Express2PCC Workaround for Some 16-bit R2 PC Card Issues

These instructions are for attempting to correct an issue sometimes seen when using some 16-bit PC Cards on modern systems via the ExpressCard 34 to PCMCIA PC CardBus 16/32-bit Read-Writer Express2PCC

SYMPTOMS

The R2 (PCMCIA Release 2.x) PC Card does not start, and you see the following error message in Device Manager:

This device is either not present, not working properly, or does not have all the drivers installed. (Code 10)

Try upgrading the device drivers for this device.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because some R2 PC Cards do not support interrupt request (IRQ) resource sharing. In The Windows XP or in Windows Vista, and perhaps Windows 7, 16-bit PC Card (PCMCIA) PCI readers can use R2 PC Cards (the 16-bit ISA type) without requiring an ISA runner paddle to obtain ISA interrupts.

RESOLUTION

All of the following procedures must by done under a user account with administrative permissions in order to work correctly.

To resolve this behavior, setting IRQ Route To PCI Controller to allow these PC Cards to function in laptop computers:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
2. Locate and click to select the following key in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\PCMCIA\Parameters
3. On the Edit menu, click New, click DWORD Value, type IrqRouteToPciController in the New Value box, and then press ENTER.
4. Click to select IrqRouteToPciController, click Edit, and then click Modify.
5. In the Value data box, type 8, and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

Alternatively, download the IrqRouteToPciController.reg (IrqRouteToPciController.zip) file. First unzip and then double click to add the entry to the registry. Quit the Registry Editor when done.

Registry prior to editing.

Registry after editing.

This procedure disables PCI routing for 16-bit PC Cards.

With this feature, you can successfully install 16-bit PC Cards on computers that are low on ISA interrupts by using a shared-PCI interrupt.