Almost...
Once you have the system configured and working, you CAN use EZSTART to
adjust the settings while the multiple cards are in the system.
The problem is any new cards or cards that came from the same place will
(typically) have the same I/O address, and EZSTART can't pick an
individual card to adjust if they do (actually, it comes up with an
error message saying there are either no cards or more than one at the
same I/O address). There are ways around this with the 8216 (not the
8416), but they involves bizzare acts, usually more difficult than
installing one card at a time, and are beyond the scope of my document.
Anyone that familiar with the quirks of the SMC8216 needed about three
lines out of my document anyway, and probably long ago figured it all
out.
Most software-set ISA boards have the same problem -- they can't pick
between multiple cards at the same I/O. I saw an exception at least
once, but I can't remember what it was. Thus, I still recommend
initally installing only one card at a time on any ISA system. Labeling
the cards is a great idea, assuming you have handwriting which is
legible (which is why I probably neglected to mention it! 8).
NICk.
"Michael W. Burden" wrote:
>
> One quick addition:
>
> The SMC cards that I have worked with all have the MAC address either
> silk-screened onto the card, or stuck on a label. I usually take a
> permanent marker and write the last two octets on the metal backplane
> of the card so that it is easy to tell which is which after you have
> closed the machine.
>
> If you do this, then it's not so bad using EZSTART.EXE to configure
> multiple cards at the same time, since EZSTART will show you the MAC
> addresses of the cards when it prompts you to select the card to
> configure.
>
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