Any problems with USB-port PCMCIA cards and USB Floppy Drives?

DreameR-X · 05-12-2005, 09:09 PM

'Just got my Dell 600m. I'm going to leave it alone until I graduate (2 weeks!), but I noticed there's no floppy drive and if I'm going to be abusing the two USB slots for an optical mouse and a floppy drive...I'll need 4 more USB ports for other crap! Any problems with getting either of these devices to work in Linux (Slackware specifically)? Thanks ahead!
-Galen

Matir · 05-12-2005, 09:29 PM

I've successfully used USB floppy drives many times, no problems whatsoever. I can't remember if they show up as a /dev/sd? scsi drive, or do get mapped to fd*. I think with devfs, it's the former, and with udev, the latter.

As far as USB pcmcia cards... should probably work, as far as I know... but have you considered a USB hub?

DreameR-X · 05-12-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matir
but have you considered a USB hub?

I'm not sure that I know the difference. Enlighten me!

-Galen

Matir · 05-12-2005, 10:07 PM

A USB hub is just a device that essentially "splits" a USB port. Essentially, one port becomes (usually) 4. A USB 2.0 hub usually runs about $12-20, making it much cheaper than a PCMCIA card (and leaves your PCMCIA slot(s) open!)

DreameR-X · 05-13-2005, 07:11 AM

Any disadvantages?
-Galen

Matir · 05-13-2005, 10:00 PM

Some USB hubs do not provide enough power for 'powered' USB devices (hard drives and so forth). Though, I believe PCMCIA cards also lack this capability. I have never had a problem with things such as mice, webcams, keyboards, jump/thumb drives, card readers, etc.

DreameR-X · 05-14-2005, 12:40 AM

Alrighty, thank you so much. Any brands that work GREAT with Linux, or are they all pretty equal? Thanks again!
-Galen

Matir · 05-14-2005, 12:53 PM

I have never had any problem with any USB hub under linux. 100% plug and play.

DreameR-X · 05-14-2005, 01:09 PM

Perfect. Case closed. Thanks a LOT!
-Galen

Matir · 05-14-2005, 01:37 PM

No problem. Good luck.