PCMCIA Lan card question -EDITED- Problem solved

[Harrald]

I'm looking for a new PCMCIA Lan card for my sons (11) computer. Our hub is only 10-base so speed doesn't matter. He has ripped the old one out so many times I can't fix it anymore.

My question is

Is there a card that is a built a bit more sturdy? Kid proof if you will.


He's a kid and I can't blame him but I don't want to buy a new one every other month.

Thanks


-EDIT- I think I should have been more specific. It was the dongle that plugs into the the card the broke. The card is fine.

Thanks for all the help to this point. I'm moving in the right direction. I also may just order a couple of $15 cards. Still thinkin' .


Problem solved, thanks all

 

[jaywallen]

I can't think of any recommendations other than to suggest testing the PC Card slots themselves. They're more fragile than the cards are, and it's more likely that both cards and slots will be damaged during insertion than when being pulled out. There's no way to kid proof that type of equipment, unless and until the design of the equipment itself changes. If he's 11, he may be more capable than you think of appreciating the need for care when working with sensitive equipment, especially when it stops working and he can't get online. Maybe the best solution would be an external modem? Some of those are darned rugged, and the cables can be pretty substantial, too. Of course, it's not as convenient to use as a PC Card modem, but...

I hope you find a solution. When he was young my son used to "disassemble" new sneakers in the back seat of the car on the way home from the shoe store! You should have seen what he did with computers!!! I feel your pain!



Regards,
Jim

 

[Ladi]

I would suggest something like Xircom's Realport-style cards with either integrated or semi-integrated connectors so that there are no dongles to break or lose.

~Ladi

 

[cavingjan]

I agree that the cards themselves are pretty durable. Even when tossed around in search and rescue trucks and always being outside in the weather. Maybe you should consider a USB NIC. They are built to be a little more rugged. Why is he taking it out all the time? Maybe there is seomthing else we can do to avoid the removal part of the equation.

 

[Eug]

Linky

Or else you can get a USB one.

 

[cavingjan]

You could try a card with the xjack but I think that will be more fragile than a dongle. Good luck to you in this quest. I'm not sure what you will find. Can you get a bulk package of dongles? MAybe a three pack that could hold you over for a while. What part of the dongle is breaking?

 

[Harrald]

The portion that has broken is the part that plugs into the card. I have since my first post decided to just get a cheap $15 card so If it breaks I won't have to kill the lad.

My thinking is that if he breaks another one it's still cheaper than buying a $144 card.

Thanks for all the ideas folks.

 

[ozds]

Just explain the situation to him: this is a fragile piece of equipment, and if you break it again you will not be able to use it until you buy your own. 11 years is young, but not too young to learn to be responsible for their own actions...

 

[Harrald]

Trust me.......He's paying for this one. And if I'm in a real bad mood I may make him pay for the one he broke. But that is another thread for another forum.

Thanks again all.