Apple 10/100 Fast Ethernet PCI card not initializing

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Apple 10/100 Fast Ethernet PCI card not initializing

The Apple 10/100 Fast Ethernet PCI card came in today for my Rev. A Beige G3, but for some reason it doesn't seem to be providing any kind of network connectivity, using the same TCP/IP settings I had previously used for the 10mbit built-in Ethernet. I've tried swapping PCI slots, but this hasn't made any noticeable difference. The card appears to be functioning, though, as it reports its existence to the Apple System Profiler. The lights integrated on the card, however, show no signs of life, and attempting to set the time over the network fails. IIRC, I had similar problems trying to set up a 10/100 Realtek card with this machine in the past. Constructive suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

--James Chapel (Dragnerok X)

Beige Powermac G3 Minitower (Rev. A), Mac OS 9.2.x, 400MHz G3, 160MB RAM, Rage 128 Graphics, 6GB HD

Posted on Jun 10, 2010 7:08 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 10, 2010 7:43 PM in response to Dragnerok X

Are you sure you have the right cable? the lights should light up even if the software is screwy.

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Answer 2

Dragnerok X Author

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Jun 10, 2010 8:14 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

It's the same cable I successfully used in the past (i.e. ~48 hours ago) with the built-in 10mbit interface.

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Answer 3

Jeff

Level 6

12,328 points

Jun 10, 2010 10:34 PM in response to Dragnerok X

Since you're running a pre-OS X version on that beige G3, did you install the "Apple 10/100 Fast Ethernet" driver for the card in the Extensions folder? It would not be installed during a routine installation, if the PCI card were not previously installed. The driver can be extracted from the System Installer Tome, using the downloadable utility, "TomeViewer."

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Answer 4

Dragnerok X Author

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Jun 10, 2010 11:05 PM in response to Jeff

That's a good idea. I just finished the check, and the only driver I could find that would apply to the card, "Apple Enet", was already installed.

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Answer 5

Jeff

Level 6

12,328 points

Jun 11, 2010 7:59 AM in response to Dragnerok X

The "Apple Enet" driver is for the onboard ethernet. The Apple 10/100 Fast Ethernet card was a build-to-order option and the driver for it (by the same name) was included on the beige G3 Restore disks. It was later included in the System tome on subsequent OS installer disks, and would be installed if the card were present. Here's the info sheet for it.

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Answer 6

Dragnerok X Author

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Jun 11, 2010 11:41 AM in response to Jeff

Loading up the 10/100 Fast Ethernet extension in Mac OS 8.1 appears to detect the card as "Ethernet slot B1", as it did in Mac OS 9.2.1 without the extension, but again, provides no sign of life through blinking lights or network activity.

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Answer 7

Dragnerok X Author

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Jun 11, 2010 1:01 PM in response to Dragnerok X

Alright, I now know that the card works. I tried eliminating a few unnecessary variables by connecting the computer directly to my router. Still no sign of life... then out of sheer curiosity, I connected the Ethernet cable going into the PCI card back into the built-in port. The router indicated network activity, despite both the Appletalk and TCP/IP control panels being configured for the new card. Sensing an extension conflict, I removed the built-in Ethernet extension, and after rebooting, for the first time since I received it, the cards lights majestically lit and network access was faster than ever. Unfortunately though, this was in OS 8, and once I moved my computer back to my switch (which, again, the built-in Ethernet works fine with) the lights on the card went dark. I'm going to get OS 9 back on this tower, and any thoughts or suggestions as to how I should proceed would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 8

Jun 11, 2010 1:32 PM in response to Dragnerok X

If you re-install with the card in place, the correct extensions will be installed automatically.

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Answer 9

Dragnerok X Author

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Jun 11, 2010 3:26 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That would make the most sense, but even after installing a fresh copy of Mac OS 9.2.1, while the card may be detected, for some reason the built-in Ethernet adapter keeps overriding the card in that, even when "Ethernet slot B1" is selected and saved in the Appletalk and TCP/IP control panels, the built-in card is the active adapter. There's got to be a way to disable the thing...

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Answer 10

Dragnerok X Author

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Jun 11, 2010 6:12 PM in response to Dragnerok X

This looks promising: http://www.computeruser.com/articles/mac-s-dirty-little-ethernet-secret.html

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Answer 11

Dragnerok X Author

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15 points

Jun 13, 2010 9:37 PM in response to Dragnerok X

It seems I've hit on a lead. A fragile lead, but a lead, none-the-
less. Previously, my network was running with manually-configured IP
addresses between my Powermac G3 and generic Windows 7 box to share
its internet connection (Wi-Fi) and play the occasional cross-platform
LAN game (Unreal Tournament), using a generic 10/100 switch and cat5e
cables on the hardware end. Switching both to DHCP, then restarting
the mac with the standard "apple enet" driver enabled, brought the
card back to life in Mac OS 9.2.1, indicating network activity on both
the switch and Apple PCI card. As an experiment, I thought I'd leave
the mac set to DHCP while retaining some control through manual
settings on the PC. After restart, that took down the connection and I
have yet to replicate my earlier solution.

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Answer 12

Jun 13, 2010 10:01 PM in response to Dragnerok X

Do you have two cables and two open ports on the router? try connecting both the built-in Ethernet and the PCI Ethernet. Let the built-in establish the connection, then try to select the PCI connection. Might be inconvenient to have two cables connected, but this might prevent the built-in from locking things up when no cable is connected. Worth a try.

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