README.TXT File 3Com Corporation 3Com EtherLink III LAN+Modem PC Card (3C562, 3C563 PC Card family) Read this file before installing the 3Com EtherLink III LAN+Modem PC Card. This file contains information that became available after the 3Com EtherLink III LAN+Modem PC Card User Guide was published. This file is divided into the following sections: Windows 95 - The latest Windows 95 information. General Information - General network operating system information. Firmware Upgrades - Information on upgrading the modem firmware. Fax/Modem Communications - Fax/Modem installation tips. Novell NetWare Information - Information for Novell NetWare users. NDIS Operating System Instructions - Information for NDIS users. Updates and corrections User Guide - User Guide updates. Problems and Solutions - Solutions to recently discovered problems. Windows 95 ========== The information in the User's Guide for 3C562D/3C563D is current. General Information =================== The information in the User's Guide for 3C562D/3C563D is current. Firmware Upgrades =================== You can download firmware upgrade files from one of 3Com's on-line libraries. For information on 3COm's on-line support services, refer to Appendix E of the User Guide or see the SUPPORT.TXT file on the EtherDisk diskette. When downloading firmware upgrade files for the LAN+Modem card, be sure you get the correct version for your card: 562BFIRM.EXE is the self-extracting archive for upgrading the 3C562B/3C563B LAN+28.8 Modem PC Card firmware. 562CFIRM.EXE is the self-extracting archive for upgrading the 3C562C/3C563C LAN+33.6 Modem PC Card firmware. 562DFIRM.EXE is the self-extracting archive for upgrading the 3C562D/3C563D LAN+33.6 Modem PC Card firmware. NOTE: Check the model number on the bottom side of your card. If the label says 3C562B/3C563B, use the "B" version files. If the label says 3C562C/3C563C, use the "C" version files. If the label says 3C562D/3C563D, use the "D" version files. CAUTION: Be sure you use the correct firmware image file for your card. Using the wrong firmware image file will make your card inoperable. Run the self-extracting archive by typing: 562dfirm [Enter] This creates five files: FLASHROM.EXE This is the program for upgrading your firmware under DOS or OS/2 WINFLASH.EXE Use this program for upgrading your firmware under Windows 95 or Windows NT 3COM.FFF This is the firmware image file for the 3C562B/3C563B LAN+28.8 Modem PC Card. LICENSE.TXT The 3Com license agreement for your card and software. INSTALL.TXT Instructions for performing the upgrade procedure. Perform the upgrade from the hard drive. Before starting the procedure: - Disconnect the cables from the LAN+Modem card. - Connect to a reliable AC power source (do not use battery power only). CAUTION: Interruptions during the download procedure may corrupt the data and damage the card. FIRMWARE UPGRADES UNDER DOS On DOS platforms, the FLASHROM utility works with Card Services and Intel PC Card (and compatible) controllers. If your laptop does not have a suitable card controller, be sure Card Services is loaded. FLASHROM will not run with the network drivers, but the 3Com Configuration Manager, 3CELCM.EXE, must be loaded to enable the modem. 1. Turn on the computer and boot DOS without loading the network drivers. 2. Load 3CELCM.EXE to enable the modem. Type: 3celcm [Enter] 3. Verify that the FLASHROM.EXE program can see the card. Type: flashrom version [Enter] This should display the current version of the LAN+Modem card firmware. If the program cannot find the card, reconfigure the card and try again. 4. Run the FLASHROM program to upgrade the firmware. flashrom 3com.fff [Enter] FLASHROM displays a message when the upgrade is complete. After upgrading the firmware, reboot the PC before using the LAN+Modem card. FIRMWARE UPGRADES UNDER WINDOWS 95 AND WINDOWS NT For firmware upgrades under Windows 95 and Windows NT, the ELPC3X.VXD driver must be loaded to enable the COM port. Unplug the cables so the card is not connected during the upgrade. To upgrade your firmware under Windows 95 and Windows NT: 1. Open a DOS window. 2. Run WINFLASH from the Start menu, Explorer, or File Manager. 3. Click on Locate Card. This finds the card, enables the COM port, and displays the current version of the LAN+Modem card firmware. If the program cannot find the card, reconfigure the card and try again. 4. Click Upgrade to upgrade the firmware on your LAN+Modem card. 5. Select the firmware image file 3COM.FFF and click OPEN. This will start the firmware upgrade. After upgrading the firmware, reboot the PC before using the LAN+Modem card. FIRMWARE UPGRADES UNDER OS/2 1. Open a DOS window. 2. If the card is in LAN mode, run 3Switch to enable it for MODEM operation. Type: 3switch modem [Enter] 3. Verify that the FLASHROM.EXE program can see the card. Type: flashrom version [Enter] This should display the current version of the LAN+Modem card firmware. If the program cannot find the card, reconfigure the card and try again. 4. Run the FLASHROM program to upgrade the firmware. Upgrade the "D" version LAN+Modem card with the MNPV201D.ROM image file, for example, by typing: flashrom 3com.fff [Enter] FLASHROM displays a message when the upgrade is complete. After upgrading the firmware, reboot the PC before using the LAN+Modem card. Fax/Modem Communications ======================== The information in the User's Guide for 3C562D/3C563D is current. Novell Netware Information ========================== The information in the User's Guide for 3C562D/3C563D is current. NDIS Operating System Instructions ================================== The information in the User's Guide for 3C562D/3C563D is current. Updates and Corrections for the User Guide ========================================== The information in the User's Guide for 3C562D/3C563D is current. Problems and Solutions ====================== The entries in the AutoIQ KnowledgeBase are current. Run AutoIQ and select your search parameters. Search by notebook computer model. Options include: All Gateway Sager AST HP TI Austin IBM Toshiba Compaq NEC Winbook Dell NP Search by problem type. Options include: All Card Services COM port problems IRQ conflicts IRDA port problems Modem Problems Communication Software Setup/Installation (%VER README.TXT v3.0f)