3Com (R) Corporation
EtherDisk (R) Diskette for
The EtherLink 10 ISA (R) NIC Family
Configuration and Diagnostic Program Instructions Summary
Overview
--------
The configuration portion of the program 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 Configuration and Diagnostic Program is
designed to make sure that the NIC is installed correctly and
functioning properly in your computer. The Group 1 tests check the
physical components, connectors, and circuitry of the NIC and
require only that the NIC be installed in the computer. 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.
The Group 3 tests check the NIC's ability to correctly transmit and
receive data over the network and require that the adapter be connected
to a network on which an echo server has been set up.
The computer containing the NIC to be configured or tested must be
running DOS only.
NOTE: If this computer is an operating server, notify all users of the
server to save their work and log out from the network. The
Configuration and Diagnostic Program disrupts the normal operation
of servers and workstations, so work that is not saved may be lost.
Then shut down the server, and reboot with a DOS-only diskette.
(This way no drivers or TSRs will be running when the program
is started.)
Starting the Configuration and Diagnostic Program
--------------------------------------------------
There are two ways to start the program:
1. Automatically, from the INSTALL.EXE program, by selecting the options
in the Configuration and Diagnostic submenu.
2. Manually, from the root directory of the EtherDisk #2 diskette, by
typing the following command:
3C5X9CFG [command keyword] [parameter list]
3C5X9CFG represents the 3Com Configuration and Diagnostic Program name.
The brackets indicate that the command keyword and parameter list are
optional.
3C5X9CFG 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, 3C5X9CFG HE RU means 3C5X9CFG HELP RUN.
Also, the command keywords and parameters are not case-sensitive,
so CONFIGURE, configure, and Configure, for example, 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 to
support running Group 3 tests on other 3Com NICs.
HELP
Displays general or command-specific help information. To get
command-specific help, enter:
3C5X9CFG HELP [command keyword]
LANGUAGE
Invokes the program in full windows mode using a specified external
resource file. This option provides support for multiple languages
via a different resource file for each language supported.
LIST
Displays a list of installed NICs recognized by this program
and their assigned 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 the full screen windowing, type:
3C5X9CFG [Enter]
Then select the Configure Adapter option in the Install pull-down menu.
Command Line Mode
-----------------
Command Line Mode Defaults
--------------------------
Defaults: CONFIGURE has /AUTO and /ADAPTERNUM:1 as defaults. So for
example, if only "3c5x9cfg configure" is used, adapter number 1 will
be auto 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 computer and recognized by the
Configuration and Diagnostic Program.
/ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the NIC number to be configured for ISA
computers. Run the LIST command separately to determine the NIC
number to use here.
/SLOT:S specifies the physical slot number of the NIC to be configured
in EISA and MCA computers.
/PNPRST is an option to which can be used to bring a 3C509B out of the
Plug 'n Play wait for key state so the NIC can be reconfigured. The
symptom is the configuration and diagnostic program cannot find a 3C509B
ISA NIC in a computer. The root cause is the computer BIOS writes
a byte to the parallel port status register. This byte looks like the
first byte of the Plug 'n Play identification sequence. The 3C509B will
then wait for the remaining bytes of the sequence, and will not respond
to normal inquiries. The PNPRST option causes the configuration and
diagnostic program to issue several byte to the parallel port status
register, which returns the 509B to it's normal operating mode.
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: 3C5X9CFG CONFIGURE /AUTO
The /AUTO parameter configures the NIC automatically based on the
software's best estimate using interpreted system information.
This parameter sets the I/O Base Address, Interrupt, and Transceiver
options. All other option settings are left unchanged.
NOTE: The program will attempt to detect what Transceiver is being
used, to set the Transceiver setting. Therefore connect to the network
first, then run /AUTO, and it will configure the Transceiver for you.
Command Line with Auto Configuration
------------------------------------
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG CONFIGURE /AUTO
The /AUTO parameter configures the adapter 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
3C5X9CFG CONFIGURE /AUTO. The program will configure the
media type for you.
Command Line with Explicit Parameters
-------------------------------------
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG CONFIGURE [ /INT:N /IOBASE:N /PORT:N
/BSIZE:N /BADDRESS:N /MODEM:N /XCVR:N /TR:N
/OPTIMIZE:N /LINKBEAT:N /CONFIGPORT:N /PNP:N
/SYNCREADY:N /FULLDUPLEX: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 ISA only, and some are for EISA and MCA only.
For example, /int:N is an ISA-only parameter, because with EISA and
MCA NICs, the computer vendor's configuration utility or option
diskette handles the setting of the interrupt level. In most cases, any
combination of parameters can be used. Therefore it is possible to modify
only a few settings if needed.
/INT - Interrupt Level (ISA only)
Possible values - 3,5,7,9,10,11,12,15
/IOBASE (or /PORT) - I/O Base Address (ISA only)
Possible values - EISA (to change to EISA mode)
or 200-3E0 in increments of 10
/BSIZE - Boot PROM Size (ISA only)
Possible values - 8,16,32,disabled
/BADDRESS - Boot PROM Address (ISA only)
Note: For use only when /BSIZE is enabled
Possible values - C2000-DE000, the range allowed
depends on the size selected with /BSIZE.
/MODEM - Modem Speed (Interrupt Disable Time)
Possible values -
Custom Disable Time Method: 25-1600, in increments of 25
Modem Speed Method: None, 1200, 2400, 9600, 19200, 38400
If no modem or other critical serial device is being used, then
specify 1600 disable time for best performance. If a modem is
present, reduce the value until performance of both the modem
and EtherLink 10 ISA NIC are acceptable to you. If the computer
has a 16550 buffered serial UART, you can set the modem speed
below the actual serial line speed because the UART can buffer
characters, relaxing the need for critical interrupt response.
/TR (or /XCVR) - Transceiver (ISA only)
Possible values - TP, COAX, AUI, EXTERNAL (same as AUI)
/OPTIMIZE - Network Driver Optimization
Possible values - DOS, Windows, OS/2, server
/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.
/CONFIGPORT - (ISA only) Configport is a value the Configuration
and Diagnostic Program uses internally to search for ISA NICs.
Possible values - 100-1E0, in increments of 10.
NOTE: Try this setting ONLY if a problem occurs in bringing up
the program in an ISA computer. (The 3Com internal default
configport of 110 may not work if some other device is using
that address.)
NOTE: If only this parameter is used, ie. "3c5x9cfg configure
/configport:1B0," and no other configuration parameters, the
program will try the default configuration parameter, "/auto"
to configure the NIC.
/PNP - (3C509B only) PNP controls the ability of the 3C509B to
respond to an ISA bus Plug 'n Play identification.
Possible values - ENABLED or DISABLED
ENABLED allows the NIC to respond to a Plug 'n Play
identification. DISABLED does not allow the 509B to respond
to a Plug 'n Play identification.
/SYNCREADY - (3C509B only) Forces the NIC to insert a wait state
on each I/O cycle. Setting this option may allow the 509B to
work in computers with marginal ISA I/O bus timing.
Possible values - ENABLED or DISABLED
ENABLED adds a wait state to each I/O bus cycle. DISABLED
allows the bus to run at full speed.
/FULLDUPLEX - (3C509B only) enables/disables Full Duplex network
operation. Possible values - ENABLED, DISABLED
NOTE: This setting can ONLY be enabled when the NICs
transceiver setting is forced to 10BaseT operation.
Full duplex should be enabled ONLY when connected to a
switch port that supports full duplex. The switch port
must also be forced to full duplex, referring to the
switch documentation for doing this. Otherwise,
operating the NIC in full duplex mode on a half duplex
hub or repeater may cause network problems.
Command Line with Configuration File
------------------------------------
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG CONFIGURE /CONFIGFILE:filename
/CONFIGFILE:filename is used to configure an 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: @I/O base address:300
- Blank lines and other white spaces are allowed between variable
lines.
- Start any comment lines with a semicolon (;).
- The variable names allowed are:
I/O base address
Interrupt request level
Boot PROM size
Boot PROM base address
Transceiver type
Network driver optimization
Maximum interrupt disable time
Link beat
Full duplex
- The values allowed are the same as those shown in the full-screen
configure window.
Example 1: @Network driver optimization:Windows or OS/2 Client
Example 2: @Transceiver type:On-board Coax
The one exception to this rule is the Maximum Interrupt Disable
Time setting, which is used in place of Modem Speed. The
values are in microseconds. Possible values are 25-1600, in
increments of 25.
Example: @Maximum interrupt disable time:1600 microseconds
Diagnostic
----------
Full Screen Windows Mode
------------------------
To run the diagnostic tests using the full screen windowing, type:
3C5X9CFG [ENTER]
Then select the Run Tests option in the Tests pull-down menu.
Command Line Option - RUN
-------------------------
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG RUN [/TESTFILE:filename] [/RESULTS:[filename
| PRN | PRNHP]] [/ADAPTERNUM:N | /SLOT:S]
The RUN parameter executes the diagnostic tests on a selected NIC
and displays the results on the screen. The defaults are adapter 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 adapter number to be tested, in the case of
multiple NICs installed in the computer and recognized by this
program. Run the LIST command separately (see LIST below) to determine
the adapter number to use.
/SLOT:S specifies the physical slot number of the NIC to be tested
when multiple NICs are installed in EISA and MCA computers.
Other Command Line Options
--------------------------
HELP
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG HELP [Command Keyword]
HELP is an on-line summary of commands. Without a command keyword,
it gives a summary of the command keywords. With a command keyword
specified, it gives the parameter choices for that particular command.
For example, "3C5X9CFG HELP CONFIGURE" gives details about the parameter
options for the CONFIGURE command.
LANGUAGE
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG LANGUAGE /LANGFILE:filename
LANGUAGE invokes the program in full windows mode using a specified
external resource file. This option provides support for multiple
languages via 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 alternate resource files included on
the EtherDisk diskette.
LIST
Command syntax: 3C5X9CFG LIST
LIST displays a list of currently installed NICs (and their assigned
adapter numbers) that are recognized by this program. The adapter 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: 3C5X9CFG ECHOSERVER [/ADAPTERNUM:N | /SLOT:S]
ECHOSERVER enables the NIC to function as an echo server.
/ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the adapter number to be configured in the echo
server, in the case of multiple NICs. /SLOT:S is available only on
EISA or MCA computers, and refers to the physical slot in the echo server
where the NIC is located.
Further Assistance
------------------
If the NIC fails any of the diagnostic tests, see the TROUBLE.TXT file
in the \HELP directory on the EtherDisk #2 diskette for troubleshooting
procedures.
The SUPPORT.TXT file in the \HELP subdirectory on the EtherDisk #2 diskette
provides information about obtaining product support for the NIC.
3Com, EtherDisk, and EtherLink are registered trademarks of 3Com
Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
(%VER Configuration and Diagnostic Program Instructions Summary v6.1a)
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.