NEC Versa P Models Do Not Function with Xircom PS-CE2-10

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When booting into Windows NT configured with a Xircom Credit Card Ethernet Adapter model PS-CE2-10, various difficulties may be encountered. An error message indicating that adapter driver could not be loaded may or may not appear. Even if no such warning is encountered, access to the network may not be possible. Another possible symptom is the ability to access the network, but at a very slow speed.

One additional symptom that has been observed is that Windows NT will function flawlessly with the Xircom adapter if the adapter was first initialized by another operating system such as Windows For Workgroups and the system then is warm booted into Windows NT.

CAUSE

According to NEC technical support, the Xircom adapter needs to configured to IRQ 5 on the Versa P in order to function with Windows NT. The difficulty arises from the fact that the built in sound adapter is also configured to IRQ 5 and cannot be changed.

RESOLUTION

The latest revision of the BIOS for the NEC Versa P models at the time of this writing is 1.02.15. This version of the BIOS allows the IRQ for the built in sound adapter to be configured to an IRQ other than IRQ 5.

Since the NEC Versa P employs Flash BIOS, the BIOS may be upgraded by simply downloading the current BIOS from NEC.

For details on availability of this update, please contact NEC Technical Support at 800-388-8888.

The Versa P Models are manufactured by NEC, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.