I vaguely recall vague rumours that adapters with Ricoh chipsets returned good results, without supplemental drivers. However the recollection is so vague that I haven't been game to splurge on one to try out. As others point out, your PCMCIA cards will require their own drivers, and whatever hoodwinking and chicanery is necessary to install them on a desktop machine.

What brand/model is yours, Christopher?