hi all,

i have a pentium machine for some testing use. i tried to install Redhat 8.0 but the NIC failed to startup automatically.
NIC tried: 3Com 3c509, 3Com 3c900B, generic NIC with RTL8029AS.

some remedial works done:
1. stop the kudzu in rc3, 4 and 5.
2. updated with kudzu 0.99.99 from RH9.0 updates.
3. kernel (rpm) upgrade (though i don't think it would help solve the problem)

instead, i have to manually do the ifdown/ifup everytime to bring up the eth0.

some notes: i have stopped the 3Com 3c509 PnP with 3com DOS program. also do the modprobe, edit modules.conf, edit ifcfg-eth0.

do you guys have any suggestion?

Hi alvalee,

I am also new to linux.

Have you enable the nic to start up at boot.

This done thru the "Network device control".
To find it do the following,[list=1][*]Click on the redhat[*]Click on System tools[*]click on network device control[*]Is the nic card active or deactive?[*]Pick the "eth0"[*]click on the button "configure"[*]A new panel opens "Network Configuration"[*]Make sure "eth0" is highlighted and click on "EDIT"[*]New panel opens "Ethernet Device"[*]Is the box label "Active when computer starts up" check off?[*]If not, the check so it has a check mark[*]Hit ok, then it should have started.[*]Then close all panels[*]Restart you computer.[*]Once restarted using the first steps check to see if nic is active.[/list=1]
This advice is only for the nic card do not active your modem for startup I repeat do not active your modem for startup. I did an the system would not boot.

As I said at the beginning I am new to Linux and only have a limited knowledge of its. So give it a try it maybe the answer to you problem.

look at
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0

add/modify the line:
ONBOOT=yes

hi tiyogi,

i mostly use the command line interface. that doesn't mean that i hate GNOME or KDE. it's a matter of the harddrive size and i don't use linux as my desktop. mostly i am using it as an alternative to traditional unix platforms. most of the small pentium machines has only 32MB or 64MB of RAM, and a tight 1GB or less harddisk space. however they are quite good for small development projects like dialup access, log capture and so forth.

i just went back to my favorite RH7.3 (but need to patch kernel!) and the 3com 3C509 works ok by disabling the PnP and manually configure the NIC.

i would probably try the X windows someday.

i would try and see if it works.

i have read some comments here about the kudzu bugs on some NIC. seems like the older version (PCI or ISA) of 3Com NICs are troublemakers.

have you guys got the same problem with 3Com NICs?

VS

does anyone still wonder why some of us prefer to configure our systems from the console?


(with no offence meant to Tiyogi, you obviously went to quite a bit of effort to help)