Search MilitaryCAC:

Site Map

MilitaryCAC.com logo

.com | .us | .ml  | .mobi | .net | .org


The Definitive Source for Everything CAC

Common Access Card help for your

Personal Computer

Make a Donation button image

 

 

 

STEP 1c & 2c:  CAC READERS FOR LAPTOP COMPUTERS

Installation Steps

Step 1: Obtain a CAC Reader
Step 2: CAC Reader driver
Step 3: DoD Certificates
Step 4: ActivClient (Optional)
Step 4a:  Update ActivClient
Step 5: IE adjustments / Video
Log into a CAC enabled webpage now to test
 
 

 

CAC Readers are available for your laptop.
 Click the pictures below to find online businesses selling it

 

NOTE:  'Most' new laptops do not have these slots anymore, so, if you are upgrading in the near future, I'd recommend you look for a USB type instead (like the first one shown below).

 

ONCE YOU'VE DECIDED WHICH READER YOU ARE GOING TO PURCHASE AND / OR DOWNLOADED THE DRIVER, PROCEED TO STEP 3

 

NOTICE:  The links to vendors / products is an attempt to save you time searching for the specific item, by linking you directly to the item shown.  You will notice I have multiple [when I can find] vendors to choose from.  I have no personal preference as to who you decide to purchase from.  I am not endorsing any particular product or vendor, I'm merely informing you what works and where you can purchase a CAC reader from.

 

These first 2 readers are not specifically for laptops, but are the smallest readers I've found.  Also, know that a lot of the newer laptops are not coming with PCMCIA or ExpressCard slots anymore, so USB is the way to go for future.

 

SCR-3500 mini CAC reader

SCR-3500 Smart fold mini USB Smart Card Reader

Mac Friendly

Note: There is another SCR-3500 reader being sold with a Part number different from the original 905141 (sometimes shows as SCR-3500A P/N:905430-1).  If you are a Mac user, install this updated driver Hold the control key [on your keyboard] when clicking the .pkg file [with your mouse], select [the word] Open

  Google Products logo   TXSystems logo

 

 

ACR38 Pocket Mate Smart Card reader image

ACR38U-TFC Pocket Mate Smart Card Reader

Information from manufacturer (including drivers)

Mac [10.5 - 10.10] friendly after this update (except when using Firefox)

  TXSystems logo

 

 

For computers with USB Type-C connections

ACR-39U-NF USB type C CAC Reader

ACR39U-NF Pocket Mate II Smart Card Reader

Information from manufacturer (including drivers)

Mac friendly after this update (except when using Firefox)

SCB-logo

 

 
If you have an available ExpressCard slot on your laptop, you can purchase one that will fit in the slot.
 

Gemplus Express card

 

Lenovo GemPlus ExpressCard Smart Card CAC Reader (works with XP, Vista, 7, 8 / 8.1, & 10)  Drivers available from Gemalto's website

  Google Products logo  

 

 Photo of SCR 3340 ExpressCard smart card reader

SCR 3340 ExpressCard CAC reader driver (includes Windows 8) FIRMWARE UPDATE follow instructions

 TXSystems logo

 

Picture of Cardman Mobile 4321 Express Card CAC reader

CardMan Mobile 4321 Mobile ExpressCard Smart Card CAC reader driver (works with Windows Vista & 7)  I hope you are not running one of these old Non support Windows Operating Systems)

  SCB-logo  TXSystems logo

 

 

Cherry SR-4300 ExpressCard CAC reader

Cherry SR-4300 ExpressCard CAC reader driver (works with Windows Vista & 7)

     Google Products logo

 

 

 

 
If your laptop slot looks like the one below, you have a PCMCIA slot not ExpressCard

 

Picture of SCR24 PCMCIA CAC reader

SCR243 PCMCIA Smart Card CAC reader driver  (now includes Windows 7)  FIRMWARE UPDATE look at instructions

      Google Products logo 

 

 

 

SCR201 image

SCR201 PCMCIA Smart Card CAC reader driver (now includes Windows 7) FIRMWARE UPDATE look at instructions

     Google Products logo

 

SR-4044 PCMCIA Smart Card reader

 

SR-4044 PCMCIA Smart Card reader driver

  Google Products logo

 

 

  

Instructions for a successful installation of the CAC Reader drivers

"Antique" Readers

The manufacturers have abandoned support for these readers. 

Use at your own risk!!

.

.

The CAC readers below "might" work with Windows XP but NOT Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, or Mac OS X.  This is partly because they will not read the PIV II CACs (GEMALTO TOP DL GX4 144, GEMALTO DLGX4-A 144, G&D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2, and Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual) and they [the manufacturers] haven't provided any firmware updates to read the newer CACs.

The simplest solution is for you is to get a modern vendor supported CAC reader above this section

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Geplus GPR400 PCMCIA CAC reader

 

GemPlus GPR400 PCMCIA Smart Card reader  32 bit driver  64 bit driver  alternate driver

Windows XP users may need this driver

Alternate driver download locations:

 

Envoy Data

 

SCM Microsystems

 

HID Global

 

 

OTHER TYPES OF READERS TO CONSIDER

 

Desktop computer reader

Desktop computer CAC reader image

 

External USB type A CAC reader

External USB CAC reader image

 

External USB type C CAC reader

ACR-39U-NF USB type C CAC Reader

 

USB keyboards with built-in CAC reader

CAC enabled keyboard image

 

If you have questions or suggestions for this site, contact Michael J. Danberry

Disclaimer

 

ACRONYM Reference Page

 

GoDaddy Site Certified seal

 

Last Update or Review:  Sunday, 03 April 2022 13:01 hrs

 

The following domain names all resolve to the same website:  ChiefsCACSite.com, CommonAccessCard.us, CommonAccessCard.info, & ChiefGeek.us