How to use "SwapBox" PCMCIA-to-ISA adapter in Puppy?

What works, and doesn't, for you. Be specific, and please include Puppy version.
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starhawk
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How to use "SwapBox" PCMCIA-to-ISA adapter in Puppy?

#1 Post by starhawk »

I was doing some computer archaeology (taking apart a Pentium MMX OptiPlex GXi) when I discovered probably the weirdest thing I've seen in a PC.

It's called an SCM SwapBox. It converts a PCMCIA or CardBus card to ISA, using a Vadem VG-469 IC and --of all things-- a 2ch 50pin SCSI card. The device was made by an SCM Microsystems company that I've never known.

If I can make this work in Puppy, that means I can use a WiFi card with an ISA-based system! (...which would be AWESOME...)

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Aitch
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#2 Post by Aitch »

try checking in hardinfo for yenta socket/pcmcia

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=238941

I believe you may need a scsi drive puppy such as 430/431/432scsi, or 476scsi or slacko530/531scsi
I have slacko530scsi-pae running a 68pin scsi harddrive OK

early Barry comment

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 073#332073

info/windrivers

http://download.cnet.com/SCM-SwapBox-Fa ... 75314.html

similar Texas device

http://www.seattlewireless.net/TexasIns ... aef926969b

tempestuous is the guy to ask, if this doesn't help
If I can make this work in Puppy, that means I can use a WiFi card with an ISA-based system! (...which would be AWESOME...)
Wouldn't a simple PCI>PCMCIA adapter do the same, enabling any pcmcia wifi to work....assuming PCI>USB/wifi dongle is not available? [Also assuming desktop, as I never came across an ISA slot lappy...]


Aitch :)

starhawk
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#3 Post by starhawk »

ISA is the 8- and 16-bit (depending on which version you have) predecessor of 32-bit PCI. It's a different protocol and physical connector. Most modern systems have PCI's successor, PCI-Express (aka PCIe or PCI-E -- PCI-X is something else). Many older machines have either PCI only or (depending on vintage) some mixture of PCI and ISA.

There are a few really old systems that are ONLY ISA but they are mostly incapable of running Puppy (we're talking 486 and early Pentium/K5/K6 systems...)

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Aitch
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#4 Post by Aitch »

Yes, I know what ISA is....I just didn't realise how much of a relic you were trying to get puppy to run on, and assumed ISA/PCI composite PC....] :lol:
[I still have a working MMX pentium box rigged as a router with pfsense, though I don't currently use it, ...to save power....] :lol:

Don't they throw away better ones than that in your area? :wink:

Aitch :)

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