Symptom
There have been reports of conflicts with the EtherExpress(TM) 16 card
and some video cards. The conflicts that we have seen are usually with
lower-priced video cards with the Trident chip sets or the Tseng chip
sets. These conflicts present themselves in a number of ways. One is
the computer not booting after installing the EtherExpress 16 card in
that computer. Another is the computer boots but it beeps three times
indicating the video failed and there is no video.
We have also had reports that Gateway 2000 Local Bus will not boot with
the EtherExpress 16 and 16TP installed. Usually, as the system starts
to boot, an error or message is received indicating a problem with the
local drive.
The EtherExpress 16 adapter card has been modified to alleviate these
conflicts.
Solution
The modification for the EtherExpress 16/16TP was initiated in early
June, 1992. By looking at the serial number on the box, it can be
determined if the modification has been done on the board. The board's
serial number is on the box end label. The key is the last 5 digits of
the serial number are the WorkWeek, Year, and M-site.
x x x x x x x x x x x
| | | | |
| | | ------ M-Site
| | |
| | --------- Year (1=1991, 2=1992)
| |
-------------- WorkWeek
IF THE M-SITE IS 07, then boards built during or after WorkWeek 20, 1992
have been modified.
IF THE M-SITE IS 13, then boards built during or after WorkWeek 25, 1992
has been modified.
IF THE M-SITE IS 12, then boards built during or after WorkWeek 21, 1992
has been modified.
Examples: 12345624213 has been modified.
12345620213 has NOT been modified.
Manufacturing is also reworking RMA'ed boards and boards that were in
the warehouse when the modification started. However, there is no easy
way for them to mark the outside of the box to indicate the board inside
has been modified. They can, however, mark the board itself. So, if a
board was built before these dates, the customer must open the box and
look for a "QAN" number on the back of the board. This is a white label
with the number 350032 printed on it.