network Adapter problems

[lou]

LINKSYS nic. When I install the nic the PC monitor flickers after it boots. System is: AMD Athlon 128MB - Win98. Tried 2 nic cards in various slots-- same problem. The instructions do not call for a pre-installation software. It should see card when booting, but It never gets to the point where windows asks for driver. It just boots to a 1/4 sized flickering screen. The 2 cards are part of a starter kit with a hub. Can 2 cards be bad? or is there an IRQ problem? How can I resolve it?
Any Ideas? Thanks

[Scott Isaacs]

Sounds like an IRQ conflict between your video card and your nic card. Most PCI nics like to pull IRQ 5 as a default(minus 3Com and a few others which like to pull IRQ 3). Most ISA Nic's like to pull IRQ 10 or 11. As a general rule when your Nic tries to pull the same IRQ as your video, the video wins and the Nic is disabled, because if you don't have video what good is the Nic. In your case though it sounds as if they are fighting over the IRQ. I would take out the Nic and reboot your system and check what IRQ your video is on. If it is on the Nic might be trying to take I would purchase a different card and then try it. Good Luck!