3Com (R) Corporation
Minimum EtherDisk (R) Diskette
With version 4.01b drivers for the 3C90x EtherLink 10/100 PCI NIC Family
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum installation with EtherDisk 4.01b drivers supports the 3Com family of
EtherLink 10/100 PCI network interface cards (NICs).
About Minimum Installation EtherDisk Diskette 4.01b
------------------------------
This release is designed to provide the minimum installation required to
accomplish network connectivity and is specified for use on PC's running
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows NT 3.51. It installs the
EL90X.DOS (NDIS 2 driver), NDIS3, NDIS4, or NDIS5 drivers only. It only installs
the 3Com DOS NIC Diagnostic program. It does not install any other 3Com value-
added software (such as DynamicAccess software).
EtherDisk diskette 4.01b installs with the following default network
parameters:
Flow Control -- Yes (enabled)
NDIS Driver Version -- Auto Select
Network Media Connection -- Auto Select
In Windows 98 and Windows 95 (OSR2), these network parameters can be
changed using the Advanced tab in the Windows Network control panel.
Changing Network Configuration Parameters
-----------------------------------------
On PCs running Windows 98 or Windows 95 (OSR2), use the Advanced tab
in the Windows Network control panel to change the NIC's network
configuration parameters.
1. Start Windows.
2. Right-click on Network Neighborhood.
3. Click Properties.
4. Select the NIC, and then click Properties.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
The default parameters are:
Flow Control -- Yes (enabled)
NDIS Driver Version -- AutoSelect
Network Media Connection -- AutoSelect
In Windows NT, these network parameters can be changed using the DOS
Diagnostics Program.
Installing EtherDisk Diskette 4.01b
-----------------------------------
IMPORTANT: If you have a 3C900 or 3C905 NIC installed in a PC
running Windows 98, you must run the following NIC preinstallation
program to remove the default NIC driver and .INF files that come with
Windows 98. If you do not run the preinstallation program, the NIC driver
will not install successfully.
To run the NIC preinstallation program:
1. Do not install the NIC in the PC.
2. Power on the PC.
3. Run the PREINSTL.EXE file.
After the preinstallation program finishes, power off the PC
and follow the installation procedure below.
Windows 98 Installation Instructions
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1. Install the NIC and start the computer. Make sure the NIC is
connected to the network.
2. Start Windows 98. During the boot up, Windows 98 will display a
screen showing that a PCI Ethernet Controller has been detected.
Put the EtherDisk into the floppy drive and press "next".
3. Windows 98 will ask you to choose the recommended search or to
select from a list. Use the recommended Search and click "next".
4. Windows 98 will display a list of areas to search for the driver.
Check only the floppy drive (A:\). Press "next". Windows 98 will
read the EtherDisk and display the adapter name. Click "next" to
accept. Windows 98 then reads files from the Etherdisk, then asks
you for the Windows 98 CD-ROM. Once it finishes copying files it
will return you to the add new hardware wizard. Press the "finish"
button when it appears. If Windows 98 cannot find the Windows 98
installation media, it will prompt you for the path to the media
(CD_ROM, etc). You must provide this path for the install to work
successfully.
5. Windows 98 then displays the message "Do you want to restart your
computer now?". Press the "yes" button.
6. The computer will reboot. When the system has booted up, the
network is ready to use.
Windows 95 Installation Instructions
------------------------------------
The NDIS 3/4 drivers for Windows 95 is 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 (NDIS 4 driver), and EL90X.DOS
(NDIS 2 driver). Some versions of Windows 95 do not have a built-in
driver for the EtherLink XL NICs. In any case, it's best to install the
latest driver.
First-Time Installation
------------------------
The 3Com EtherDisk diskette, and the Windows 95 installation files
will be needed during the installation.
1. After installing the NIC start your computer. When Windows 95 starts, it
acknowledges the NIC, and the following message appears on the screen:
"Windows has found new hardware and is installing software for it".
2. Select Driver from Disk Provided by Hardware Manufacturer and click OK.
NOTE: This message will appear only for the retail version of Windows 95.
3. Insert the EtherDisk diskette in the A: drive and click "OK".
4. Windows will read files from the EtherDisk.
5. Windows next prompts for the Windows 95 files. Enter the location of the
media on your computer. For example, if the Windows 95 CD-ROM is in
drive E, type:
E:\WIN95
6. Windows will copy the needed files from the Windows 95 installation
media, complete the installation of the network, and ask if you want
to reboot the computer. Click "No".
7. When you return to the desktop, click the start button, choose Settings,
Control Panel. On the control Panel screen, double click the Network
icon.
8. Examine the Network Configuration. The default network setup for
Windows 95 is the following five components:
Client for Microsoft Network
Client for NetWare Networks
3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100Mb Ethernet NIC
IPX/SPX Compatible Protocol
NetBEUI
9. If any of these components are missing and are required for your
network, add them by clicking the Add button.
Add protocols by choosing the protocol and clicking on the Add button.
In the Select Network Protocol, choose the vendor in the left pane,
in the right pane, select the protocol and click "OK". Add clients
by choosing the client and clicking the "Add" button. In the Select
Network Client window, choose Microsoft in the left pane, choose the
client in the right pane, and press the "OK" button.
10. If everything in the Network Configuration is correct or the necessary
changes have been made click the "OK" button. If any changes were made it
might prompt you for the Windows 95 CD-ROM. When it finishes copying files
click 'YES" for the reboot. If no changes were made click the Start Button
and select SHUTDOWN, then select RESTART THE COMPUTER and click YES.
Hints
-----
1. If an error message appears, saying 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. The filename is W95EL90X.INF.
If the W95El90X.INF file is missing, download the file from 3Com's
download sites, and make sure you expand it properly.
2. To verify that the actual NDIS driver was copied to your Windows 95
system, compare the date of the driver SYS file in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
directory of your hard drive with the date of the one in the root
directory of the 3Com EtherDisk diskette. The dates should be the
same.
3. If Windows 95 does not detect new hardware, then the system may
have installed a generic PCI Ethernet driver. In this case:
a. Double-click on the System icon in the Control Panel.
b. Change to the Device Manager tab.
c. Under the Network Adapter section, the 3Com driver will be listed
with a yellow exclamation in front of it.
d. Under the Other Devices section, there will be a PCI Ethernet
Controller listed with a question mark in front of it.
e. Highlight the PCI Ethernet Controller under Other Devices and click
on the Remove button. Select Yes if asked to confirm removal of
this device. Select No if asked to restart the computer.
f. Highlight the 3Com Fast EtherLink/EtherLink XL driver under Network
Adapters and click on the Remove button. Select Yes if asked to
confirm removal of this device. Select No if asked to restart the
computer.
g. Click OK to save all changes. Restart the computer.
Windows NT 4.0 Installation Instructions
----------------------------------------
The following steps describe how to install your 3Com network NIC in a
computer running Windows NT 4.0.
1. Start Windows NT.
2. Click the start menu in the lower left corner of the screen. Choose
Settings, Control Panel. In the Control Panel, double-click the Network
icon.
3. Click the Adapters tab in the Network Control Panel.
Note: If Networking has not been installed in your system before,
when you open the Network control panel Windows NT will ask
you if you want to install networking. Click Yes and refer
to the Windows NT Documentation for instructions. If you have
previously installed a Windows NT service pack, you need to
reinstall the service pack after the network installation is
complete to insure the Windows NT network components are
updated to the level of the service pack.
4. Click Add...
5. In the Select Network Adapter window, Click Have Disk.
6. Insert EtherDisk diskette into drive A: and press
Enter.
7. In the Select OEM Option box, select the entry that matches the
3Com XL NIC you are installing.
8. Click the OK button. Files are read from the EtherDisk.
9. You may be prompted for the Windows system files CD-Rom, be prepared to
supply this is needed.
10. You may be prompted for network configuration information by Windows
NT. Seek help from your network administrator if you don't know what
to enter.
11. In the Network Settings Change window, click Yes to restart
your computer.
Windows NT 3.51 Installation Instructions
-----------------------------------------
The following steps describe how to install your 3Com network NIC in a
computer running Windows NT 3.51.
1. Start Windows NT.
2. In the Control panel, double-click the Network icon.
3. In the Network Settings window, select the existing 3Com driver in
the Installed adapters group (if present).
4. Click Remove.
5. Click Yes in the Network Settings dialog box.
6. In the Network Settings window, click Add Adapter.
7. In the Add Network adapter window, press and hold the down arrow until
<Other> Requires Disk from Manufacturer appears.
NOTE: This requires the 3Com EtherDisk diskette.
8. Click Continue.
9. Insert the EtherDisk diskette into drive A: and press
enter.
10. In the Select OEM Option box, select the entry that matches the
3Com XL NIC you are installing.
11. Click the OK button.
12. Click Close in the Welcome screen that appears.
13. In the Network Settings window, click OK.
If you are prompted for network information, contact your system
administrator for information unique to your network.
14. In the Network Settings Change window, click Restart to restart
your computer.
Running DOS Diagnostics
-----------------------
Overview
--------
The configuration portion of the 3Com NIC Configuration and Diagnostic
program for DOS allows you to change the configuration parameters
for the NIC to fit the specific environment in which the NIC is
installed.
The diagnostic portion of the program is designed to make sure that
the NIC is installed correctly and functioning properly in your PC.
It consists of the following tests:
The Group 1 tests check the physical components, connectors, and
circuitry of the NIC and require only that the NIC be installed in
the PC.
The Group 2 tests check the NIC's ability to transmit data on the
network and require that the NIC be connected to a loopback plug
or to a network (for 3C900-COMBO or 3C900-TPC NICs).
The Group 3 tests check the NIC's ability to correctly transmit and
receive data over the network and require that the NIC be connected
to a network on which an echo server has been set up.
The PC that contains the NIC to be configured or tested must be running
in DOS mode only. (Reboot with a DOS-only diskette.)
NOTE: If the PC is an operating server, notify all users of the
server to save their work and log out from the network before
running the Configuration and Diagnostic program. The program
disrupts the normal operation of servers and workstations,
and work that is not saved may be lost.
Starting the 3Com NIC Configuration and Diagnostic Program for DOS
------------------------------------------------------------------
There are two ways to start the program:
1. Automatically, from the INSTALL.EXE program, by selecting Configuration
and Diagnostic Program on the main menu.
2. Manually, from the root directory of the EtherDisk by typing the following
command:
3C90XCFG [command keyword] [parameter list]
3C90XCFG represents the 3Com NIC Configuration and Diagnostic program name.
The brackets indicate that the command keyword and parameter list are
optional.
3C90XCFG without any arguments invokes the program in full Windows
mode. This includes mouse support and context-sensitive help.
Press [F1] for help at any time.
Command Line Keywords
---------------------
You can use the first two characters of any command or parameter as a
shortcut. For example, 3C90XCFG HE RU means 3C90XCFG HELP RUN.
Also, the command keywords and parameters are not case-sensitive (for
example, CONFIGURE, configure, and Configure, will all work).
CONFIGURE
Configures a NIC in one of three ways:
1. Automatically with the /auto parameter
2. Using a specified NIC configuration file
3. Using command line configuration parameters
ECHOSERVER
Enables a designated NIC to function as an echo
server.
HELP
Displays general or command-specific help information.
To get command-specific help, type:
3C90XCFG HELP [command keyword]
LANGUAGE
Invokes the program in full Windows mode using a
specified external resource file. This option provides
support for multiple languages through a different resource
file for each language supported.
LIST
Displays a list of installed NICs and their recognized
NIC numbers.
RUN
Executes the diagnostic tests (which can also be specified
from a file) on a selected NIC and writes the results
to the screen, a file, or a printer.
Configuration
-------------
The NIC can be configured in either full-screen Windows mode or
command line mode.
Full Screen Windows Mode
------------------------
To configure the NIC using full-screen windowing, type:
3C90XCFG [Enter]
Then select the Configure NIC option from the Install menu.
Command Line Mode
-----------------
Command Line Mode Defaults
--------------------------
Defaults: CONFIGURE has /AUTO and /ADAPTERNUM:1 as defaults.
So, for example, if only 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE is used, NIC
number 1 is automatically configured.
ADAPTERNUM:N and /SLOT:S parameters can be used with any of the
CONFIGURE options that follow. They are both intended for use
whenever multiple NICs are present in the PC and
recognized by the Configuration and Diagnostic program.
/ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the number of the NIC to be configured for
PCI computers. Run the LIST command separately to determine the
NIC number to use here.
There are three different ways to configure the NIC using
command-line mode:
1. Command line with auto configuration
2. Command line with explicit parameters
3. Command line with configuration file
Command Line with Auto Configuration
------------------------------------
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE /AUTO
The /AUTO parameter configures the NIC media type
automatically. All other options settings are left unchanged.
NOTE: The program attempts to detect what media type is being
used. Therefore, connect to the network first and then run
3C90CFG CONFIGURE /AUTO. The program configures the
media type for you.
Command Line with Explicit Parameters
-------------------------------------
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE [ /BSTATE:N /XCVR:N /TR:N
/FULLDUPLEX:N /OPTIMIZE:N /LINKBEAT:N ]
Command line configuration parameters are used to configure the
NIC using only the option settings you specify. Some
parameters are for all NICs; some are for PCI only. For
example, /BSTATE:N is a PCI-only parameter. In most cases, any
combination of parameters can be used. Therefore, it is possible
to modify only a few settings if needed.
/BSTATE
Boot PROM state
Possible values - disabled, enabled
/TR (or /XCVR)
Transceiver
Possible values - Auto, 100BASE-TX, 10BASE-T, COAX, AUI,
100BASE-T4, 10BASE-FL, and 100BASE-FX
/OPTIMIZE
Network Driver Optimization
Possible values - NORMAL, NETWORK, CPU
/LINKBEAT
Link Beat disable/enable (pre-10BASE-T standard only)
Possible values - disabled, enabled
NOTE: Try this setting ONLY if pre-10BASE-T standard hubs
are in use.
/FULLDUPLEX
Full Duplex disable/enable
Possible values - disabled, enabled
NOTE: Enable this setting ONLY if the NIC is
connected to a 100BASE-T or 10BASE-T repeater
that supports full duplex. Otherwise, it will bring
down the network.
Command Line with Configuration File
------------------------------------
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE /CONFIGFILE:filename
/CONFIGFILE:filename is used to configure a NIC with the
settings specified in an ASCII configuration file that can be
created and modified by any text editor. The filename can be
a fully qualified DOS filename including a path. A standard
format for the file must be used, as follows:
- Variable names and values match the wording in the
full-screen Configure window in most cases.
- Begin each variable/value line with an "at" symbol (@),
followed by a variable name, a colon (:), and the value.
Example: @Media type: 100BASE-TX
- Blank lines and other white spaces are allowed between
variable lines.
- Start any comment lines with a semicolon (;).
- The variable names allowed are:
Boot PROM state
Media type
Network driver optimization
Full duplex
Link beat
- The values allowed are the same as those shown in the
full-screen Configure window.
Example 1: @Network driver optimization:Normal
Example 2: @Media type:On-board Coax
Diagnostic
----------
Full-Screen Windows Mode
------------------------
To run the diagnostic tests using full-screen windowing, type:
3C90XCFG [ENTER]
Then select the Run Tests option from the Tests menu.
Command Line Option - RUN
-------------------------
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG RUN [/TESTFILE:filename] [/RESULTS:[filename
| PRN | PRNHP]] [/ADAPTERNUM:N]
The RUN parameter executes the diagnostic tests on a selected NIC
and displays the results on the screen. The defaults are NIC
number 1 and Group 1 tests. The parameters below are all optional.
/TESTFILE:filename
Specifies a test file that contains a specific test setup
description.
/RESULTS:[filename or PRN or PRNHP]
Specifies an alternative location to store the test results.
This location can be a DOS path and filename, PRN printer port
(same as LPT1), or PRNHP, which is an HP LaserJet printer
connected to LPT1.
/ADAPTERNUM:N
Specifies the NIC number to be tested, in the case of
multiple NICs installed in the PC and recognized by
this program. Run the LIST command separately (see LIST below)
to determine the NIC number to use.
Other Command Line Options
--------------------------
HELP
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG HELP [Command Keyword]
HELP is an on-line summary of commands. Without a command keyword
specified, it gives a summary of the command keywords. With a command
keyword specified, it gives the parameter choices for that particular
command. For example, 3C90XCFG HELP CONFIGURE gives details about the
parameter options for the CONFIGURE command.
LANGUAGE
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG LANGUAGE /LANGFILE:filename
LANGUAGE invokes the program in full Windows mode using a specified
external resource file. This option provides support for multiple
languages through a different resource file for each language supported.
/LANGFILE:filename is a required parameter with this command.
The filename is the name of the resource file that is loaded by the
program. The filename can be a fully qualified DOS filename.
NOTE: At this time, there are no alternative resource files included
on the EtherDisk diskette.
LIST
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG LIST
LIST displays a list of currently installed NICs (and their
assigned NIC numbers) that are recognized by this program. The
NIC number is then used as the N value for the /ADAPTERNUM:N
parameter when multiple NICs are installed. There are no
parameters associated with the LIST command keyword.
ECHOSERVER
Command syntax: 3C90XCFG ECHOSERVER [/ADAPTERNUM:N]
ECHOSERVER enables a NIC to function within an echo server.
/ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the NIC to be configured in the
echo server, in the case of multiple NICs.
Accessing 3Com Technical Support
--------------------------------
For technical support information, see the NIC's user guide or visit the
3Com World Wide Web site (http://www.3com.com/).
3Com, EtherLink, and EtherDisk are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation.
(%VER README.TXT - v1.0)
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.