Simple Linux Question

[rraehal]

I have a computer set up as a Dual Boot. It has XP and Linux Mandrake 9.2. All of my hardware always worked in Windows but not Linux.

Specs:
Intel D865PERL
Celeorn 2.0GHz (Plan to use P4C 3.0Ghz when I have the cash)
1024 Kingston RAM
60GB Seagate HDD (XP) - Primary Master
10GB WD HDD (Linux) - Primary Slave
CD-ROM (Secondary Slave)
CDRW (Secondary Master)
Intel AC97 Intgrated Audio (Will replace with Audigy at some point I think)
3COM 3C905B-TX Nic

The hardware in Linux that did not work was my NIC and Sound Card. This was with Mandrake 9.1 so I updated to 9.2 hoping it would fix my problem. This only fixed the sound card originally.

If I tried to start my NIC - eth0 - it would not start either static or DHCP. It always failed at boot. if I used ifconfig and started and stopped the NIc a few times - say 5 or 6 if not more - the NIC would finally bind to TCP/IP and I could connect to my other PC's via Samba. I was using a cross over cable.

I did not install any new packages in Linux. And I no longer have the problem. I only chnaged my ISP from Dial Up to DSL and installed and Router with DHCP. I reconfigured the NIC to DHCP and rebooted and have not had the problem since.

The question is does Linux not start a NIC correctly without it being attached to a HUB or Switch? This seems to be the solution to my problem. Now everything in Linux works and I do not need to change anything or tweak hardware.

I need to make Linux mount my windows volumes now and I will be set.

[rraehal]

I performed an experiment today. I installed Mandrake 9.2 on an P2 350 with an old NE200 ISA NIC. Everytime I unpklugged the NIC cable I would lose my TCP/IP address and my system services such as DNS and Samba would fail to function. It seems that mandrake 9.2 wants to be connected to a switch.

[Swordfish]

Hi! rraehal,

you may be on to somethin....man its been long time now most "Linux" threads are so quiet.

Anyways there were days when BFlurie and otheos used to reply to almost every thread on Linux. They used to be the Linux Gurus out here.

Perhaps linux is not everybdy's cup of tea.

although i am on a network out here, runnin on Redhat 9, using crossover cable, connecting 2 pc's, nothing of that sorts happenned to the systems.

do you think its a sort of bug in Mandrake?i haven't tried Mandrake though.

[maje87c]

I know I had a somewhat similar problem to yours in red hat 8.x(the best thing before 9, I can't remember what it was). I switched to Mandrake9 and the network connection was active(pc connected to the cable modem). Now, my other computer which shared my connection thru a crossover cable was not able to get a shared internet connection from the linux machine. I never did get that to work, whether linux was connected to the cable modem or another computer that shared a connection.

Now, when I got my wireless router, both PCs(in windows or mandrake) could connect to the internet(wired connection to the router).

To answer your question, I don't THINK linux ignores a NIC if it is not connected to a switch/hub/router, but I really don't know.

[rraehal]

Well, Linux has not given me a bit of trouble since I connected it to my Gateway/Router/Switch All In One (Sorry, My mom rented it and didn't know what she was getting - I would have bought equipment straight out but oh well. I'm not paying for it. Still I would prefer to have all seperate devices)

Just need to wonder from now on. Does it or doesn't it.