DAQCard 6036E and DuelAdapter

[Aerogoob]

I have read here that other users have been successful in using the DuelAdapter (PCMCIA to ExpressCard) for use with their DAQCard 6036E's. I, unfortunately, have had no such luck. I am running a Dell Precision M90 Laptop with an ExpressCard slot (54&34mm), and my 6036 does not show up in MAX. Any ideas? thanks!!

[Aerogoob]

Update: I have tried the Duel Adapter with a couple of different wireless internet cards I had laying around -- They fired up immediately upon insertion and Windows started asking for drivers. When I insert the 6036E, nothing happens. No driver request, no cute little "buh-dink" sound from Windows indicating that new hardware has been installed... Nothing. I currently have NI-DAQmx 8.7.2 installed, along with MAX 4.5.0f0. I downloaded NI-DAQmx 8.8 yesterday, but I'm starting to think that this is not a driver issue. Anyone have any ideas on how to get MAX to see the DAQ? I'm getting a little desperate here... 🙂

Has anyone used a different adapter with any success? Thanks!!

[Jason_D]

Hi Aerogoob,

What version of Windows are you using?  Just making sure it is not Vista.

Did you try it with DAQmx version 8.7.1 or before? See http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/6913

Do you have a good way of testing just the 6036E so we can narrow down the problem to either the card or the configuration?

Has this card ever worked? 

Message Edited by Jason_D on 10-08-2008 10:47 AM

[Aerogoob]

Jason,

Thanks for responding! Here are some answers:

I am running Windows XP Professional SP2. Definately not Vista (yet).

I have not tried earlier versions of DAQmx yet, but I think that that is going to be the next option. 

The 6036E works in two other systems I have at my disposal with no problems. In one instance, I am using the 6036e in a PCMCIA slot in a laptop, and in the other, it is in a desktop through the use of a PCI-PCMCIA adapter (from Synchrotech). Both of these scenarios work fine. I use the card with both of these systems regularly.

I have also been in contact with Dell, and have updated drivers for my PCI hardware, as well as a Bios upgrade. Both were unsucessful at gettign the DAQ Card to respond. 

Any other ideas? I'm going to keep this post updated for anyone else that happens to be having the same problem.

[Jason_D]

Hi Aerogoob,

I also see multiple cases of people getting these 2 devices to work:

http://www.amazon.com/Dueladapter-Express-Card-Pcmcia-Adapter/dp/B000YYSR5W

http://forums.ni.com/ni/board/message?board.id=250&message.id=31574

Both seemed to be using Traditional DAQ however it is possible that might work.

[Aerogoob]

Jason,

Thanks again for responding! 

I am currently using the DuelAdapter listed in that thread and on that webpage, and it is not working... I actually purchased this one for two reasons: (1) Because it was listed by someone in these forums as a solution that worked (In the thread you mentioned), and (2) because I could not find the ST Lab version available for sale at Sewell direct. 🙂 I am also finding more and more web sites by people who are frustrated by this thing not working -- here's a link to Duel Systems' forums and a list of currently known problems: 

http://forum.sewelldirect.com/expresscard_to_pcmcia/currently_known_compatibility_with_the_duelsystems_expresscard_to_pcmcia-t151.0.html

Do you know of any other adapters available? Thanks!

[Aerogoob]

Another update:

I have spoken with Dell, who says that there is no reason that the DuelAdapter should not work with my system (Dell Precision M90 and Dell Precision M6300). That said, and after updating drivers (NI, Duels systems, and TI for the expresscard slot itself) and flashing my Bios, it still does not work with my NI cards (6036E and 6024E).Tech support at DuelSystems has been less than helpful, only suggesting a brute-force method of driver reinstallation. 

I have given up on this adapter. 

I have found another adapter from Addonics (ADEXC34CB ExpressCard CardBus adapter) that I'm going to try today. I am less than hopeful -- I have already requeted an RMA for the M6300 laptop and I'm ordering an M6400. It has a PCMCIA slot. I will post results of the tests with the Addonics adapter in a couple of hours.

Cheers!

[Jason_D]

Hi Aerogoob,

I haven't heard of anyone else successfully using a converter other than this one which doesn't work.

I would be curious to see if you had another laptop around and if it worked with any of these cards to help narrow down the problem type.

I appreciate your patience with this issue.

[Aerogoob]

Jason,

Yes, I have another laptop that I use the DAQCards with quite successfully. I also run them in my desktop using a PCI to PCMCIA adapter successfully. I definately think that it is an expresscard conversion issue at this point, mostly as it relates to the protocol that the expresscard standard uses. I have read in multiple forums (at PCMCIA.org and elsewhere)  that it would be very difficult to design an adapter that would allow a PCMCIA card to directly address the PCI bus through the expresscard bus. I think that this is what I am running into at this time. I can get other cards to work with the adapter (a 32-bit cardbus card, and a 16-bit PC Card, both Netgear, models WG511U and MA401 respectively), but not the DAQCards.

I also tried an adapter from Addonics just now -- it also did not work. MAX never knew the DAQCard was present, and neither my 6036E nor my 6024E showed up in my device manager. 

Bummer. I also just called Dell and asked for an RMA for this laptop... I have decided to bite the bullet and purchase another model with both the Expresscard slot (for when and if Expresscard DAQ's become available) and a PCMCIA slot for use with my current DAQCards. 

I'm going to keep on trying to get the DuelSystems adapter to work however -- There's just gotta be a way, and I hate losing. 🙂

Thanks for your suggestions and help -- maybe we'll actually find a solution sometime soon.

Best Regards,

Aerogoob (Tom)