3Com (R) Corporation
EtherDisk (R) Diskette for the
3C90x EtherLink 10/100 PCI NIC Family
Windows 95 Installation and Peer-to-Peer Networking Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This file describes how to install an EtherLink NIC in a PC
running Windows 95. It also describes how to:
Update EtherDisk software.
Remove the NIC driver and EtherDisk software.
Troubleshoot installation problems.
Use Windows 95 peer-to-peer networking.
NOTE: For instructions on upgrading a PC from Windows 95
to Windows 98 that already has an EtherLink NIC installed,
see the WIN98.TXT file on EtherDisk diskette 3.
First-Time Installation
------------------------
The NDIS 3/4 drivers for Windows 95 are the 32-bit driver version that
Windows 95 uses as the default driver. The NDIS 2.0 driver is the real-
mode 16-bit driver. The actual driver files that 3Com supplies are:
EL90XND3.SYS (NDIS 3 driver)
EL90XND4.SYS and EL90XBC4.SYS (NDIS 4 driver)
EL90X.DOS (NDIS 2 driver)
Some versions of Windows 95 do not have a built-in driver for the
EtherLink NICs. In any case, it's best to install the latest driver
using the EtherDisk diskettes that came with the NIC.
The 3Com EtherDisk diskettes 1 and 2 and the Windows 95 installation
files are needed during the installation.
To install the NIC in a PC running Windows 95:
1. Install the NIC in the PC, as described in the user guide,
2. Turn on the power to the PC.
Windows 95 detects the NIC. Depending on the version of Windows 95
that you have installed, the New Hardware Found dialog box appears
or the Update Device Driver Wizard starts.
NOTE: If Windows 95 detects the NIC but starts copying files right
away without prompting you for a diskette, you have an existing
version of the driver already installed on your PC. To update
the driver, reboot the PC, and then follow the instructions in the
"Updating EtherDisk Software" section below.
If Windows 95 does not detect the NIC at startup, the PC may
have installed a "Generic PCI Ethernet" driver (see the
"Troubleshooting" section below), or Plug and Play mode may
have been disabled. In this case:
a. Double-click the Add New Hardware icon in the Windows
Control Panel.
b. Continue to click Next until Windows 95 asks if you want
it to search for new hardware.
c. Click No, and then click Next.
d. Choose Network Adapters in the Hardware Types menu, and
then click Next.
e. Click Have Disk, and insert EtherDisk diskette 1. Go to
Step 3 when prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
If the New Hardware Found dialog box appears:
a. Select Driver from Disk Provided by Hardware Manufacturer,
and then click OK.
b. Insert the EtherDisk diskette 1 in drive A, and then click OK.
c. Go to Step 3 when prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
If the Update Device Driver Wizard starts:
a. Insert the EtherDisk diskette 1 in drive A, and then click Next.
c. Click Finish, and then click OK when prompted for EtherDisk
diskette 1.
d. Go to Step 3 when prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
3. Remove EtherDisk diskette 1, insert EtherDisk diskette 2, and then
click OK.
Files are copied. You are prompted for the Windows 95 installation
files.
4. Insert the Windows 95 CD, and then click OK.
Windows copies files from the Windows 95 installation media. You
are prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
5. Make sure that EtherDisk diskette 2 is in drive A, and then click
OK.
Files are copied. You are prompted to restart the PC.
6. Remove EtherDisk diskette 2 from drive A, and then click Yes to
restart the PC.
7. Open the Windows Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel.
8. Double-click the Network icon.
9. Examine the Network Configuration. The default network setup for
Windows 95 contains the following five components:
Client for Microsoft Network
Client for NetWare Networks
3Com EtherLink 10/100Mb Ethernet NIC
IPX/SPX Compatible Protocol
NetBEUI
10. If any of the components are missing and are required for your
network, add them by clicking the Add button.
To add a protocol:
a. Select the protocol and click Add.
b. In the Select Network Protocol window, select the vendor
in the left pane. In the right pane, select the protocol
and click OK.
To add a client:
a. Select the client and click Add.
b. In the Select Network Client window, select Microsoft in the
left pane.
c. Select the client in the right pane.
d. Click OK.
11. The NDIS 3/4 driver is installed by default. Go to Step 12 if
you want to use the NDIS 3/4 driver.
To install the NDIS 2.0 driver:
a. Click on the 3Com EtherLink NIC, and then click Properties.
b. On the Driver Type tab, click Real mode (16 bit) NDIS Driver.
c. Click OK.
12. Shut down Windows and reboot the PC.
Updating EtherDisk Software
---------------------------
If you are currently using a version of EtherDisk software that is older
than the software on this EtherDisk, follow the instructions below
to properly update the driver and the Windows-based 3Com NIC diagnostic
software.
Note that the instructions below do not apply to Windows 95 versions
Earlier than OSR2. To update your driver in earlier versions of Windows 95,
you must first remove the driver and EtherDisk software (see instructions
below), and then re-install the software by following the instructions for a
first-time installation (see instructions above).
Windows 95 (OSR2)
-----------------
To update the driver and diagnostic software on a PC running
Windows 95 OSR2:
1. Open the Windows Start menu, select Settings, and then
Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon, and then select the
Device Manager tab.
3. Double-click Network adapters.
4. Highlight the 3Com EtherLink NIC, and then click Properties.
5. Select the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
The Update Driver Wizard starts.
6. Select "No, Select driver from list," and then click Next.
The Select Device screen appears.
7. Click Have Disk.
The Install from disk screen appears.
8. Insert EtherDisk diskette 1 drive A, and then click OK.
The Select Device screen appears.
9. Click OK.
Files are copied. You are prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
10. Remove EtherDisk diskette 1, insert EtherDisk diskette 2,
and then click OK.
Files are copied. You are prompted for the Windows 95 CD.
11. Insert the Windows 95 CD, and then click OK.
Files are copied. You are prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
12. Make sure that EtherDisk diskette 2 is in drive A, and then
click OK.
The 3Com EtherLink NIC Properties screen appears.
13. Click Close.
The System Properties screen appears.
14. Click Close.
15. Shut down Windows and reboot the PC.
After the PC reboots, the new network driver and software are
ready to use.
Removing the NIC Driver and EtherDisk Software
----------------------------------------------
To remove the NIC driver and software:
1. Double-click the My Computer icon, then the Control Panel icon,
and then the System icon.
2. Click the Device Manager tab.
3. Double-click Network adapters.
4. Highlight the 3Com EtherLink NIC.
5. Click Remove.
6. Click OK to confirm the device removal.
You are prompted to restart the PC.
If you are physically removing the NIC from the PC, click No.
Do not restart the PC until you shut down the PC, turn the
power off, and remove the NIC from the PC.
If you are reinstalling the NIC software, click Yes to restart
the PC.
Troubleshooting Tips
--------------------
1. If an error message appears during the installation, stating that
the .INF file cannot be found in the specified location, verify
that Windows 95 is looking at the correct location. The file
should be in the root directory of the 3Com EtherDisk diskette 1.
The filename is W95EL90X.INF.
If the W95El90X.INF file is missing, download the file from one of
3Com's download sites (such as the World Wide Web or FTP site), and
make sure that you expand it properly. See the SUPPORT.TXT file on this
diskette for more information.
2. If Windows 95 does not detect new hardware after you install the NIC
and power on the PC, the system may have installed a "Generic PCI Ethernet"
driver. In this case:
a. Double-click on the System icon in the Windows Control Panel.
b. Select the Device Manager tab.
c. Under Network adapters, the 3Com EtherLink driver appears with a
yellow exclamation in front of it.
d. Under Other Devices, a PCI Ethernet Controller appears with a
question mark in front of it.
e. Highlight the PCI Ethernet Controller under Other Devices,
and then click Remove.
f. Select Yes if prompted to confirm the removal of the device.
g. Select No if prompted to restart the PC.
h. Highlight the 3Com EtherLink NIC under Network adapters,
and then click Remove.
i. Select Yes if prompted to confirm removal of this device.
j. Select No prompted to restart the PC.
k. Click OK to save all changes.
l. Restart the computer.
3. To verify that the actual NDIS driver was copied to your Windows 95
system, compare the date of the driver .SYS file in the
directory of your hard drive with the date of the one in the root
directory of the 3Com EtherDisk diskette 2. The dates should be the
same.
General Overview of Peer-to-Peer Networking
-------------------------------------------
In a peer-to-peer network, a relationship exists between two or more "like"
computers. Each computer may make portions of its devices (such as disk
drives, CD-ROM drive, and printers) available to other computers on the
network. You can decide what to make available to other users. When you
share a disk drive or folder, you also need to decide if you want to grant
other users the right to store and change information on your drive or
folder.
The general characteristics of a peer-to-peer network are:
The network provides the capability to share resources with any computer on
the network. When you share resources, your computer acts as a server for
all other computers in the network while still retaining all its capability
for your use. In a server-based network, only the resources on the
dedicated server can be shared.
A peer-to-peer network is more difficult to administer than a server-based
network. Its flexible resource-sharing and lack of central management and
control make management difficult. However, the network works with your
existing equipment and does not require the purchase of a dedicated server.
This lowers the cost of networking.
Peer-to-Peer Networking with Windows 95
----------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows 95 comes with a built-in peer-to-peer network. It
also supports a wide range of network environments and network software
vendors to work with dedicated networks.
To configure Windows 95 for peer-to-peer networking:
1. Install Windows 95 and the EtherLink NIC.
2. Configure your network configuration as outlined in the previous
instructions in this document.
3. Make sure that you have the Microsoft Network client in your
network configuration.
Before you can share resources on your computer, you need to add file and
print sharing capabilities to your network configuration.
To add file and print sharing capabilities:
1. Open the Windows Start menu, select Settings, and then select
Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Network icon.
3. In the Network window, click Add.
4. Select Service in the list of Network Component Types, and then
click Add.
5. Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers in the left column.
6. Select File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks in the right
column.
7. Click OK.
The Network window appears.
8. Select the Identification tab.
9. Assign a computer name.
This computer name identifies your PC on the network. This name
must be unique.
10. Assign a workgroup name.
The workgroup name must be the same for all of the computers on your
network with which you want to share information. More than one
workgroup may exist on a network, but members of one workgroup cannot
directly see members of another workgroup.
11. Assign a computer description.
The description allows other users in your workgroup to know what is
available on your computer (such as a printer or scanner).
12. Click OK.
Windows 95 prompts you for the location of the Windows 95 CD-ROM or
diskettes containing the files needed for sharing.
13. Assuming the CD-ROM is drive D: on your computer, type:
D:
14. Click Yes when Windows 95 prompts you to shut down and reboot the
computer.
After Windows 95 reboots, you are ready to share resources.
15. To share a device (such as a disk drive)::
a. Double-click the My Computer icon.
b. Click the right mouse button over each device (for example, your
C: drive) you want to share.
c. From the menu that appears, select Sharing.
d. Click Shared As in the Sharing window.
e. Assign a share name to the device, and then click OK.
The device is now shared.
16. To share a folder rather than an entire disk drive:
a. Select a drive and click the left mouse button to open the drive.
b. Select the folder and click the right mouse button.
c. Select Sharing from the menu.
d. When the Share menu opens, select a shared name and the way you
want to share the folder.
Read Only--no user can write to or delete your shared files and
folders.
Read and write--gives other users permission to delete or change
files and folders.
For more information on peer-to-peer networking, see your Microsoft
Windows 95 manual.
(%VER W95NDIS.TXT - NDIS 3.0 in Windows 95 v4.0.4)
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.