3Com EtherLink XL 10 User manual

Part No. 09-1629-000
Published December 1998
F
AST
E
THER
L
INK
®
XL
10/100 PCI
N
ETWORK
I
NTERFACE
C
ARDS
Q
UICK
G
UIDE
This quick guide explains how to install a 3Com
®
Fast EtherLink XL 10/100 PCI (3C905B) NIC in a PC
running Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98.
For all other operating systems, or for more detailed
information on the 3C905B NIC, see the Fast EtherLink XL
10/100 PCI Network Interface Cards User Guide .
Installation Overview
Before you physically install the NIC in a PC, you must run
the NIC preinstallation program to prevent conflicts with
the NIC.
CAUTION: If you do not run the preinstallation program,
the NIC driver and software will not be installed correctly.
See “Running the Preinstallation Program” later in this
quick guide for instructions.
Installing Multiple NICs
If you are installing multiple 3C90x NICs in a PC or server,
or if you already have a 3C90x NIC installed and are adding
one or more NICs, follow the instructions in “Installing
Multiple NICs” in Chapter 3 of the user guide.
Upgrading Windows 95 to Windows 98
If you are upgrading a PC from Microsoft Windows 95 to
Windows 98 that already has a 3C90x NIC installed, you
must remove the NIC and its software and then reinstall them
after installing Windows 98. See the WIN98.TXT file located
in the HELP directory on EtherDisk
®
diskette 3 for instructions.

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Updating EtherDisk 3.x Software to EtherDisk 4.x Software
To update EtherDisk 3.x software to EtherDisk 4.x software,
follow the instructions appropriate for your operating
system in the HELP directory on EtherDisk diskette 3.
Do not follow the instructions in this quick guide.
Running the Preinstallation Program
Before you physically install the NIC in a PC, you must run
the following preinstallation program to properly set up
your system environment.
CAUTION: If you do not perform this procedure, the NIC
driver and software will not be installed correctly.
To run the NIC preinstallation program:
1 Do not install the NIC in the PC.
2 Turn on the power to the PC and start Windows.
3 Insert EtherDisk diskette 1 in drive A.
4 From the Windows Start menu, select Run .
5 Run the preinstallation program. Enter:
a:\preinstl
6 After the preinstallation program finishes, turn off
the power to the PC.
The next step is to install the NIC in your PC.
Installing the NIC
To install the NIC in your PC:
1 Make sure that you have run the preinstallation
program, as described in the previous section.
2 Remove all jewelry from your hands and wrists. Use
only insulated or nonconducting tools.
CAUTION: Before handling the NIC, touch the bare metal
case of your PC to discharge static electricity from your
body. While you are handling the NIC, wear a wrist strap
grounded to the PC chassis.
3 Make sure that the power to the PC is turned off and
that the power cord is unplugged.

Installing the NIC 3
4 Remove the cover from your PC.
5 Locate an empty, nonshared bus mastering PCI slot and
remove the corresponding slot cover. Save the screw.
Do not install the NIC in a shared PCI slot. Avoid any
PCI slot next to an ISA slot. This is often a shared slot and
does not support bus mastering.
If you do not know how to identify a PCI slot, check your
PC documentation or ask your system administrator.
If you are planning to install the Remote Wake-Up cable,
choose an empty PCI slot that is close to the 3-pin
Remote Wake-Up connector on the PC motherboard.
6 Carefully insert the NIC into the empty PCI slot (see
Figure 1). Press firmly with steady pressure to ensure
that the NIC is fully seated in the slot.
Figure 1 Installing the NIC
1 Remove slot cover
2 Insert NIC
PCI slots

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7 Secure the NIC with the screw you removed in step 5.
If you are installing the Remote Wake-Up cable, see
“Connecting the Remote Wake-up Cable” in Chapter 2
of the user guide to continue the installation. If you are not
installing the cable, continue with step 8.
8 Replace the PC cover.
9 Reconnect all power and peripheral cables.
Do not turn on the power to the PC.
10 Connect the appropriate network cable for your
network environment to the port on the NIC.
See Chapter 2 of the user guide for instructions on
connecting the network cable.
The next step is to install the NIC driver and software.
Installing the Driver and Software
This section describes how to install the NIC driver and
software on a PC running Windows 95 or Windows 98.
For other operating systems, see the user guide.
Windows 95
To install the NIC driver and software under Windows 95, you
need the Windows 95 installation files. These files may be on
a CD or diskettes, or they may have been copied to your hard
drive when Windows 95 was installed on your PC.
If you encounter problems during the installation, see
the W95NDIS.TXT file located in the HELP directory on
EtherDisk diskette 3 for troubleshooting tips.
Before installing the NIC driver and software:
■ Make sure that you have run the preinstallation
program, as described earlier in this guide.
■
Make sure that the NIC is installed in the PC and that
it is connected to the network.
To install the NIC driver and software in a PC running
Windows 95:
1 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.

Installing the Driver and Software 5
If the New Hardware Found dialog box appears:
a Select Driver from disk provided by hardware
manufacture r, and then click OK .
b Insert EtherDisk diskette 1 in drive A, make sure that
A:\ appears in the entry box, and then click OK .
c Go to step 2 when prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
If the Update Device Driver Wizard starts:
a Insert EtherDisk diskette 1 in drive A, and then click Next .
Windows finds the driver and asks if you want to use
this driver.
b Click Finish , and then click OK when prompted for
EtherDisk diskette 1.
c Go to step 2 when prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
2 Remove EtherDisk diskette 1 from drive A, insert
EtherDisk diskette 2, and then click OK .
Files are copied.
■
If this is the first time that networking is being installed
on your PC, the Identification tab of the Network screen
appears. Go to step 3.
■ If networking has already been installed, you are
prompted for the Windows 95 CD. Go to step 4.
3 In the specified fields of the Identification tab screen,
enter the following information, and then click OK :
■ Computer Name — Identifies the PC on the network for
other users. This entry must be a unique name of 15
characters or fewer, containing no spaces.
■
Workgroup — Identifies the group (for example, your
department name) to which your PC belongs. If you
belong to a peer-to-peer network, this entry must be
exactly the same for all the PCs in your network.
■
Computer Description — Displays additional details to
other users on the network about this PC. For example,
you could specify that the PC has a printer attached.
Filling in this field is optional.

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4 Insert the Windows 95 CD or diskette, and then click OK .
If the Windows 95 installation files are on your hard drive,
click OK . Enter the directory in the Copy files from entry box
(usually C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS), and then click OK .
Files are copied. You are prompted to reboot the PC.
5 Remove EtherDisk diskette 2 from drive A, and then
click Yes to reboot the PC.
You must reboot the PC to complete the installation.
The installation is complete. See “Verifying Successful
Installation,” later in this guide to confirm that the NIC
is properly installed.
After Windows restarts, double-click the Network icon
in the Windows Control Panel and make sure that the
configuration settings are properly configured for your
network environment. Contact your system administrator
for assistance.
Windows 98
To install the NIC driver and software under Windows 98,
you need the Windows 98 installation files. These files may
be on a CD or diskettes, or they may have been copied to
your hard drive when Windows 98 was installed on your PC.
If you encounter problems during the installation, see
the WIN98.TXT file located in the HELP directory on
EtherDisk diskette 3 for troubleshooting tips.
Before installing the NIC driver and software:
■Make sure that you have run the preinstallation
program, as described earlier in this guide.
■Make sure that the NIC is installed in the PC and that
it is connected to the network.
To install the NIC driver and software in a PC running
Windows 98:
1 Turn on the power to the PC.
Windows 98 detects the NIC. The Add New Hardware
Wizard starts.
2 Insert EtherDisk diskette 1 in drive A, and then
click Next.

Installing the Driver and Software 7
3 Select Search for the best driver for your device
(Recommended), and then click Next.
4 Select Floppy disk drives, and then click Next.
Windows finds the driver file for the device.
5 Click Next.
Files are copied.
If the Insert Disk dialog box appears, prompting you to
insert EtherDisk diskette 1, click OK.
You are prompted for EtherDisk diskette 2.
6 Remove EtherDisk diskette 1 from drive A, insert
EtherDisk diskette 2, and then click OK.
Files are copied. You are prompted for the Windows 98 CD.
7 Insert the Windows 98 CD or diskette, and then
click OK.
If the Windows 98 installation files are on your hard drive,
click OK. Enter the directory in the Copy files from entry box
(usually C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS), and then click OK.
Files are copied. The installation is complete when you are
prompted to click Finish.
8 Click Finish.
You are prompted to restart the PC.
9 Remove EtherDisk diskette 2 from drive A, and then
click Yes to restart the PC.
You must reboot the PC to complete the installation.
The installation is complete. See the next section,
“Verifying Successful Installation,” to confirm that the
NIC is properly installed.
After Windows restarts, double-click the Network icon
in the Windows Control Panel and make sure that the
configuration settings are properly configured for your
network environment. Contact your system administrator
for assistance.

8FAST ETHERLINK®XL 10/100 PCI NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS QUICK GUIDE
Verifying Successful Installation
To verify that the NIC and its software are properly installed
on a PC running Windows 95 or Windows 98:
1 Open the Windows Start menu, select Settings, and
then select Control Panel.
2 Double-click the System icon, and then select the
Device Manager tab.
3 Double-click Network adapters and make sure that
the name of the NIC appears.
If a red X or a yellow exclamation point (!) appears next to
the name of the NIC, the installation was not successful.
See “Frequently Asked Questions” in Chapter 6 of the
user guide for troubleshooting help.
Copyright © 1998, 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, 3Com registered trademarks are registered in the United States and may or
may not be registered in other countries.
3Com, EtherDisk, and EtherLink are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other brand and product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.