pcmica cdrom: no access

Jedi: I think it is the right driver, the picture and the connectors are exactly the same.

I remember that I did try to test by type d: at the crompt but I don't think it worked, I'll try again because it has been a while.

This is what my config.sys looks like after loading the driver and runing memmaker

DEVICE:C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE:C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM HIGHSCAN I=B000-B7FF
BUFFERS=15,0
FILE=8
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVER=E
FCBS=4,0
DEVICE:C:\PICC\PICD.EXE
DEVICE:C:\PICD\PICD.ESE /D:MSCD001 /R

i FOUND IT STRANGE THAT IN THE README OF picc picd IT STATES THAT IT SHOULD INCLODE /P170,15 /P
BUT IT DID NOT INSTALLED IT IN THE CONFIG. WHEN IT SAID THAT IT WOULD DO IT AUTOMATICALLY.

Kilo

The Latitude XPI is a 133ST. I ran several diagnostic utilities.

In each occassion it says that the MSCDEX is not being connected (or identified).

I think it is an issue of Config.exe.
I install PICC first and PICD as it says in the README. The installantion creates the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat

But only gave this information in Config.sys.

DEVICE:C:\PICC\PICD.EXE
DEVICE:C:\PICD\PICD.ESE /D:MSCD001

it does not provided any swithes as it says in the README:

I PCMCIA/IDE CD-ROM solution for DOS

I.1 Device Driver and Utility Usage

--------------------------------------------------
PICC.EXE (PCMCIA/IDE Adaptor Card Services Client)
--------------------------------------------------

This driver supports the PCMCIA 2.1+ Card/Socket services
specifications. It is mandatory to load this driver before
using the PICD.EXE device driver.

Installation Format:

DEVICE=[drive:][path]PICC.EXE [/P:xxx,yy]

where [/P:xxx,yy]
specifies the I/O port base and interrupt number that
the Adaptor Card Services tries to allocate for this
card in default.

'xxx' is the base address (hexadecimal notation) of
IDE port. The permissible assignment of the base
address are as 168, 1E8 and 170.

'yy' is the interrupt number (decimal notation) of
the corresponding IDE port. The permissible interrupt
number are 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15.

Note 1: you might emulate a secondary enhanced IDE port on the
PCMCIA/IDE adaptor card as shown below:

DEVICE=PICC.EXE /P:170,15

Note 2: this client driver will search for IO ranges from the
default base address (if specified) and then 168, 1E8
to 170 and search for IRQ from the default interrupt
number (if specified) and then 10, 11, 15, 9 to 12.

------------------------------------------
PICD.EXE (PCMCIA/IDE CD-ROM Device Driver)
------------------------------------------

This device driver requires that the PICC.EXE client driver to
be installed before using the PICD.EXE driver. And this CD-ROM
device driver will search for CD-ROM drives for Enhanced IDE
ports (namely 1f0,14 and 170,15) and then the IO ranges/IRQ
that PICC.EXE allocates.

Installation Format:

DEVICE=[drive:][path]PICD.EXE /D:<drive name> [/R]

where /D:<drive name>
specifies the drive name for MSCDEX.EXE to match,
and the default name is _PICD_$$.

[/R]
reserves one drive letter for plug and play purpose,
if this parameter is used then the CD-ROM drive need
not exist to be initialized when system boots up.
However, be sure that the PCMCIA/IDE adaptor card
is inserted properly to allow Socket/Card/Client
services to recognize its existence.

Please install MSCDEX.EXE in AUTOEXEC.BAT file as shown below:

MSCDEX /D:<drive name>

The README claimed that if I used Install it would do it automatically. But I don think it did.

----------------------------------
INSTALL.EXE (Installation Program)
----------------------------------

You have to run this installation program under DOS environment;
and this program will copy the necessary files into the target
directory and automatically make changes to your system files.

Later I ran Memmaker and Config.sys changed to this:

VICE:C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE:C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM HIGHSCAN I=B000-B7FF
BUFFERS=15,0
FILE=8
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVER=E
FCBS=4,0
DEVICE:C:\PICC\PICD.EXE
DEVICE:C:\PICD\PICD.ESE /D:MSCD001 /R

I added the swith /R later as it indicated in the read me.

I also included the swith /P:170,15 as suggested in the Readme, like this

DEVICE:C:\PICC\PICD.EXE /P:170, 15

but it gave me an erro on the Config line 8.

I still have the impression that it is a Config.sys and Autoexec.bat issue. But I am looking for your ideas. I am presistent.

I attached the whole README for your information.

Hello Carlos. Try this and see if it will work.

1) Boot up with a Win98 bootdisk and select "start without CDRom support.

2) Reformat the drive with the /S switch (format c: /s). Reboot again when finished with the boot disk.

3) At the A:\> prompt type md c:\Win98 then press enter.

4) At the A:\> prompt type the following, pressing enter after each one.

copy himem.sys c:
copy mscdex.exe c:

5) At the A:\> prompt type the following exactly as written:

COPY CON C:\CONFIG.SYS (press enter)
DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS (press enter)
DOS=HIGH (press enter)
DEVICE=C:\PICC.EXE (press enter)
DEVICE=C:\PICD.EXE /D:MSCD001 (press enter)

6) Hold down the Ctrl key and press the Z key, then press enter.

7)Type the following exactly:

COPY CON C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT (press enter)
MSCDEX /D:MSCD001 (press enter)

8) Hold down the Ctrl key and press the Z key, then press enter.

9) Once you are back to the A:\> prompt, remove the Win98 bootdisk and insert the floppy disk that has the CD and CardBus drivers. (Do not reboot the computer, just swap the floppy disk)

10) Type the following at the A:\> prompt, pressing enter after each command.

copy PICC.EXE c:
copy PICD.EXE c:

11) Remove the driver floppy and reboot without the boot disk. You should boot up to a C:\> prompt.

12) Insert the Win98 CD and at the C:\> prompt type CD Win98 (press enter).

13) Type COPY D:\Win98\*.* (press enter)

Hopefully, the CDRom will work and copy the files to the hard drive. Once the files have finished copying remove the Win98 CD from the drive and type SETUP at the prompt.

Let us know what happens.

Good luck.

Kilowatt

Well, John I am a persistent and I will not give up until I find it. I have figured (I am pretty sure, but not certain) that it is a Configuration and/or Autoexec.bat issue.

We apparently made the same mistake. The CDROM was working when I decided to up grade the Windows 98 to SE. And we apparently forgot to backup those drivers before reformatting the hard drive. I should have tried to "Unformat", but for me it has been a long time since I took the computer technology course. And this kind of stuff I like to do it myself to learn. Some how I assumed (and I should have known better) that the CDROM was going to operate. Not realizing that they came separately. It should be a learning experience for both of us.

This Dell Slim CDROM configuration have apparently been sold as a pair before. I do not think it was you and me alone. So there most be some other people out there with the this to equipments together. If I find out and get it working I will let you know. I am sure you wouldn't mind getting the SLIM working with your laptop.

There is apparently other CDROMs named SLIMLINE, one made by Mitusi <or something like that).

I am confused, because the Documents that come with the driver states that the switch and parameters /P:170, 15 for the IRQs should be included somewhere. but it does not load the Config.sys with it and when I include it, it gives me an error.

Hey John!!!! you are in luck. It seems that now that you have Windows 98 in your hard drive, you can download the drivers appropriately. I got a responds from Original the people who make the Slim CDRom-PCM CD224.

Hello Franco,

I believe this is a PCMCIA type connection?

If this is so, your computer will not recognize it until windows has been installed. The PCMCIA bus slot in the actual laptop requires drivers to operate as well. Until Windows is installed you will not be able to use this type of connection.

I do not believe there is a Secondary/media bay available for your PC. Your best hope is to get a docking station with CDR built in or a Parallel connection CDR.

If that is out of the question the only other thing I can think of is to remove the HDD and put it into a similar laptop with a built in CDR.

I'm sorry Franco but these products are not compatible with DOS.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Kind Regards,
Chris Jones
Technical Manager
Origin Storage Ltd

I am wondering if I can some how make a connection with another computer with a CDROM. Using a dos interface and load the Windows 98 that way.

Another way I am trying to workout in my imagination is if I can load Windows 95 with diskette, then see if I can have the CDROM operates. Then open a second partition load the Windows 98SE make sure it runs with the Windows 98 and then delete the First partition. What do you think?

Or
Do the same operations as above using one of the free Linox. Is that possible?

I know that a friend of mine had two different operating system (I think 98 and 2000) loaded in one hard drive with two different partitions.

Or am I pushing the limits.