Frequently Asked Questions about Adaptec PCI Adapters
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about
Adaptec PCI adapters, to help you get up and running as quickly as
possible.
Q: Where can I get the latest drivers for my Adaptec PCI adapter?
A: Download the file EMPCI.EXE (a self-extracting archive) from any
of Adaptec's public forums, the Adaptec BBS (408) 945-7727, the Adaptec FTP
site(ftp.adaptec.com), or the Adaptec World Wide Web
(http://www.adaptec.com/networking).
Q: How do I configure the Adaptec PCI adapter for my computer?
A: PCI is self-configuring, so for most PCI computers all you are
required to do is plug in your adapter and let PCI do the rest.
But, some PCI computers with ISA or EISA buses require that you
manually configure your PCI adapter using your computer's BIOS. If
you need to manually configure your Adaptec adapter, refer to your
Adaptec or PCI system manual for additional help.
Q: What interrupt should I use with my PCI adapter?
A: The Adaptec Adaptec PCI can use any interrupt assigned to it.
Since PCI is self-configuring, you should not have to worry about
interrupts. Some PCI systems are not self-configuring, so you will
need to assign interrupts to your system's PCI slots, either by
manually setting a jumper on your computer's motherboard, or
setting the interrupt in your computer's PCI BIOS. In either case,
assign the PCI interrupt INTA to any available ISA interrupt except
interrupts 14 and 15, as noted below. Remember, multiple Adaptec
adapters can share the same interrupt.
Q: What interrupts should I NOT use with my PCI adapter?
A: You should NOT use Interrupt 14 with any PCI adapters except PCI
IDE adapters. IRQ 14 can only be configured for edge-triggered
interrupts. This prevents its ability to use shared interrupts
(shared interrupts require level-triggering) and makes Interrupt 14
a very poor PCI interrupt choice. If you are using your Adaptec
adapter for the NetWare file server OS, do not use IRQ 15 for any
network adapter. The NetWare file server uses IRQ 15 for its own
housekeeping functions.
Q: Which slot should I use for my Adaptec Adaptec PCI adapter?
A: Adaptec PCI supports bus mastering for optimal performance.
Therefore, install the adapter in a slot which supports bus
mastering. Contact your computer's manufacturer if you are unsure
which slots are bus mastering slots.
Q: Is my Adaptec PCI adapter a 3.3 volt or a 5 volt adapter?
A: All Adaptec PCI adapters support 5 volt slots. In addition, the
ANA-6911/UC supports both 3.3 volt and 5 volt slots.
Most PCI systems sold today use 5 volt slots. Your adapter will
only fit into slots that match its voltage requirements. In other
words, if your adapter fits into a particular PCI slot, that slot
provides the right voltage level.
Q: Do I need a specific version of EMM386.EXE for my Adaptec PCI
adapter?
A: EMM386.EXE versions 4.48 and earlier conflict with some
implementations of the PCI bus I/O allocation scheme. If you
suspect that your EMM386 conflicts with your PCI device, upgrade to
version 4.49 (shipped with DOS 6.22) by running the EMM386UP.BAT
batch file in the EMM386UP subdirectory of the Adaptec setup
diskette. (This batch file works with DOS 6.2.) If you are using
the German version of MS-DOS, run the EMM386UP.BAT batch file in
the EMM386UP\GERMAN subdirectory of the Adaptec setup diskette.
Q: What kind of AUI cable should I use with my ANA-69XX Combo
adapter?
A: As with all your cabling types, your AUI cabling should meet
IEEE 802.3 specifications. This means that, at a minimum, your AUI
cable should have pin 14 grounded, either to the cable hood, the
grounding mesh of the cable itself, or to any one of pins 1, 4, 6,
8 or 11. By using such a cable, the ANA-69XX Combo will be able to
correctly `AutoSense' that you are using AUI cable, and as a result
will work properly.
The ANA-6901 Combo adapter has an on-board jumper that allows you
to manually select the AUI cable port so that, even if you are
using non-standard AUI cable, you may still use the ANA-6901C in your
environment. The jumper should be installed across the two pins at
C4, when used with non-standard AUI cable.
Q: I have an M54PI motherboard from Micronics (or as supplied by
Micron and Microsys), and am having problems. What should I do?
A: The M54PI Micronics motherboard has only one slot for use by
INTA PCI adapters. It is the PCI slot furthest from the power
supply. You should install your Adaptec adapter in this slot. This
limitation only exists on older versions of the M54PI. Other Micronics
motherboards support INTA PCI adapters in all PCI slots.
Q: Can I use my Adaptec PCI adapter in my Compaq DeskPro PCI
NetWare server?
A: Yes. The Compaq DeskPro locates PCI BIOS services far into
addressable memory (at 4 gigabytes, to be exact.) However, The
NetWare file server Operating System cannot manage non-contiguous
blocks of extended memory and cannot give PCI adapters access to
these PCI BIOS services. A special DOS driver from Compaq allows
PCI adapters to find these services. This driver can be found in
the SP1116.EXE service pack on Compaq's CompuServe forum !GO
CPQFORUM or Compaq's BBS 713.378.1418.
Q. Can I use NetWare's System Fault Tolerance (SFT) III solution
with my Adaptec PCI adapter?
A. Yes. All of Adaptec's PCI adapters can be used as the
network adapter for Novell's SFT III for both NetWare 3.x or
NetWare 4.x. Mirrored Server Link (MSL) drivers for SFT III are not
currently available for Adaptec adapters.
Q: Is Novell's 32-bit client for Windows 95 compatible with my
Adaptec PCI adapter ?
A: Yes. The Novell 32-bit client for Windows 95 is compatible with
the regular Windows 95 driver supplied on your Adaptec diskette in
the \WIN95 directory.
Q: Does my Adaptec PCI adapter support shared interrupts?
A: As fully compliant PCI devices, all Adaptec PCI adapters
support shared interrupts. If you feel that you are having a shared
interrupt difficulty with one of the other devices on your
motherboard, you can try assigning your PCI devices to unique
interrupts.
Q: Where can I get the latest BIOS for my PCI system?
A: We highly recommend that you obtain the latest FLASH BIOS for
your PCI system before you install any PCI adapters. PCI system
vendors update their BIOS offerings regularly to provide new
enhancements and compatibility features. Below is a list of just
some popular PCI system vendors, and the CompuServe and/or BBS
forums where their BIOS updates can be found.
System Vendor BBS System Vendor BBS
Adaptec 408.945.7727 Gateway 2000 605.232.1735
A.I.R. 408.428.1735 Hewlett-Packard 408.553.3500
ACER 408.428.0140 IBM 919.517.0001
ACEROPEN 408.383.2770 Intel 503.645.6275
ALR 714.458.6834 IVY 408.956.9084
American Megatrends 404.246.878 0LION NICE 408.954.0687
AREA (Gigabyte) 714.993.1581 Micron 208.465.8982
AST 714.727.4132 Micronics 510.651.6837
ASUS Germany 49.2102.448690 Mylex 510.793.3491
ASUS Taiwan 886.289.64667 Orbit I.G. 313.721.8959
ASUS U.S.A. 408.956.9084 Shuttle computers 408 956 5712
Award Software 415.968.0249 SuperMicro 408.451.1114
Compaq 713.378.1418 Tangent 415.342.7047
Digital Equipment Inc. 508.568.5481 TMC 408.946.6932
Dell 512.728.8528 Tyan 408.956.8171
Q: Is the Adaptec PCI adapter compatible with my PCI SCSI
(Adaptec, Buslogic, etc.) adapter?
A: Yes. The PCI bus can easily handle traffic loads from both a PCI
Ethernet adapter and a PCI SCSI adapter simultaneously. For best
performance and compatibility results, install your PCI Ethernet
adapter in a higher priority PCI slot (PCI slot 1, often located
nearest the power supply) and install your SCSI adapter in a lower
priority PCI slot. This arrangement will help prevent bus resource
conflicts on some PCI machines.
Q: Why does the link status LED on my Adaptec PCI T4 adapter
blink?
The link status LED for the T4 adapters will blink if you are
making a 100 Mbits/sec. connection. This blinking is a normal
function of the LED, and indicates that a good link has been
established. For 10 Mbits/sec. links, the T4's link status LED will
remain constantly lit.
copyright 1997 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. Current as of April 7, 1997
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.