Topic: Intel NIC attempts boot at startup

[John Lewis]

I've got an Intel NIC that seems to supercede the server's boot process by searching for a netboot DHCP service before the server can boot itself.  Only way around it is to boot from a boot diskette.  SME v5.

How can I disable the autoboot feature's of an Intel NIC from Linux?

I saw nothing on in my BIOS options (on a Dell Optiplex GX100)

Thanks.

[Des Dougan]

John,

Intel supplies a configuration utility called Softset with its NICs. I'm not familiar with the problem you're seeing, but boot a DOS floppy and run the utility (you should be able to download the version for your NIC if you don't have it to hand). You should then be able to disable the appropriate option.


Des Dougan

[John Lewis]

Thanks Des,

I'll try to do that.

I found that if I let it fail looking for a dhcp address three times, it releases, and lets the server boot from the HD.

Thanks.

[guestFF]

Try to look at your BIOS. Maybe your 'boot order' says to try the NIC first and then other boot devices....

Maybe it helps,

HFW

[NickR]

I think you've got a 100+ Management adapter (558 series chipset) - you have a 2 second window of opportunity to hit ctrl-S to go into the NIC's BIOS & reconfigure it to continue the boot sequence if it doesn't locate a BOOTP server.

HTH