I've spent the past week getting Linux running on my Inspiron 7000 and thought
I'd share one of my recent battle scars. I appologize for the length of the
post. The executive summary preceeds the full story. It'll give you a chance to
bail early if you are not interested. :-)
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Executive Summary
Configuration:
Inspiron 7000 with internal WinModem (two partitions: Win98 and RedHat 5.2)
3Com 3CCFE575BT CardBus ethernet adapter
PCMCIA drivers/utilities 3.06
Recommendation:
Exclude IRQ 3 (and 5) in /etc/pcmcia/config.opt to prevent trashing your
WinModem!
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Long Version
I have a 7000 with the internal WinModem. Windoze 98 sets up the WinModem on IRQ
3. I have been setting up Linux (Red Hat 5.2) on a separate partition. I have
the 3Com 3CCFE575BT CardBus ethernet adapter and installed the latest pcmcia
drivers (3.06). BTW - The directions on
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~steveh/inspiron/pcmcia-cs_redhat.txt were really
helpful.
When Linux came up it recognized the card, but I was unable to get it working in
spite of much tweeking of the standard network admin files. At one point I was
able to ping another machine on my home network, but there was heavy packet loss
(70-80% packet loss). I finally checked /var/log/messages and saw some errors
that referenced IRQ conflicts. With cardctl I verify that the 3Com card has been
assigned to IRQ 3. So, I edit /etc/pcmcia/config.opts and restrict IRQs 3.
Reboot. Now the 3Com card is on IRQ 5 and there are still errors in
/var/log/messages. I restrict IRQ 5. Reboot. The card is on IRQ 9 and is
working fine. Huzzah!
Now, I reboot Windoze to check my email at work (I have a PCMCIA modem for use
with Linux, but I haven't gotten it configured yet.) I try to dial out using the
WinModem. Unfortunately, the WinModem seems to be *gone* as far as Windoze is
concerned... The device does not respond. It still appears in the device list,
but when I display the modem's properties it shows errors (I forget the exact
message, but something to the effect of "Modem, what modem? You don't have a
modem.") I remove the device and reboot. Windoze does not detect any new
hardware. I reload the drivers from the Dell utilities disk. Reboot. Nothing.
No new hardware. I try to add it explicitly. Not in the list of modems to add.
Can't get there from here. $@#$*&# Windoze! I plug in the PCMCIA modem, get it
configured (under Windoze) and dial out. Much unsavory language is heard (hope
Santa wasn't watching/listening :-))
Looks like some of my tinkering with the 3Com card under Linux managed to get the
WinModem completely hosed. Could it have responded to the interrupts intended
for the 3Com card and toasted itself? I dunno.
I have not tried a reload of Windoze from scratch. Probably won't bother. Since
I can't use the WinModem under Linux, and have the PCMCIA modem anyway I don't
really care.
Moral of the story: If you have a 7000 and WinModem, and you want to use the
WinModem under Windoze, exclude IRQ 3 and 5 in /etc/pcmcia/config.opts before
attempting to use a PCMCIA network adapter (at least the 3Com 575!).
JR
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"Never mistake a clear view for a short distance." - Unknown
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