PCMCIA and USB on A1200, would it work?

[Argus]

I been having some fun finding out compact flash and wireless work on my A1200's pcmcia slot thanks to some clever programmers out there.  While doing some checking on Type II pcmcia cards, I noticed that there are quite a few pcmcia cards available with USB ports. Does anyone know if someone has written a driver for such a card and if the Poseidon USB stack would work with it?  It would be a really cheap way to add USB to the A1200/A600 without opening the case and could sell a lot of copies of Poseidon too.  I know you can add a Subway USB controller onto the internal clockport but a PCMCIA USB card would save the internal clockport for something else (like my SilverSurfer) and make it easier to attach USB peripherals only when you need them (like a printer, etc.).

[klesterjr]

Those are actually "PC Cards" which is sort of a 32-bit version of PCMCIA -- you can't use a 32 bit "PC Card" in a 16 bit "PCMCIA" slot. However, you "can" use the PCMCIA cards in PC Card slots.

[Matt_H]

If a 16-bit PCMCIA USB card exists, all that would be needed is a driver.

[klesterjr]

Where?

I looked long and hard for one when I had my CTX notebook (without usb) and was told that they didn't exist.

--------

edit: Whoops! I thought you said that one "did" exist. Got to pay more attention.

[ncafferkey]

No, unfortunately 16-bit USB cards don't appear to exist, which is a little strange given that they could handle the bandwidth of USB 1.1 (on a PC laptop if not an Amiga).

klesterjr wrote:
Those are actually "PC Cards" which is sort of a 32-bit version of PCMCIA -- you can't use a 32 bit "PC Card" in a 16 bit "PCMCIA" slot. However, you "can" use the PCMCIA cards in PC Card slots.

The term "PC Card" actually covers both 16- and 32-bit cards. 32-bit cards are known as CardBus cards.

[Argus]

@ncafferkey

That's too bad about no 16-bit usb cards.  The same thing probably applies then to Firewire, etc.  Funny how there are WiFi 16-bit cards (I'm using a LinkSys one with the excellent driver you wrote...job well done!!!).

@klesterjr

Thanks for the info.  I'm not giving up the search though, maybe there is a card out there???

[adolescent]

The Subway supports Serial->USB and adapters, so it should be able to do what your SilverSurfer does.

[Gringueiro]

I had the same idea! These PCMCIA USB cards are easy to find here in Brazil, but they are all the 32 bit cardbus variety. I will try to find a 16 bit one and then look for drivers for the Amiga, but it seems difficult if not impossible to find. One possibility that I found on the internet is a compact flash card to USB 1.1 converter for PDA's sold by ratoc systems in Japan. See their web page at http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/subpages/cfu1u.html
In theory you would need a compact flash card to PCMCIA adapter and then plug in this card. I haven't actually tried this, so all bets are off but who knows?

[srg86]

Otherwise, there is a USB controller that you can connect to your clock port header, then route the USB socket to the blanking plate on the back.

I can't remember where you get them from though.

srg

[Argus]

srg86 wrote:
Otherwise, there is a USB controller that you can connect to your clock port header, then route the USB socket to the blanking plate on the back.

I can't remember where you get them from though.

srg

Subway from e3b.

[Gringueiro]

Actually there seem to be at least three of these Compact Flash USB cards on the market - follow the link to get details and a comparison:
http://www.twin-paradox.com/comparison.html
In principle, compact flash is just a miniature version of the 16 bit PCMCIA standard, so a compact flash card connected to a PCMCIA converter (just converts the 50 pin compact flash card to 68 pin PCMCIA) should work. Just bear in mind that the compact flash USB cards were build with PDAs in mind and not this purpose, so someone will have to write appropriate drivers....

[leirbag28]

@Gringueiro

You know what?   I think that Card could work!!!!

I might get it!

[adonay]

Reamember to post around the forum when you get the drivers all worked around :-D

I will be interested..

adonay :-)

[Gringueiro]

Curtis from Twin Paradox replied to my e-mail (friendly and helpful guy - e-mail: cfusbhost@twin-paradox.com) and told me that a few years ago they developed a 16 bit PCMCIA USB card, but Microsoft wouldn't lisence it due to the "upgrade" from Windows 98 to Windows ME, so they scrapped the project after it was ready to produce! I tried to persuade him to resurrect the project, but without success. Maybe a few more Amiga users contacting them will make them realise the financial possibilities and reconsider... :-)

[amigakit]

Yes, the Subway USB card is a good (available) USB solution for the A1200 and the A600 with a clockport adapter.

I would wonder how fast a 16-bit CF-based USB port would be.  Also would there be enough power over the PCMCIA port, probably need a powered mini-USB hub otherwise you would put too much power strain on the A1200's mainboard.