Very slow booting with 3Com 3c905c-tx

Danielm7 · Post by **Danielm7** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 1:06 am

Just built up a new machine and the boot process slowed to a crawl when installing the above nic. It has a static ip, but when it boots I get 2 different prompts, 1 to configure but hitting that just makes the boot take longer and a 2nd to hit n to boot from network. I don't use either of these functions, does anyone know how to bypass them so it doesn't ask me every boot and double my start up times?
thanks,
Daniel

Splitfire · Post by **Splitfire** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 1:44 am

We should start a "frequently asked question" forum and just have a permanent list of questions that get asked ALL THE TIME for people who can't/won't/don't use the S E A R C H feature.

The increased boot time is due to the NIC looking for a network to connect to. Static IPs are supposed to bypass that problem, but my experience would suggest otherwise. Basically, you can get around this by removing or disabling the NIC. If you don't like those options, you can get a real OS (like Win2k, linux, etc.) that know how to handle networks and NICs.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 7:02 am

Yep, adding a NIC greatly increases boot time for any PC I've done that too, like go get some coffee while waiting.
I've never seen a NIC configure screen showing up while booting unless maybe you havent yet added network protocols or the NICs driver?
As for the other, if you go into control panel/network and select "windows logon" instead of "client for microsoft" it won't ask you for a network password when booting.
I take it you don't need the NIC or what?

Danielm7 · Post by **Danielm7** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 7:48 am

Seems you might have missed the part in the first post where I said I was using a static ip, I'm fully aware of the searching for the dhcp issue but this isn't that. Also I'm running win2k pro on this machine, actually all the machines in the house are running win2k pro.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 8:39 am

Adding a NIC does slightly increase boot time, but it shouldn't be anything dramatic.

Need more info. Not sure I understand.

Full system specs.

1st prompt comes up to configure what, excatly?

2nd prompt asks to boot from the network?

What network protocals and features do you have installed?

What are you using the NIC for? Internet access? File and Printer sharing?

Danielm7 · Post by **Danielm7** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 8:57 am

System specs:
MSI k7t pro2a
duron 650@1000
128 megs infineon ram
matrox g400 max
3com nic
haven't added too much to the system since it was just put together.
I'm at work now but the first prompt says something along the lines of hit control-alt-b to configure, I hit it but it just seems to take longer and not give me any options. The 2nd prompt says to hit N to boot from network.
Only have tcp/ip installed, with ip of 192.168.0.5 and sm of 255.255.255.0.
The nic is being used for internet access via cable router and file/print sharing with the other machine.
thanks,
Daniel

Buttermaker · Post by **Buttermaker** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 11:02 am

Hey Dan,

the first prompt says something along the lines of hit control-alt-b to configure, I hit it but it just seems to take longer and not give me any options.

It's weird that it doesn't give you any options. A menu should appear which lets you configure different stuff including the option to turn off that prompt.

What you can try is installing the 3Com drivers which include the diagnostic utility. That might let you turn off that prompt too.

Danielm7 · Post by **Danielm7** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 11:33 am

Thanks butter I'll look for some other 3com drivers that maybe give me that option, it was auto-recognized in win2k so I went with the default drivers but it's surely worth a try.
Daniel

Splitfire · Post by **Splitfire** » Mon Jan 29, 2001 4:23 pm

I'm not exactly clear on when this mnu thing is happening, but check your boot sequence in the BIOS and see if your NIC is in there. A lot of new boards will let you boot from a network. Try either moving it down in the sequence or removing it all together.