3Com PCMCIA NIC

[Sgt Beavis]

Just remember, I might know Winblowz but I'm a n00b with the Penguin.

Anyways, I decided to install RedHat 7.2 on my IBM A21m laptop yesterday. I have to admit I was impressed at how well everything went. Right now, only my sound isn't working but I've got a handle on what to do about that so it's cool.

My real issue is with my 3Com 3CXFE575BT Megahertz PCMCIA NIC. This is one of the Xjack NICs.

My linux bible (my guide in life this week) told me to shut my Laptop down, insert the card and boot up. I did that but the machine goes through the system checks at bootup and locks when it gets to PCMCIA. I rebooted and removed the card, every thing jived. While logged in, I inserted the card and the machine locked up (OH **** IM THINKING). However just popping out the card returned the penguin book to a normal operating condition (whew).

Anyone got some advice for installing this damn NIC? Please be detailed in your explanation because like I said, I'm a n00b ;)


Don't *f-bomb* with the beav Ward.

[ph34r]

You may need the latest pcmcia tools package.

[mdwatts]

I have very little knowledge/experience with Linux and pcmcia, soooo it's off to Google for a little searching.

You could try this page (http://hardware.linuxfaqs.de/view.php?tab=cards&ctype=Network) as it does list your 3Com model as being supported and also a link to the main pcmcia site where you will find the latest packages and documentation to assist you in getting it working.

I would also try Redhat's own support/documentation at their site to see if they have anything specific for setting up pcmcia services for their own distro.

Does lsmod show any of the pcmcia modules as being loaded?

[Sgt Beavis]

I looked all over google without much luck. I checked the linux laptop site and found several references to my laptop but with diffrent NICs and no issues. So I've said, "screw it" and bought a Netgear NIC a few minutes ago. It has Linux drivers with it.

However I still want to fix this issue. IF I can get my 3Com working, I can take this NetGear NIC back to Best Buy.

[mdwatts]

Do you happen to know what driver/modules the 3Com uses?

Does lsmod show any modules being loaded for pcmcia/ethernet?

My default .config from the stock 2.4.13 kernel has

#
# PCMCIA/CardBus support
#
CONFIG_PCMCIA=m
CONFIG_CARDBUS=y
CONFIG_I82092=y
CONFIG_I82365=y
CONFIG_TCIC=y

and

#
# PCMCIA network device support
#
CONFIG_NET_PCMCIA=y
CONFIG_PCMCIA_3C589=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_3C574=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_FMVJ18X=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_PCNET=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_NMCLAN=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_SMC91C92=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_XIRC2PS=m
CONFIG_ARCNET_COM20020_CS=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_IBMTR=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_XIRCOM=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_XIRTULIP=m
CONFIG_NET_PCMCIA_RADIO=y
CONFIG_PCMCIA_RAYCS=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_NETWAVE=m
CONFIG_PCMCIA_WAVELAN=m
CONFIG_AIRONET4500_CS=m

available. Anything there that looks like it is for the 3Com?

Have you checked 3Com's site for Linux drivers?