HOW TO INSTALL THE ACER
ALN-320 ETHERNET FAST ETHERNET ADAPTER
Last updated: 07/30/03
 This
completes the adapter installation, but probably not the network installation. The
network installation is completed by double-clicking the Network icon in
the Control Panel. The easiest way to do this is to install and configure
network protocols, clients, etc. to match another computer already
operating on your network. You will have to assign a different computer
name at the Identification tab. If you have an NT or Novell file server, you
will have to create and configure a user account, etc. I will discuss
setting-up network protocols, clients, etc., and trouble-shooting network
problems in future articles. Look for an article on networking
two windows 95/98 Computers in the next few days--the main reason I wrote
this article.
How to start over (I've had to do this more than once with
this card):
Click
Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> double click Network --> click
the ALN-320 entry --> click "Remove" --> click OK
Double
click the System icon in the Control Panel --> Click the Device Manger
tab --> click the + to expand Network Adapters --> highlight the ALN-320
icon if it is present --> click Remove.
Get
out of the Control Panel.
Depending
on the circumstances (e.g., to install new drivers, etc.) you may want to
remove the following files from your computer before shutting-down to restart
the process:
C:\WINDOWS\INF\ALN320.INF
C:\WINDOWS\INF\ALN320.PNF
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ALN320.SYS
Restart
Windows. It should detect the board and allow you the opportunity to
reinstall everything.
The floppy disk that comes with the adapter includes a
diagnostic utility, ACERSET.EXE, which is useful for troubleshooting. If
you attempt to run it from a DOS Window in Windows you will disconnect your
computer from you network and see misleading diagnostic errors indications. Shut-down
Windows, turn your computer off, boot to the DOS prompt by pushing the F8
key just as windows starts to boot, and run the program from DOS. (You
can also boot Win 98 to the DOS prompt by holding the Ctrl key just before
the boot process starts.) There is also an INSTALL.EXE program which
will run the diagnostics and set up DOS ODI client drivers (if your need
them; most don't) for Novell networks.
You may want to check your CMOS setup to make sure BusMastering
is enabled, but that is the default on the many motherboards. I don't recommend this
unless you are sure you know what you are doing.
Obviously, there is no way I can provide instructions which
anticipate every installation scenario or solve all of problems which may
arise with all of the various network adapters on the market. And,
unfortunately, we are certainly not equipped to provide unlimited free advise. But,
time permitting, I'll try to answer my E-Mail.
Please see our CONTACT page
if you have any comments or corrections that would make this article better. Please
use our Forums if
you need help with a computer or network problem.
Larry
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