Card Setup
Card and Socket Services must be loaded on the system prior to installing the PC-SIO-232 card. Card and
Socket Services are supplied by the PCMCIA slot provider (i.e., the computer manufacturer or the PC
adapter manufacturer). These may be in the form of a third party add-on Card and Socket service
(e.g., CardSoft’s CardWizard) or with your current operating system (e.g., Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP).
Socket Services are the lowest level of the PCMCIA Software hierarchy. Socket Services provide a standard
interface to the higher-level drivers and isolate the socket controller’s specific hardware details. Socket
Services provide the ‘BIOS’interface to the socket controller hardware. Socket Services are typically hidden
under Card Services and are rarely directly accessible by application software.
Card Services provide the interface to application software and drivers. Card Services are responsible for
allocating card resources and ensuring that card resources do not interfere with other existing system
resources. Card Services are typically implemented as a driver. Almost all PCMCIA type cards require some
sort of software driver. In the case of the PC-SIO-232, the generic Card Services driver supplied with the
computer system should provide adequate support for most applications. A DOS ‘Enabler’ is also provided
for older systems in which the Generic Enabler is not adequate. Please refer to Appendix C for information
on the SEAPC enabler and the diagnostic tool SSEnable.
Connecting the PC-SIO-232 to the computer requires no special technical skills. In fact, it is usually done
by following a few simple steps:
1. Begin by locating, selecting, and installing the correct software from the Sealevel software driver
database.
2. Select the Part Number (3603) for your adapter from the listing.
3. Select “Download Now” for the SeaCOM for Windows.’ The setup file will automatically detect the
operating environment and install the proper components. Next (depending on your browser)
select the ‘Run this program from its current location’ or ‘Open’ option. Follow the information
presented on the screens that follow.
4. Simply slide the card into a PCMCIA Type II compliant slot on the personal computer. The PCMCIA
slot is keyed so that the PC-SIO-232 cannot be installed backwards or upside down. The card
should install with a minimal amount of pressure. Do not force the card into the slot. Forcing the
card can result in damage to the PC-SIO-232 or to the PCMCIA slot. After the card has been installed
into the PCMCIA slot, the I/O cable should be connected to the card. The cable is also keyed to
prevent it from being installed incorrectly.
