ExpressCard/34 and Boot Camp

Question

ExpressCard/34 and Boot Camp

I have replaced a Dell laptop with an early 2008 MBP 15", and due to some PC-only software for the office, I have to use Windoze via Boot Camp. However, for my telephone system software, the only way to hook up to the phone system is via a serial DB9 port, which my MBP does not have, of course. I just ordered an ExpressCard with a DB9 port on it, however after I did I began to wonder if Windows would recognize the slot via Boot Camp, and I haven't seen anything from Apple saying it will work. I was wondering if anyone has had success with using cards via Boot Camp.

MBP 15" Early 2008, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Oct 29, 2008 6:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

etrehus

Level 1

10 points

Nov 3, 2008 2:43 PM in response to David R. Boag DDS

Hi David,

I have just tried the Express 3/4 wireless card from Ubitquiti. After booting up in Bootcamp, and inserting the card, I did not receive the "Found New Hardware" dialog. I am unable to find the device in the device manager. It appears that bootcamp may not support the Express 3/4 card slot.

I can see when I boot OS X that the card is recognized, but it does not have a driver for it. So I know the H/W appears to be functional.

Eric

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Answer 2

etrehus

Level 1

10 points

Nov 5, 2008 7:16 PM in response to etrehus

Hi David,

In subsequent experimentation, I am finding that if the card is inserted when I bootup with bootcamp, then the expresscard/34 is recognized. However if I insert the card after having been booted, the card does not get recognized.

Eric

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Answer 3

Nov 6, 2008 4:16 PM in response to etrehus

I've got a similar issue, with a jmicron based esata card.

after lots, and lots of experimenting, I've determined it must be a firmware/bios issue with the nvidia chipset and new macbooks. The card won't even work on vista at all, with a code 12 error, but will work in XP, but hot plugging does not work at all, no recognition, and if you safely remove the device it will not be recognised as removed, or reinserted. It works perfectly fine under OS X, so the hardware is clearly capable of it.

It also works perfectly well on a non unibody Macbook Pro. Looks to me like apple need to get an EFI update out there.

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Answer 4

Aug 16, 2009 11:05 AM in response to David R. Boag DDS

TO any still interested, I WAS able to buy, install, and use an Express/34 Serial DB9 adapter and use it via Windows and Boot Camp. If anyone needs details on brand/model, you can contact me privately.

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