Travel Technology - My laptop doesn't take PC cards anymore

I braked suddenly to avoid a deer and my laptop bag flew forward... the laptop was damaged, in that there is a bent pin deep inside the PC card socket and, as a result, my data card no longer works. It appears there is no reasonable way to unbend the pin.

Can anybody suggest a workaround (such as a USB-based data card)?

First of all; what model machine is it? Some PCcard readers are mounted on a daughterboard which could be replaced. If you are really handy it wouldn't be too hard to open the machine, take the reader apart and fix the pin.

Secondly; there are some USB PCCard readers out there, what kind of data card were you using?

First of all; what model machine is it? Some PCcard readers are mounted on a daughterboard which could be replaced. If you are really handy it wouldn't be too hard to open the machine, take the reader apart and fix the pin.

Secondly; there are some USB PCCard readers out there, what kind of data card were you using?I have experience at such things. I did take the machine (an otherwise reliable and trustworthy Fujitsu N3410) completely apart and put it back together, losing only 2 screws in the process. It's welded in there like the manhole covers on Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day. I was using a Sprint/Novatel card which I have now donated: I am sick and tired of Sprint and am cancelling one line at a time.

I would take Scott's suggestion. Although I've fixed bent pins, it was in a shallower CF slot in a camera. This merchant may be able to sell you one:.

Ebay Fujitsu Parts (http://cgi.ebay.com/Fujitsu-LifeBook-N3410-Motherboard-CP267330-01-tested_W0QQitemZ120212935053QQihZ002QQcategoryZ187 92QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247 QQcmdZViewItem)

Can anybody suggest a workaround (such as a USB-based data card)?
You didn't say if the Novatel was an ExpressCard or a PC Card (Novatel makes both.) If ExpressCard, you need one of these. (http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/1948/64/)