IBM x Series 200 User Manual
Page 27
 
Diagnostics
19
Ethernet controller
problem
Suggested Action
The server stops 
running when loading 
device drivers.
The PCI BIOS interrupt settings are incorrect.
Check the following:
•
Determine if the IRQ setting assigned to the Ethernet controller 
is also assigned to another device in the Configuration/Setup 
Utility program. 
Although interrupt sharing is allowed for PCI devices, some 
devices do not function well when they share an interrupt with 
a dissimilar PCI device. Try changing the IRQ assigned to the 
Ethernet controller or the other device. For example, for 
NetWare Versions 3 and 4 it is recommended that disk 
controllers not share interrupts with LAN controllers.
•
Make sure that you are using the most recent device driver 
available from the World Wide Web. 
•
Run the network diagnostic program.
If the problem remains, call for service.
The LAN activity light 
(when available) does 
not light.
Check the following:
•
Make sure that you have loaded the network device drivers.
•
The network might be idle. Try sending data from this 
workstation.
•
Run diagnostics on the LEDs.
•
The function of this LED can be changed by device driver load 
parameters. If necessary, remove any LED parameter settings 
when you load the device drivers.
Data is incorrect or 
sporadic.
Check the following:
•
Make sure that you are using Category 5 cabling when 
operating the server at 100 Mbps.
•
Make sure that the cables do not run close to noise-inducing 
sources like fluorescent lights.
The Ethernet 
controller stopped 
working when 
another adapter was 
added to the server.
Check the following:
•
Make sure that the cable is connected to the Ethernet controller.
•
Make sure that your PCI server BIOS is current.
•
Reseat the adapter.
•
Determine if the IRQ setting assigned to the Ethernet adapter is 
also assigned to another device in the Configuration/Setup 
Utility program. 
Although interrupt sharing is allowed for PCI devices, some 
devices do not function well when they share an interrupt with 
a dissimilar PCI device. Try changing the IRQ assigned to the 
Ethernet adapter or the other device.
If the problem remains, call for service.
Table 3. Ethernet troubleshooting chart.