3C905B - Cannot connect to NetWare server or there is no Netware logon prompt on reboot

Symptoms:
Note: One or more of these symptoms may occur
- Cannot connect to NetWare server
- Client unable to login to Novell Server
- Extremely slow login when connecting to Novell Netware
- Cannot connect with IPX/SPX after configuring TCP/IP
- No login prompt
- Rconsole does not show server list

Operating systems:
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
Novell NetWare
Novell NetWare Client 32

Fix:
Set the frame type for the 3C905B-TX:
For Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98:
1. START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL>NETWORK
2. In Network Configuration tab, double-click IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol (Note: If IPX/SPX is listed more than once, select the one that is bound to 3Com)
3. Click the Advanced tab
4. Highlight Frame Type in the Property window
5. Arrow down next to the word "Auto" (on the right) and select the appropriate frame type: Ethernet 802.2, Ethernet 802.3
6. Click OK
7. Click OK again
8. Click YES to restart computer
NOTE: If using Novell Client 32, repeat the above procedure for IPX 32-bit Protocol, so that the frame is set for both IPX/SPX and IPX 32-bit protocols.

For Microsoft Windows NT 4.0:
1. START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL>NETWORK
2. Click the Protocols tab, double-click NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport
3. In the General tab, click on the down arrow next to Frame Type
4. Select the appropriate frame type: Ethernet 802.2, Ethernet 802.3
5. Click OK
6. Click OK again
7. Click YES to restart computer

Fix:
If frame type is already set, and NetWare login still does not appear:
1. START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL>NETWORK
2. In Network Configuration tab, double-click IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol (Note: If IPX/SPX is listed more than once, select the one that is bound to 3Com)
3. Click the ADVANCED tab
4. Highlight MAXIMUM CONNECTIONS
5. Change the Value from Not Set to 16
6. Highlight MAXIMUM SOCKETS
7. Change the Value from Not Set to 32
8. Click OK
9. Click OK again
10. Click YES to restart computer

Fix:
If the Novell NetWare logon prompt still does not appear, set the media type:
1. For Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0:
a. Double-click the 3Com tray icon (lower right corner of desktop)
b. Click on the Properties tab
c. Click on Media Type
d. Click on the arrow bar on the right side, next to Auto
e. Select 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX, depending on what speed your hub or switch is using
Note: The corresponding duplex setting should automatically be set
f. Click OK
g. Exit the diagnostics program
h. Restart Microsoft Windows 95

2. For other operating systems:
a. Boot with a DOS-bootable diskette
b. At the A:\> prompt, type: 3C90XCFG and press Enter
c. Press F4 to "Configure NIC"
d. Change the media type on the NIC to the appropriate speed:
i. Press TAB until Network Optimization is highlighted
ii. Press the down arrow to get to Media Type
iii. Press Enter
iv. Select 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX, depending on what speed your hub or switch is using
Note: The corresponding duplex setting should automatically be set
e. Save the configuration to the NIC:
i. Press TAB until OK is highlighted
ii. Press Enter. NOTE: A message stating that the configuration has been saved to the NIC will be displayed.
iii. Restart the computer

Fix:
If the above fixes do not resolve the issue, install the latest driver (EtherDisk 4.0 or later):
To download driver:
1. Access the 3Com website at www.3com.com
a. Under Site Tools, click on Software Downloads
b. Click Network Interface Cards
c. Select one of the Pull-down menu options for your NIC. For example, under the Product Number menu, highlight 3C905B and click Go There.
d. Under Shipping Drivers, click either HTTP or FTP
2. The driver HTML page will describe the three-disk set and the respective drivers contained on each disk
3. Click on the desired disk to download

To extract the driver file:
1. Create a folder/directory right off the root of your hard drive (such as C:\3COM)
Note: If the file is embedded several directories deep from the root, or stored in a directory
with a Microsoft Windows 95 long filename, it may not extract completely. A DOS "Write error" may also occur.
2. After copying the file to the folder/directory, execute the extraction:
a. In Windows, double click on the file
b. In DOS, type the executable file name (such as 3c90x1x.exe) and then press the Enter key
3. A DOS window should appear with a License Agreement. Type y to accept.
4. After the extraction is finished, go back into the directory
5. The files and folders should now be visible
6. To transfer the files/folders to a floppy disk:
a. Open the folder/directory
b. Select all the files and folders except for the executable file itself (such as 3c90x1x.exe) and copy to the floppy disk