Microsoft KB Archive/163169

= Windows NT Does Not Recognize Second PCMCIA Network Adapter =

Article ID: 163169

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

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This article was previously published under Q163169



SYMPTOMS
When you have multiple identical PCMCIA (PC Card) network adapters installed, Windows NT recognizes only the first adapter.



CAUSE
This is a limitation of the NDIS support layer in Windows NT. This limitation does not exist with PCI, EISA, ISA, and MCA network adapters.



RESOLUTION
To use multiple PC Card network adapters simultaneously, the adapters must not be identical. PC Card network adapters from different manufacturers, or different models from the same manufacturer, work correctly.



MORE INFORMATION
The optional parameters in the database inform Pcmcia.sys how the slot is to be configured. This configuration information is required because most network adapters do not specify the correct information. The following parameters are valid in this section:

AttributeMemorySize: REG_DWORD: Size

CardMemorySize: REG_DWORD: Size

This information is stored in the driver section of the registry. Because only a single set of optional parameters can be associated with a PC Card adapter, only one card of a particular type can be used.

