Startech CardBus-PCMCIA-to-PCI-Adapter-Card issue with PE6R4-I

Product: PE6R4-I

Computer: Desktop

Operating System: N/A

Application: Universal PCI CardBus-PCMCIA-to-PCI-Adapter-Card by STartech

http://www.startech.com/1-Port-CardBus-PCMCIA-to-PCI-Adapter-Card~P...

Problem:

When the CardBus-PCMCIA-to-PCI-Adapter-Card by STartech is plugged in the Magma PE6R4-I power immediately shuts down when it is turned on.

Problem Found:

Found out that the vio (voltage input/output) of Startcech PCI card is wired to its 5v pin connector and our PE6R4-I slots for vio supports only 3.3V.

Explanation 1: The Startech card incorrectly drives VIO to 5V instead of accepting VIO from the slot. The PE6R4 operates at 3.3V signal. The Startech cards shorts the +5 and 3.3V rails.

Explanation 2: The Startech PCI card is operating on a 5V signaling environment through it's Vio pins and the PE6R4 operates at a 3.3 V signal. The output signal of the card is dependent on the Vio pins.

Solution:

Use the 7slot 32bit PCI expansion chassis or 13slot PCi Expansion unit.

Test Result:

Startech Adapter card (PCI2PCMCIA1E) with different expansion chassis units and here are the results below

*Fail

1. 6slot 64bit pE6R4-I, keyed 3.3v pci slot

2. 3slot 64bit (magenta sys model), keyed 3.3v pci slot

**Pass

1. 2slot 64bit, keyed 3.3v pci slot

2. 2slot 64bit, keyed 5v pci slot

3. 4slot 32bit, keyed 5v pci slot

4. 7slot 32bit, keyed 5v pci slot

5. 13slot 32bit, keyed 5v pci slot