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Many recent notebook computers with built-in modem and network ports use a reduced- size version of the PCI add-on card standard known as mini- PCI to support these ports. There are three major types of mini-PCI cards:
Type I and Type II cards use a 100-pin stacking connector that plugs directly into the system board. Type II cards, unlike Type I cards, have network or modem connectors built into the card. Type III, which uses an edge connector, has become the most popular of the three formats. Like Type I, Type III mini- PCI cards do not incorporate RJ-11 (modem) or RJ-45 (Ethernet network) connectors; Type I and Type III mini-PCI cards use modem and network connectors built into the system. Although mini-PCI cards can be replaced, they are not available at retail stores; they must be purchased from the portable computer supplier because they are customized to the characteristics of a particular product family. Mini-PCI cards are used to configure different models of a particular portable computer with different features. Because mini-PCI cards can be replaced , this enables you to replace a failed or outdated network/modem component without replacing the entire motherboard.
Figure 12.8 shows a typical Type III mini-PCI modem card and connector compared to a typical Type II PC Card. Figure 12.8. A typical mini-PCI Type III modem (left) compared to a typical PC Card Type II network adapter (right).
Installing and Removing Mini-PCI CardsTo remove a Type III mini-PCI card, follow this procedure:
To install a mini-PCI card
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