Advice Pc World

traceya89

the only thing was the big sticker (as i recall as no longer have box) on both the shop floor model saying 4 in 1 reader which is why i bought the model, but the sticker was also on the model i got out of the box, which is obviously Compaq's mistake but as i bought the model from PC world they are responsible.

Ivan i am grateful for you letting me know about the readers. i want one that will stay in my computer rather than have external ones. ARe these easy to install as i am quite hopeless when it comes to things like this!

IvanOpinion

If the sticker was on the actual machine as it came out of the box then it would imply to me that there should be a card reader there somewhere. Is the sticker still on the machine or did you remove it? (sometimes it is placed just above where the card reader is) Without being cheeky or rude, are you aware of what you are looking for if not then take it into PC World who will definitely be able to tell you if there is one fitted (basically all it is is one or more horizontal slots maybe 1-2cm long somewhere around the outside edge of the laptop).

If there defintiely is NOT a card reader already present then double check with PC World if it will accept a PCMCIA card. The specification does say 'One type I or II PC card slot. CardBus-enabled' which is what we are looking for. The item I linked in my earlier post accepts 'Memory Stick, SmartMedia, MultiMedia and Secure Digital memory cards', does your camera definitely use one of these? The PCMCIA card is only about the size of a credit card and will plug into the side of your laptop (and can remain there ... it doesn't stick out, it actually pushes right into the side and will finish up flush with the outer casing).

Don't be put off by an external one thinking you wil have loads to carry about .. these things are tiny ... my brother has mine but I am guessing something about the size of a credit card and about 1 cm thick. They come with a bit of cable that will simply plug into one of the USB ports on your laptop (and don't worry you can not plug it in wrongly or into the wrong socket), thereafter Windows XP should automatically recognise it and you just have to put your cards into it (when you are finished with it you just unplug it until the next time) - note if you are using windows 98 then you may have to install a driver (it will come with the card).

[Edit] Just off the phone to my brother .. my external 12-in-1 reader is 85mm x 53mm x 12 mm and has about 43cm of USB cable.

Ivan