3Com EtherLink
EtherLink PCI Network Interface Card User Guide
Installing Multiple NICs 

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Installing Multiple NICs

This section describes how to install multiple EtherLink PCI (3C90x) NICs in a PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows NT 4.0.

     

     

    You must use these procedures to install multiple NICs. Failure to follow these procedures may lead to problems requiring you to reinstall your operating system.

Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows 2000

To install multiple NICs in a PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 2000, install and configure each NIC individually, following these steps:

  1. Run the preinstallation program before installing the NICs in the PC, as described in Running the Preinstallation Program.
  2. Install the first NIC in your PC and connect it to the network, as described in Inserting the NIC in the PC.
  3.  

     

    CAUTION: Do not physically install the second NIC in your PC until you complete the driver installation for the first NIC, following the steps below.
  4. Turn on the power to the PC and start Windows.
  5. Insert the EtherCD when prompted, and then click OK.
  6. Follow the prompts on the screen to install the network driver.
  7. See the "Windows 95," "Windows 98," or "Windows 2000" section earlier in this chapter for instructions.
  8. After the network driver is installed, restart the PC.
  9. After the PC restarts, exit Windows and turn the power off to the PC. Make sure that the PC is unplugged.
  10. Install the second NIC in your PC and connect it to the network.
  11. Plug in the PC power cord, turn on the power to the PC, and then start Windows.
  12. Windows detects the second NIC. The second NIC uses the same network driver as the first NIC. You are not prompted for the EtherCD.
    When Windows starts, the second NIC appears under Network adapters in the Device Manager.
  13. Repeat the process for each additional NIC to be installed.

Windows NT 4.0

To install multiple NICs in a PC running Windows NT 4.0:

  1. Install the NICs in your PC and connect each to the network.
  2. Turn on the power to the PC and start Windows NT.
  3. Double-click the My Computer icon, then the Control Panel icon, and then the Network icon.
  4. The Network screen appears.
  5. Select the Adapters tab.
  6. Click Add.
  7. The Select Network Adapter screen appears.
  8. Click Have Disk.
  9. Insert the EtherCD.
  10. Make sure that d:\ appears in the entry box (where d:\ represents the letter name of the CD-ROM drive), and then click OK.
  11. The Select OEM Option screen appears with the name of one of the NICs selected. Only one NIC appears on this screen.
  12. Click OK.
  13. Files are copied. The Network screen appears with the name of the first installed NIC.
  14. Close the Network screen.
  15. If you are prompted for network information, enter the requested information.
  16. Restart the PC.
  17. When Windows NT starts, repeat steps 3 through 11 for each NIC that is installed in the PC.
  18.  

     

    You will not be prompted for the EtherCD when you install the network driver for the second NIC.