Problems with Trimble GPS Pathfinder XC connecting to Tablet

I am new to this forum and using GPS with a tablet PC. I have a Dell Latitude XP tablet PC (Windows XP OS) and a Trimble GPS Pathfinder XC receiver. This system will be used in conjunction with ArcGIS. The Pathfinder plugs into a CF reader; since the Dell only has an ExpressCard slot, I got an EC to CF reader, per Trimble's directions. I also went to the to the Trimble support page and downloaded the drivers and instructions for using the EC/CF adapter and installing on XP. When I plugged in the Trimble, my computer only recognized the CF reader but did not recognize the GPS receiver. The light on the receiver does come on and stays solid.

The "new hardware" dialogue did not pop up per Trimble's directions, however the CF reader itself automatically installed. The GPS receiver did not show up under the Device Manager under Ports either. The CF reader does work, I am able to read CF cards with no problem, so that leads me to believe the EC slot is also working. I also tried installing the driver without the hardware, so it now shows up on the Device Manager but with an error "Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware (Code 37)". My computer still does not recognize the receiver.

Has anyone had this problem before with using a CF GPS unit on a laptop/tablet and do you have any fixes or suggestions? Is this a setting issue in Windows XP or Device Manager?

I would like to get this to work first but if it is a lost cause, then do you have any suggestions for a GPS receiver to use with a tablet PC and ArcGIS?

I appreciate any help, Thanks!

Is there a setting on the Trimble which controls its output of data to the cf card? I would start your testing on a laptop that does have a cf card slot. Once you are assured that it is working, then move on to your laptop and the additional hardware adapter.

Terry

I took a quick look at the data sheet for the XC. It is for Windows Pocket PC, Windows Mobile or Windows CE.NET. Did you get specific software and drivers from Trimble to use it with Windows XP or Vista or is your tablet running Windows CE?

Terry

Thanks for the reply; The Trimble website does provide drivers and instructions for running on XP, Vista, 2000, etc, which I downloaded (I'm on XP). However, the instructions for the install relies on XP automatically recognizing the hardware is attached. I've tried this on my tablet and laptop and neither recognized the Trimble receiver, just the CF reader. The CF reader works fine with reading CF cards so I don't think there is a problem there. There are no switches on the Trimble receiver or flash card reader, it all relies on XP recognizing it. I have also tried installing the XP driver without the hardware, but XP still does not recognize the receiver when it is connected. I don't have any machines with a CF card reader built in to try this out on. I had Dell look at it and they even replaced the mother board thinking that was the issue but still no fix, they are stumped by the problem.