Messages in this thread | | | Date | Sat, 20 Dec 1997 15:23:33 -0500 | From | Bill Hawes <> | Subject | Re: 3c9xx Support. |
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Philip Blundell wrote: > > >The 3c905 cards have been a source of endless trouble and frustration, > >[...] > >I hope the cards were free, or else you overpaid ... > > Do you think the cards are inherently broken, or is it just that the drivers > have been a bit flaky?
I've only watched the 3c905 affair from a distance, but my impression is that 3Com has withheld vital information necessary to work around the card's quirks if not outright bugs. Donald Becker has a great deal of experience in writing drivers, and several of the people who have helped with the driver also have a good understanding of the problems. So I can't believe it would be so difficult to get the driver working given proper documentation.
At one point I tried to get the technical specs for the card, thinking to help debug the driver. (I had foolishly purchased a pair based on 3Com's reputation before looking into the driver situation.) After being promised a copy of the databook (and making several followup calls), I never received anything.
For me 3Com is one my "never again" list, and I can only hope that enough people will likewise recommend against them that the company will either mend its ways or go out of business.
Regards, Bill
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