T43p and usb-hub in PCMCIA-/PC Card-slot: error message

[BigCatAndy]

Hello everyone,

I have one hardware issue, which I cannot resolve by myself. So, I decided to address the community with hope, that someone can help me.

Earlier, when I owned 600x and T20, I used one usb-hub (USB 2.0) in the PCMCIA-slot. It worked, I know it. Then I bought T43p and never used that card again. Yesterday I needed it. So, I plugged the card in the slot, driver was installed. But as soon as I insert any device (USB-stick, web-cam, external 2,5"-drive), Windows XP shows me error message, that "over-voltage" (sorry for this translation from German) happens on the hub, and device must be removed. Nothing changes, when I try to supply more power to the hub by connecting it to another USB-port using special cable. Strange is, that in some cases I could still use USB-sticks, they were recognized.

As far as I understand the problem, PCMCIA-slot does not provide the hub with enough power to support any USB-device properly. But why I don't get enough power from another USB-port (neither from laptop's own nor from the one in a port replicator)? Does it have anything to do with a fact, that older laptops (600x and T20) had 2 PCMCIA-slots, and T43p - only 1?

I would really appreciate any hint. Thanks in advance.

Greetings from white and frozen Hamburg
Andrey.

P.S. I have researched a bit, and found following hint about distribution of voltage in T43p: one should not forget, that Bluetooth module and Fingerprint Reader are also "sitting" on the USB-bus. 600x and T20 do not have those things... Does it mean, that I MUST use external power source to get the card working? If so, which properties should that adapter have (voltage/ampers)?

[RealBlackStuff]

Go into Device Manager, and check all instances of "USB Root Hub"
Under Power, they will/should all tell you what is connected, and how much amperage is available.
Any "USB hub" can support several USB ports, up to a total of 500mA per hub (not per port!).
So even if the hub says: 5 ports available, and 1 port is connected, using e.g. 500mA (like a webcam), then the other 4 will not run.
If you don't have enough ports, using the standard 2 USB ports on a T43p, use an external USB hub with it's own power supply, something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-HUB-7-PORT- ... 0513201399

[BigCatAndy]

Hello RealBlackStuff,

thanks for the hint, but I occasionally burned the card with external power adapter. So, the issue is closed for me...

Greetings from Hamburg,
Andrey

Go into Device Manager, and check all instances of "USB Root Hub"
Under Power, they will/should all tell you what is connected, and how much amperage is available.
Any "USB hub" can support several USB ports, up to a total of 500mA per hub (not per port!).
So even if the hub says: 5 ports available, and 1 port is connected, using e.g. 500mA (like a webcam), then the other 4 will not run.
If you don't have enough ports, using the standard 2 USB ports on a T43p, use an external USB hub with it's own power supply, something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-HUB-7-PORT- ... 0513201399

[mpcook]

If this card was an AKE USB2.0 CardBus BC168 w/ NEC chip; I have one which works fine in my X60s; but it does not operate in and in fact will crash my T43. I was never able to figure out why it would not work in the T43, so I am stuck with two USB ports on my T43, but now I have 5 on my X60s, which is more than I will ever use .

[BigCatAndy]

I don't know, which chip it had. As I said, the card is dead now, and when I insert it into slot, my mouse and keyboard stop working. When I pull it out, they work again..

That's pity, that I damaged it. But they cost 1€ at eBay, so I buy a new one when I need it.

If this card was an AKE USB2.0 CardBus BC168 w/ NEC chip; I have one which works fine in my X60s; but it does not operate in and in fact will crash my T43. I was never able to figure out why it would not work in the T43, so I am stuck with two USB ports on my T43, but now I have 5 on my X60s, which is more than I will ever use .

[madkat]

AKE usb 2.0 (hideaway) works fine in a T43 (intel gpu), R51, R52, R61, but in a X40 crashes... maybe is a bios issue?

[mpcook]

AKE usb 2.0 (hideaway) works fine in a T43 (intel gpu), R51, R52, R61, but in a X40 crashes... maybe is a bios issue?

That is interesting as mine works in an X60s but not my T43 (Intel gpu). At the price, it was a worthwhile risk (it was cheap!).

[Merlin93]

While researching the BC168, I came across this (older) post. I'm using an both a BC168 and a BC268 (ExpressCard to ONE USB2) in my T43p, with a fresh install of XP/SP3 from the IBM CDs (after a HD crash). Both cards seem to work as they should, although I've not tried to get high power. The included drivers were problematic, but XP now recognizes the card natively, and it's better now. This is important, 'cause the card can easily slide out while trying to disconnect a USB device.
On my aging 600e, I'm using two BC168s, and plan to get additional power from the PS/2 keyboard/mouse port using a (short,green) PS/2 to USB adapter and the included (USB-to-BC168) power cable. This approach leaves the single, high-power USB1 port available. It is a bit of a "kludge" (workaround), but lack of USB2 has kept the 600e from being more useful, until now. While I'd prefer a self-contained solution, an external power source would work, e.g. a USB hub wall-wart when on AC.