Problems with 3Com NIC drivers?

[xortam]

I noticed in the Q3 stuttering thread there was mention of some problems when using the 3Com NIC drivers. I searched for similar comments and read that the recommendation is to use the minimal driver set. I've been having lag problems (not hang-ups) running Q3 on a USR 56K modem and wonder if this NIC driver change would affect anything. I'm using the 3.20.40 driver (v3.01, guess I never retrieved an update) and see that the current version is 4.01b. Does anyone know what specific issues there are with the full version? Were these problems only with the 4.01b version of the drivers? I didn't spot this issue on the 3Com site.

[This message has been edited by xortam (edited 06 February 2000).]

[xortam]

No takers on this question? Well, it seems the NIC probably doesn't make any difference anyway. I disabled the NIC in Win98 device manager and I didn't notice any better play ... I think (lag fluctuates all the time so its hard to tell small changes).

[paul]

yank the card and play.

[stevenscott]

I have a network with 2 3com NIC's in the server, and no problems here. also have a cable modem.

------------------
Home:
Server:
I run a Matrox Marvel G400 AGP with an:
Abit BE6 MotherBoard
Win98
Adaptec CD Creator 4
Pentium III 450
128 MB Ram
SB Live
Maxtor 13 GIG HD
2 3com Nic cards
Wingate 3.05
1 Symbios SCSI for my HP Photo Scanner
Boca 56K Int. Modem
Mitsumi 4801-TE CD-R
MS Precision Pro Joystick
Surfboard SB1200 cable modem
Shamrock 17" Monitor
HP OfficeJet Pro 1175Cse 4/1 printer/Scanner/Fax/copier
-------------------
Client1:
AbitBX6 MB
Win98
Celeron 300a
Maxtor 6.4 GIG HD
128 MB Ram
Netsurf NIC
SB Live sound card
Teac CDRom
Matrox Mystique G200 video card
Boca 56K Int. Modem
MS Precision Pro Joystick
Shamrock 15" monitor
----------------

[xortam]

No Paul, removing the NIC is not an option. I need an Ethernet NIC for my networking. I would think that disabling the device would be an adequate test.

stevenscott, You say you've played Quake 3 on that platform? I'm using a 3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100Mb TX NIC (3C905B-TX). Which are you using? Which drivers?

Again, does anyone know what the specific issues are regarding the G400 and the full 3Com NIC drivers? Is it only hangs or are there performance issues as well?

[stevenscott]

hello,
I never played Quake on it, I must have misunderstood, but have plaed many games online, I play flight sims mostly, on kali and zone.com. So, I cannot speak for quake, but have no problems at al with my network and being on a external cable modem and 3COM network cards.

[This message has been edited by stevenscott (edited 07 February 2000).]

[xortam]

My fault ... I guess I didn't make myself clear. The problem that people have reported is in regards to running Quake 3 Arena on a PC which is equipped with 3Com NICs. I believe only hangs were reported and my question was has anyone noticed not hangs, but lag problems in this environment. I use a USR 56K modem which is experiencing wild fluctuations in Q3 pings and packet loss.