanced EMM386.EXE
for DOS 6.0 are : 116830 5/19/93 or 7/8/93 and
for DOS 6.2 are : 124510 12/6/93
If you are using DOS 5.0, type in VER at the DOS prompt. If you are using Toshibas DOS, it should respond with Toshiba MS-DOS...
If the Fax/Modem is not working in your communication software, test it in the Windows Terminal program. This program is in the Accessory group in Windows. Check the COM port settings in the terminal program by selecting "Settings" and then selecting "Communications". For this test the only setting that needs to be set is the COM port. (Default is COM2). On the terminal screen (mostly blank) type in "AT" and press enter. If it responds with an "OK" then the modem is working. At this point check your communication program settings.
EXAMPLES - CONFIG.SYS file for a modem card with each enabler.
Toshiba Card Manager (PCMPLUS)
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=C800-C8FF
DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMSS.EXE
DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMCS.EXE /WAIT=20 /ADDR=C8 /IRQ=10
DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMSCD.EXE /COM=2 /RS=4
PCMCIA1.SYS
DEVICE=C:\PCMCIA\PCMCIA1.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D000-D0FF
PCMCIA2.SYS
DEVICE=C:\PCMCIA\PCMCIA2.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D000-D0FF
PMODEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\PMODEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
ETHERNET CARDS
This section should be used with the Common to all PCMCIA devices section on page 1.
Below are examples of CONFIG.SYS files with memory exclusions for each of the Toshiba enablers used with the Toshiba Noteworthy Ethernet card (other cards may use a different memory range). One troubleshooting procedure is to work with just these lines in the CONFIG.SYS and no AUTOEXEC.BAT. (See the section with the heading: MINIMIZING THE CONFIG.SYS AND AUTOEXEC.BAT.
Below is an example of a network configuration file (NET.CFG).
Link Driver PCMDMCS
PORT 300
INT 5
MEM D4000
FRAME ETHERNET_802.3
Examples - CONFIG.SYS for a Ethernet network card with each enabler.
Toshiba Card Manager (PCMPLUS)
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=C800-C8FF X=D400-D7FF
DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMSS.EXE
DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMCS.EXE /WAIT=20 /ADDR=C8 /IRQ=10
DEVICE=C:\PCMPLUS\PCMSCD.EXE /COM=2 /RS=4 /LANIRQ=5
PCMCIA1.SYS
DEVICE=C:\PCMCIA\PCMCIA1.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D400-D7FF
Note: For the T6600, change the INT 5 line in the NET.CFG to INT 15)
PCMCIA2.SYS
DEVICE=C:\PCMCIA\PCMCIA2.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D400-D7FF
Note: For the T4600 systems, change the PORT 300 line in the NET.CFG to PORT 320)
POINTETH.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D400-D7FF
DEVICE=C:\POINTETH.SYS
Note: Add a semicolon (;) in front of the MEM D4000 line in the NET.CFG file, or remove it. The ET0.MSG file is needed to support the POINTETH.SYS file and should be in the same directory.
TOSHETH.SYS
DEVICE=C:\TOSHETH.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS X=D400-D7FF
MINIMIZING THE CONFIG.SYS AND AUTOEXEC.BAT
It is important to minimize the CONFIG.SYS and the AUTOEXEC.BAT files when trying to troubleshoot any problem on the computer. Many times other drivers or memory resident programs will interfere with the operation of new software and hardware and could cause more than one problem. Once the problems are resolved, everything can be loaded back in.
On a computer running MS-DOS 6.0 or above, this task becomes very easy. If the computer has DOS version 6.0 or above on it, when the computer is first booted up it will beep and say
Starting MS-DOS...
As soon as this message is displayed you should press the "F8" key. The computer will then stop at each line of your CONFIG.SYS and ask if you want to load it. Reply with a Y (yes) for only the lines shown in the appropriate example (on page 2, 3, or 4) and N (no) for ALL of the rest, including the AUTOEXEC.BAT.
Note: If the F8 key was not pressed soon enough the computer will boot up normally.
If you are running on another version of DOS, you will need to edit the CONFIG.SYS and the AUTOEXEC.BAT.
Note: Before proceeding you may wish to make a backup of the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. Please see the DOS manual for more information on the copy command.
Insert a "REM " in front of all the lines that are not listed in the appropiate example (on page 2,3 or 4). For example, "REM FILES=40", in the CONFIG.SYS would prevent the FILES=40 statement from being executed. To make these changes effective you will have to reboot the computer. If you are unsure of these procedures, you may want to have someone help you.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR RESUME MODE
The enablers supplied by Toshiba are designed to support resume mode on your computer. When using other manufacturers enablers, your PCMCIA device may not be recognized when you power on the computer in resume mode. If that is the case, the device will be recognized when you warm boot the computer.
It may be necessary to reinitialize your modem when using the computer in resume mode. If you turn off your computer while communication software is loaded, you may have to exit the software and restart it to recognize your modem.
Network cards will lose the network connection when the computer is turned off in resume mode. Usually the computer will have to be rebooted to reconnect to the network.
When using Toshiba Card Manager, POWER.EXE will have to be loaded in your CONFIG.SYS to support resume mode. The T1900's,T4500's and T4600's will also require APM.SYS. Check the reference manual of your computer for more information on POWER.EXE and APM.SYS.
If you are using Windows and Toshiba Card Manager, be sure that the Computer is set to MS-DOS System with APM. To confirm this, exit windows and run Setup from the Windows directory.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR TOSHIBA CARD MANAGER VERSION 1.0
The Toshiba Card Manager Version 1.0 (TCM) is included with some Toshiba computers (see page 1 for actual driver names). Toshiba Card Manager Version 1.0 does not support all PCMCIA cards. For a list of cards supported by this enabler, please see the CARDS.TXT file. CARDS.TXT can be found in the PCMPLUS directory, or the PCMPINST directory, or on the Toshiba Card Manager disk. If the card you are using does not work with the Toshiba Card Manager, you will need to use the enablers supplied by the manufacturer of the PCMCIA card.
For additional information, please see the INSTALL.TXT and READ.ME files or the Toshiba Card Manager Manual.
Type in PCMINFO from the PCMPLUS directory. If the line that reads Configured: says yes, then you know that Toshiba Card Manager version 1.0 is working with your card.
If you are using Windows and Toshiba Card Manager, be sure that the Computer is set to MS-DOS System with APM. To confirm this, exit windows and run Setup from the Windows directory.
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Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (" TAIS ") shall not be liable for damages of any kind for use of this information, Which is subject to change without notice. Copyright 1994, 1995 TAIS.