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AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1196                5-25-95

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BRAVO MS EMM ERRORS WITH 3COM PCI ETHERNET CARD


PROBLEM

The Bravo MS may experience EMM exception errors with the 3COM 3c590 PCI 
Ethernet card.  The error may occur when attempting to transfer large amounts 
of information across the network.  If the Busmastering feature is turned OFF 
on this card, the problem is not seen.


CAUSE

Some drivers enable Busmastering by default causing EMM exception errors, 
while others disable the Busmastering feature when loaded.  This feature can 
also be disabled in the adapter BIOS.


SYSTEMS AFFECTED
AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION

501534-401      BRAVO MS P/90


SOLUTION

Download the new drivers (version 4.2) from 3COM's BBS (408-980-8204).  
File 3C59XN.EXE can be found selecting the following: Software Download, 
Adapter Drivers, Patches and Fixes, 3C59XN.EXE.

These drivers are also located on CompuServe by selecting the following:
Ask Threecom, Drivers/Diagnostics, 4.2 EhterDisk 3C59.

NOTE

A new card that will incorporate new PCI specifications along with new 
drivers contained in filename 3C59XX.EXE will be available in June of 1995.