Disabling Bus Mastering On 3Com 3C590 PCI Network Cards

Last reviewed: April 10, 1997
Article ID: Q141299

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.51 and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51 and 4.0

SUMMARY

As a test procedure or if you are experiencing bus contention with your 3Com 3C590 PCI or 3c595 (10/100 mb/sec) network cards, you can disable bus mastering to alleviate busmaster contention, or to test whether busmaster contention is the cause of your problems.

NOTE: You may also disable bus mastering to avoid contention between two busmastering devices.

MORE INFORMATION

To disable bus mastering:

  1. Run REGEDT32

  2. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE open the System folder

  3. Open CurrentControlSet folder

  4. Open Services Folder

  5. Open EL59X1 folder (If you have more than one adapter, you need to

        repeat steps 7-15.  The folders are named EI59X2, EI59X3, etc.)
    

  6. Open Parameters folder

  7. Choose 'Add Value' option in the Edit pull down menu

  8. Type Busmaster for the value

  9. Check that the data type is REG_SZ

  10. Click the OK button

  11. Type NO in the string box

  12. Check the registry to verify that the following line was added

         "Busmaster:REG_SZ:NO"
    

  13. Shutdown and restart NT

To verify:

  1. Open Event Viewer under System

  2. Click on first instance of EI59X

  3. Should read "Busmaster support has been turned off for slot XX"

3Com suggests that you download the new Windows NT driver from their Internet site. The driver is available at:

   http://infodeli.3com.com/infodeli/swlib/shipping_adapter_files.htm

The driver name is 3C59XX.EXE.

The 3C590 is manufactured by 3Com, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.


Additional query words: prodnt lock hang freeze hangs freezes locks up
Keywords : kbenv kbnetwork ntdriver
Version : 3.51 4.0
Platform : WinNT
Issue type : kbhowto


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Last reviewed: April 10, 1997
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