[1970] in linux-net channel archive
3C509 sneaky problem
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jimmy Pendley)
Sat Feb 24 21:02:51 1996
From: Jimmy Pendley <pendley@imperial.cc.ca.us>
To: linux-net@vger.rutgers.edu
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 96 15:54:23 PST
I have the good fortune of getting to order and setup(play with) 2 new
servers for my college. I put on Linux Craftworks2 with support for 3C509,
but the kernel didn't recognize it and ifconfig said it didn't exist. I
checked th manual since I ordered this card rather than a generic since
most said they had no problem with it. After RTFM and checking cables, etc
I found the answer on the 3Com disk of drivers (readme.1st). It seems that
once this card "sees" WIN95 setup, it kicks into the plug and play mode and
stays there no matter what OS is operating. Thus it was waiting for WIN95 to
plug it. There is a special program on the disk to disable this situation and
make the card dumb again. I did this , booted upfrom dos ( loadlin) and all
went well- card was recognized. When the machines were purchased, I guess the
supplier had WIN95 on it and when he sold it for a server, he deleted it, but
the card remembered or something. I wonder if other NIC suppliers are doing the
same? Imagine buying a card from someone, and it works in their WIN95 machine
but not in your linux box. Thought you might be interested.
Jim Pendley
pendley@imperial.cc.ca.us
