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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.