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My laptop's PCMCIA socket connection is loose and requires you to press hard underneath the laptop to get a connection. I *think* the problem may be a strip of metallic tape on the motherboard having lost its stickiness (due to age and/or dust).

Can I do anything about this?

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That's the gist of it, here are full details:

The PCMCIA wireless card only establishes electrical connection when you press on the laptop from below in a certain spot. I mean, you do that to get the card's Power light to go on. Once it's on, internet connections are fine -- so it's a hardware problem, not a networking problem.

I took laptop apart: PCMCIA socket does not appear even minutely loose.

Took off the mini PCI door located underneath laptop (similar to the RAM door) and noticed, almost exactly at the point where you gotta press (when the door's attached) to get the card to connect, a 2mm-wide strip of foil tape that was a tiny bit loose.

Blew dust off, gently pressed it back down. Now the card stays connected better, though still easily loses contact.

Coincidence? Or did I find the root of the problem - and if so, what can I do about it?

Compaq Presario 2100


many thanks

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Dani AI

Generated

As discovered, an intermittent PCMCIA connection that improves when pressure is applied near the RAM hatch often points at a local mechanical or grounding/shielding problem rather than a software issue. Many laptop manufacturers use narrow metal foil strips under service covers either as EMI/shielding grounds or as thin shims to keep cards aligned; if that strip loses adhesion or conductivity it can change the card's seating or the ground reference and cause the exact symptoms described.

A sensible, low-risk diagnostic sequence is:

  1. Power down, remove battery and AC, and observe ESD precautions.
  2. Visually inspect the foil for tears, corrosion or adhesive failure; clean gently with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free swab.
  3. Check electrical continuity (multimeter continuity or low-ohms) between the foil and the PCMCIA shell or motherboard ground. Continuity means the foil is functioning as conductive shielding/ground.
  4. Try a known-good PCMCIA card or test the card in another laptop to rule out a bad card. While testing, note whether gentle pressure causes visible movement of the socket or its solder joints.

If the foil is conductive and found to be the issue, reattachment with conductive EMI/copper-foil tape (or a tiny amount of conductive epoxy at the contact points) restores both electrical and mechanical function. If the foil is non-conductive (just adhesive), replacing it with non-conductive tape only restores spacing, not any lost grounding. Persistent intermittency after reseating usually indicates worn socket contacts or a cracked/cold solder joint; that typically requires socket replacement or reflowing solder and is best handled by someone experienced with micro-soldering. Avoid superglue or ad-hoc adhesives near contacts, and consider a USB Wi-Fi adapter as a low-risk workaround if repair is not desirable.

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CORRECTION:

The metallic tape that I pressed down on was under the RAM door, not the mini PCI door.

(sorry, wish I could've just edited the post but AFAIK Daniweb won't let you do that if more than half an hour has passed since posting.)

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