What Happens if I Force a CardBus Card into a PC Card Slot?

Answer

Extensive testing by PCMCIA standards developers, as well as system and peripheral manufacturers, makes it extremely unlikely that even a card forced into the wrong type slot will cause any damage, but it is NOT a good idea to try it. Even if the unique CardBus frame keying is bypassed, special pin lengths and socket configurations in the 68-pin connector used by CardBus devices ensure that inappropriate 5V signals cannot damage the adapter.

Although the CardBus device will not damage the PC Card slot, the CardBus adapter will not function in the PC Slot.

Please check with your laptop manufacturer to verify that your hardware is compatible with CardBus adapters.

Doc ID: N100052.asp