Realtek RTL8111 IRQ Conflict

[jim.software]

I have a NexCom NISE-100 which reports a Realtek RTL8111 ethernet chip.

The problem is after about 1-2 minutes the activity lights on the ethernet port start flashing very quickly and all ethernet capabilities are gone.  I cannot ping, connect to the internet, or nslookup.

This computer/ethernet chip works in TinyCore 2.9 and works with various other linux distros.
It does not work with TinyCore 3.0 and forward.
It appears there is an IRQ Conflict between the USB controller and the ethernet.  And my belief is this is a linux driver/kernel problem.

Are there any known work-a-rounds?

Is the TinyCore kernel going to be updated soon?

Thanks
Jim

[gerald_clark]

You might check your BIOS to see if you can reassign one of them.

[jim.software]

I have tried many things.  Here is a list of the ones I can remember:

BIOS
   cannot find any options for changing/setting IRQs

Boot options
   noapic
   nolapic
   acpi=off
   acpi=noirq

ifconfig option "irq=X"

[jim.software]

All things I can find about this problem, indicate this is a kernel bug.
TinyCore, Please update the kernel to a version that does not contain this bug.

[danielibarnes]

This is a very common platform (Atom N270 w/RTL8111) so I expect your issue is resolvable. Can you provide the references which lead you to conclude it is a bug?

The BIOS settings really are your best starting point. The manual indicates the USB controller may be disabled. This is a good troubleshooting step to isolate and confirm the problem. Also, make sure you have disabled any COM ports (and any other hardware) you are not using.

[jim.software]

The hardware is being used by someone else. Therefore, I will not be able to do any testing for a 2-3 weeks.

The reason I believe this is a bug is because the hardware combination works with the following distros
TinyCore 2.9
Ubuntu 10.10
PartedMagic 4.5
Puppy 5.0.1

Also, the network port works for a short time after enabling it.  After 10-60 seconds, the network port LED starts blinking very fast and the network no longer is accessible.  I can disable the network (if down) and re-enable (if up) and the network port will work again for 10-60 seconds.

When I get the hardware back, I'll try a little more troubleshooting.  But, disabling the USB is not a permanent solution for me.

[danielibarnes]

I will not be able to do any testing for a 2-3 weeks.

If it's something with the 2.6.33.3 kernel or its config, then TC 4.0 and it's updated kernel might help.

disabling the USB is not a permanent solution for me.

Not a solution, just a troubleshooting step.

[jim.software]

It has been a long while...
I have installed TinyCore (CorePlus) version 4.3.1.  This version works very well with my network adapter.

Thanks
Jim

[danielibarnes]

Your patience is commendable.