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16. Notes on using Laptops and CardBus
The HDSP system uses the notebook's PCMCIA type II port as CardBus interface. Compared
to a PC-Card, which only has access to the outdated ISA-bus, CardBus is a 32 bit PCI
interface. Like with a desktop system it's not possible to remove a PCI device while in
operation. First the operating system has to receive a ‚removal request', then the device has to
be stopped. Finally the card can be pulled out of the PCMCIA slot.
To remove the hardware click on the green arrow symbol in the
systray. It is possible to stop the HDSP directly, or to first call up
the info dialog by double clicking the symbol, and then stopping it.
When inserting the CardBus card it usually will be detected automatically by the notebook
hardware and then Windows. A double beep signals detection and removal. In rare cases
detection will fail. If so, simply remove the card and insert it again. On one of the tested
notebooks the card was never activated at Windows boot, but only when plugged in manually.
The problem vanished after a fresh install of Windows ME.
The Hammerfall DSP System was tested thoroughly on several notebooks by RME. Basically
our CardBus card operates with any notebook we have tested. But there were some significant
performance differences, and some laptops suffered from a very low data transfer rate of the
PC-Card controller. Detailed information on this can be found in the Tech Info HDSP System:
Notebook Tests – Compatibility and Performance.
The mobile operation of the HDSP system can cause problems. Explanations and solutions on
digital noise, ground loops, headphone operation and Line Out wiring, power supplies and the
mobile operation with battery can be found in the Tech Info HDSP System: Notebook Basics -
The Audio Notebook in Practise.
The hardware of a notebook differs in many points from that of a desktop computer –
sometimes...Detailed information on all components, from CPU to the display, can be found in
the Tech Info HDSP System: Notebook Basics – Notebook Hardware.
Why does your notebook behave completely different than your desktop? And how you can still
change it for good performance (not only audio performance)? Find answers to these and many
other questions about software tuning and installation, clicks under Win9x, the usage of the low
latency solution Windows 2000/XP, and the optimization of the memory bandwidth, in the Tech
Info HDSP System: Notebook Basics – Background Knowledge and Tuning.
User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME
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