What type of slot do I have?

extendedping

New Member
Hi all first post. I recently purchased a hp pavilion dv2050 laptop. My reason for getting a laptop was twofold. First to get one of those cards that lets me get wireless pretty much anywhere (I have sprint as my phone and was going to get one of their cards and service) and secondly to put linux on in a dual boot with windows and finally learn that os. Here is my situation. Try as I may I have not gotton the wireless working with the laptops integrated intel 3945abg adapter. So I have purchased a pc card that I was told "should" work with fedora (not the "wireless anywhere sprint card, but a SMC Networks card for use in my house with my linksys wireless router). I put it into the slot that I beleive to be my pcmcia slot...and it only goes like half way in. meaning whatever this slot is it is not as deep as the slot in my old laptop. Oh and as I am not even detecting the card and I assume it is not connecting internally in the slot. So...

1) what kind of slot is this that is only half as deep as my old pcmcia slot and what type of card is it for?

2) would a sprint wireless card (or any of these cards such as t moble etc) even work in this slot? cause if not I really got sold this laptop badly as the comp usa rep told me I could buy one of these "wireless anywhere" cards provided I pay for the service?

3) am I just missing something? I mean do I push a secret button on the laptop somewhere and suddenly the slot takes the card all the way in?

Thanks in advance, this is really bumming me out...I spent days trying to get the wireless working with fedora, finally bought this card and now it doesn't even appear to fit :(
 
The slot probably simply isn't as deep as some. I can't see a problem with that. Just make sure the computer beeps to acknowledge the insertion of the card and you're in business.
 
The slot probably simply isn't as deep as some. I can't see a problem with that. Just make sure the computer beeps to acknowledge the insertion of the card and you're in business.

hmm thing is I don't hear a beep, and dont see anything new in device manager. doing an add new hardware doesn't do anything either. I am looking at my laptop documentation and it say it has a 5 in one card reader whatever that is...
 
Ok looking this stuff up I see the slot is called an "express card" slot...looking in it the left goes all the way back but the right is much shallower...what the heck is this thing?
 
It's a gizmo, which is closely related to a dohickey.

It's got one slot there for you to use. You should see it there on one of the sides.
 
it appears I have the card (well not the card, the slot that would take that card) in the middle of the picture. So basically I'm screwed :(
 
no, use the button beside it to push that little card thing out. All it is is a unit to protect the slot. You should be fine. I'm almost certain of it.
 
no, use the button beside it to push that little card thing out. All it is is a unit to protect the slot. You should be fine. I'm almost certain of it.

It came with the slot covered by a black card which I removed...physically the inside is shaped to take a card like the one in the middle of the url I posted. Thanks though I appreciate the feedback...and really wish I did not have this stupid "new and improved" slot.
 
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