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Error "Windows is not able to identify or use the inserted PC card device ..." When Using PCMCIA Devices

Hardware: GPIB>>Plug-in Controllers>>PCMCIA-GPIB, GPIB>>Plug-in Controllers>>PCMCIA-GPIB, GPIB>>Plug-in Controllers>>PCMCIA-GPIB+, GPIB>>Plug-in Controllers>>PCMCIA-488, Serial>>RS-232>>PCMCIA-232/4, Serial>>RS-232>>PCMCIA-232, Serial>>RS-232>>PCMCIA-232/2, Serial>>RS-232>>PCMCIA-232/4, Serial>>RS-485>>PCMCIA-485, Serial>>RS-485>>PCMCIA-485/2

Problem: For some undetermined reason, my PCMCIA device stopped working. After some unsuccessful troubleshooting, I rebooted the computer and received an error message stating:

"Windows is not able to identify or use the inserted PC card device because there is no memory area available to communicate with the device. You must make memory available before this device can be used. Check your computer's config.sys file for a memory manager that is excluding upper memory regions between A000 and FFFF."

What do I need to do?

Solution: This error can occur after moving the cards to different slots, or substituting other cards and replacing the original card. This Windows-related issue and not a problem with NI's drivers. To fix this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Reboot your PC into safe mode.
    1. Restart your computer
    2. While the PC is booting, repeatedly press F8.
    3. In the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select Safe Mode.

  2. After Windows has successfully loaded, open Device Manager.
    1. Right-click My Computer, choose Properties.
    2. Under the Hardware tab, click Device Manager

  3. Duplicate 'ghost' installs will be visible that are hidden while in normal mode. Most likely you will see more PCMCIA devices installed than should be. Simply remove all of the PCMCIA devices under device manager. They will be recognized and reinstalled upon the next boot.
    1. Right click the device and select Remove

  4. Reboot your PC into normal mode and Windows will automatically detect the PCMCIA slots.
  5. At this point, Windows may show a "Code 1" error (With a yellow exclamation point) by the device "PCMCIA Card Services" in the Device Manager. This is normal and it will disappear after the next reboot.
  6. Windows may prompt you to restart again. Reboot a second time, and Windows will detect and install the PCMCIA cards that are in the PCMCIA slots.
  7. The devices should function properly at this point.


Related Links: KnowledgeBase[0JI8A4RV]: Troubleshooting PCMCIA Installations in Windows 98/95

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Report Date: 08/29/2004
Last Updated: 09/01/2005
Document ID: 3CSGJMZH

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