Toshiba A45 Series manual PC Card supporting software, Inserting PC Cards

184 Exploring Your Options

Using PC Cards

Check the documentation that came with the PC Card to see if it conforms to the PCMCIA 2.1 standard, or later. Other cards may work with your computer, but are likely to be much more difficult to set up and use.

PC Card supporting software

PC Cards require Card and Socket Services software — a set of programs that acts as a translator between the PC Card and the computer, and that makes hot swapping (switching cards while the computer is on) possible.

The operating system provides the Card and Socket Services for your PC Card. Even if your PC Card comes with its own version of Card and Socket Services, you should use the files included in the operating system.

Inserting PC Cards

Use caution when lifting or turning your computer. Failure to do so may result in damage to components, such as cables, attached to your computer, or to the computer itself.

Before you insert a PC Card, refer to the documentation that comes with the card to see if you need to do anything before you insert it.

To insert a PC Card:

1Turn off the computer.

You may also hot swap a PC Card (see “Hot swapping” on page 186).

2Align the card connectors with the PC Card slot and carefully slide the card into the slot until it locks into place.