B&B Electronics 232PCC - Manual (Page 5)

2 PCMCIA Card Documentation Number 232PCC0499 Manual
B&B Electronics Mfg Co – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax 815-433-5104
B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Comm. Pk – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 91-792444 – Fax +353 91-792445
Configuring the Serial Card
Once the Serial Card has been inserted, the PCMCIA socket
must be configured for serial port operation. All PCMCIA
input/output devices must be configured by software before they can
be used. This configuring/enabling process must be repeated (that
is, the enabling program must be run again) whenever the Card is
powered off, then on again. A PCMCIA Serial Card will be powered
off when the user removes it from the laptop and then re-inserts it.
It may also be powered off, when the laptop goes into a "sleep"
mode to conserve power.
There are two kinds of PCMCIA enabling software:
Card and Socket Services, and Point Enablers. You must
choose which software enabling method you will use to
activate your Serial Card. Each method has its advantages and
disadvantages. (See Card and Socket Service Users section or
Point Enabler Users section for more information.)
Most laptops and desktops, that come equipped with PCMCIA
slots, come with Card and Socket Services (CSS) software. This
software manages the PCMCIA ports. If Card and Socket Services
are running on your machine, your Serial Card will be set up and
configured for you automatically when you insert the card into the
PCMCIA slot. This is usually the easiest and best way to configure
your Card. In most cases all you will need to do is plug in your Serial
Card and access the assigned COM port. (Refer to your PC
documentation for information concerning the Card and Socket
Services provided with your system.)
Software Setup
Once your card is configured, it can be accessed through your
application software by choosing the appropriate COM port. (Refer
to the users manual associated with the software you are using for
information on how to assign COM ports.)
Card and Socket Service Users
Card and Socket Services is a set of programs that are installed
so that they are executed when the laptop is turned on. The Card
and Socket Service programs then stay resident - they remain in
memory all of the time. Card and Socket Services are designed to
detect when a PCMCIA device has been inserted or powered off and
then it automatically re-enables the device. This allows "hot
swapping" - you can pull a PCMCIA card out and put in a different
one and the new card is automatically enabled. Card and Socket
Services also "know" how to enable a variety of devices from