3Com (R) Corporation
EtherCD (R) for the
3Com 10/100 PCI NIC w/3XP (3C990B)
Windows 95 Installation and Peer-to-Peer Networking Information
Table of Contents
-----------------
First-Time Installation 1
Using the EtherCD 1
Using the Installation Diskettes 3
Updating the Network Driver and NIC Software 4
Using the EtherCD 5
Using Installation Diskettes 5
Removing the Network Driver and EtherDisk Software 5
Troubleshooting Tips 6
General Overview of Peer-to-Peer Networking 6
Peer-to-Peer Networking with Windows 95 7
This file describes how to install a 3C990B NIC in a PC running Windows 95.
It also describes how to:
- Update the Network Driver and EtherCD software.
- Remove the Network driver and EtherCD software.
- Troubleshoot installation problems.
- Use Windows 95 peer-to-peer networking.
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 actual driver files that
3Com supplies are:
- EL99XND3.SYS (NDIS 3 driver)
- EL99XND4.SYS (NDIS 4 driver)
Some versions of Windows 95 do not have a built-in driver for the
3C990B NICs. In any case, it's best to install the latest driver
using the EtherDisk diskettes that came with the NIC.
There are two ways to install the NIC:
- Using the EtherCD
- Using the installation diskettes (created from the EtherCD)
Using the EtherCD
-----------------
NOTE: This method works only if you install the NIC from the EtherCD.
If are using installation diskettes (created using the EtherCD),
go to the "Using Installation Diskettes" section below.
1. Install the NIC in the PC described in the user guide.
2. Insert the EtherCD in the CD ROM drive.
The EtherCD Installer runs and the Welcome screen appears.
3. Click NIC Software.
4. Click NIC Drivers and Diagnostics.
5. Click Install NIC Driver.
6. Click Install with Diagnostic Program to install the network driver
and the 3Com NIC Diagnostic Program or click Install without
Diagnostic program to install the network driver only.
As soon as you make your choice, the installation occurs. A message
appears when the installation is complete.
7. Click OK.
8. Select the operating system of the PC (Windows 95).
The Completing NIC Installation screen appears.
9. Exit the EtherCD, leaving the EtherCD in the CD-ROM drive, and then
shut down the computer.
10. Turn the computer on.
Windows 95 detects the NIC. The Insert Disk dialog box appears,
prompting you for the location of the installation media.
11. Click OK.
The Copying Files ... window appears.
12. Open the pull-down menu and select:
C:\WINDOWS\options\cabs
13. Click OK.
Windows 95 installs the 3Com files. You are prompted for the
Windows 95 installation media.
14. Click OK and take one of the following actions:.
- If you have the Windows 95 CD, remove the EtherCD and
insert the Windows 95 CD.
- If the Windows 95 installation files are installed on the PC, open
the pull-down menu and select the entry that points to the
Windows 95 installation files.
15. Click OK.
Windows 95 installs the network software.
You are prompted to restart the computer.
16. Click YES.
Using the Installation Diskettes
--------------------------------
1. Install the NIC in the PC, as described in the quick start guide
or 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 Software" section below.
If Windows 95 does not detect the NIC at startup, the PC may
have installed a generic "PCI Ethernet Controller" driver
(see the "Troubleshooting" section below). This can happen when
Windows 95 is installed with the NIC already in the computer.
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 1. Go to step 3 when
prompted for EtherDisk 2.
If the New Hardware Found dialog box appears:
--------------------------------------------
a. Select Driver from Disk Provided by Hardware Manufacturer,
and then click OK.
b. Insert EtherDisk 1 (or the EtherCD), and then click OK.
c. Go to step 3.
If the Update Device Driver Wizard starts:
-----------------------------------------
a. Insert EtherDisk 1 (or the EtherCD), and then click Next.
Windows displays the name of the NIC.
b. Click Finish, and then click OK when prompted for the EtherCD or
EtherDisk 1.
c. Windows 95 prompts for the installation media. Enter A:\ if you
are installing from diskette, or the drive letter of the CD-ROM
drive (usually D:\) if you are installing from CD, then click OK.
d. Go to step 3.
3. You are prompted for the Windows 95 installation files.
4. Insert the Windows 95 CD, and then click OK.
5. Place the path to the Windows 95 installation media in the
'Copy files from:' entry box, and then click OK.
Windows copies files from the Windows 95 installation media.
6. Remove EtherDisk 1 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 10/100 PCI NIC w/3XP (3C990B)
- 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 (this is usually Microsoft). 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. Shut down Windows and reboot the PC.
Updating the Network Driver and NIC Software
============================================
There are two ways to update the network driver and NIC software:
- Using the EtherCD
- Using the Installation Diskettes
Using the EtherCD
-----------------
If you are using a version of EtherCD software that is older than the
software on the EtherCD version 2.0, follow the instructions below
to properly update the network driver and the Windows-based
3Com NIC Diagnostic program.
Note: Do not use the "Update Driver" button located on the
driver tab of properties page for the NIC. This button
updates the device driver only. It does not update the
NIC diagnostic software. It is important to update both
the driver and the Windows diagnostic software together.
To update to the EtherCD 2.0 software using the EtherCD:
1. Insert the EtherCD in the CD ROM drive.
The EtherCD Welcome screen appears.
2. Click NIC Software.
3. Click NIC Drivers and Diagnostics.
4. Click Update NIC Driver.
5. Click Update Drivers and Diagnostic Program to update the network driver
and the 3Com NIC Diagnostic program, or click Update Drivers and remove
Diagnostic Program to update the network driver only.
The update begins as soon as you click on your selection. The update is
complete when the update message box appears stating that you must
restart your system for the changes to take effect.
6. Click OK.
7. Exit the EtherCD, and then restart Windows and the computer.
After the Windows restarts, the EtherCD software is ready to use.
Using Installation Diskettes
----------------------------
To update to the EtherCD 2.0 software using the installation diskettes:
1. Delete the NIC, following the instructions in the next section
"Removing the NIC Driver and EtherDisk Software."
2. Install the network driver and NIC software, following the instructions
in the previous section "Updating the Network Driver and NIC Software
Using Installation Diskettes."
Removing the Network 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. Select the 3Com 10/100 PCI (3C990B) 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 1.
The filenames are NETEL99X.INF and OEMSETUP.INF.
If the NETEL99X.INF and OEMSETUP.INF files are missing, download the
file from one of the 3Com 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. Select the PCI Ethernet Controller under Other Devices,
and then click Remove.
f. Click Yes if prompted to confirm the removal of the device.
g. Click No if prompted to restart the PC.
h. Select 3Com 10/100 PCI NIC w/3XP under Network adapters,
and then click Remove.
i. Click Yes if prompted to confirm removal of this device.
j. Click 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 3Com EtherDisk 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 3C990B 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 v1.0.7)
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.