Help! I have been trying for days to
get a NIC card working for my
install of Mandrake 7.2. I have two nic cards
1: 3COM 3c509 (ISA)
2: D-Link DFE530TX+ (PCI)

I can get neither to work.

During install Mandrake lists my 3com
card as being supported, but the module fails to load.
The D-link card is not listed.

I tried to follow the instructions that

came with my D-link card for
intalling on Linux, but the module does

not compile. ("gcc command not
found")

All I want to do is get this working on

the network...but I am very
confused. I am new to Linux so please
help me!

What steps can I take to ensure that linux can even "see" my hardware...I think this might be part of teh problem...pelase help im desperate!

3COM has its own module.
The DLink needs the Via-rhine module tho.

U can try to reboot, open ure BIOS and see if a setting called something like "Plug and play operating system" is on. If its on, try setting it to off. This COULD fix some irq resource probs. It may/may not have effect tho.

If it doesnt, try to configure it manually.
Dunno if Mandrake has "linuxconf"?
If it has add the cards manually as adaptor 1 and 1 (eth0 and eth1) under
networking > client tasks > basic host information.
make sure ure box has a name, ip address and netmask,
the 3COM has its own kernel module, the D-Link uses via-rhine.o. Do "cat /proc/irq | grep eth" in an xterm window to find the cards irq's. Add the irq for each card.
Ok. now go to routing and gateways, make sure its set up correct.
Exit Linuxconf & reboot.
if it aint working do
"dmesg | grep eth > itsNotWorking.Damned" and post the contents on the file :-]

About 3c509, this may be your problem...
there's a utily for the NIC(on the drivers disk of the nic).
it's called 3c5x9cfg.exe
(you can get it on 3com website)

Boot with a dos boot disk then run the 3c5x9cfg file and then Disable the plug and play on the NIC.

I was unable to connect to a NT networth with the 3c905 until I found that little config exe and disabled the PNP right on the NIC.

Hope it helps

Thank you all for your help....I ended up installing Mandrake 8.0....with kernal 2.4.x

It seems to have solved my problesm..both cards were detected...now its time to tackle ipchains!

-Snaef