CentOS - Sep 2008 - Problem with running Centos 5.2 on Dell Optiplex 330

Hi,

I am havind deep trouble with a bunch of our newly arrived Optiplex
330 as it can't run Centos 5.2 property.

The installation works fine, but when it boots up, it can't be
connected to the network.  I am getting error saying " link is not
ready" when doing system-config-network.  I check lspci and it can
detect the network controller no problem.  The light next to the cable
is also on as well.

Does anyone know how I can fix this problem?

We should have bought just one and see if it works before buying more,
and now we are stuck.

Could someone please kindly give any suggestion?  Any help will be
greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Pete

--- On Sun, 7/9/08, Pete Kay <petedao at gmail.com> wrote:
> From: Pete Kay <petedao at gmail.com>
> Subject: [CentOS] Problem with running Centos 5.2 on Dell Optiplex 330
> To: centos at centos.org
> Date: Sunday, 7 September, 2008, 12:48 PM
> Hi,
> 
> I am havind deep trouble with a bunch of our newly arrived
> Optiplex
> 330 as it can't run Centos 5.2 property.
> 
> The installation works fine, but when it boots up, it
> can't be
> connected to the network.  I am getting error saying "
> link is not
> ready" when doing system-config-network.  I check
> lspci and it can
> detect the network controller no problem.  The light next
> to the cable
> is also on as well.
> 
> Does anyone know how I can fix this problem?
> 
> We should have bought just one and see if it works before
> buying more,
> and now we are stuck.
> 
> Could someone please kindly give any suggestion?  Any help
> will be
> greatly appreciated.
> 
> Best Regards,
> Pete
> _______________________________________________
> CentOS mailing list
> CentOS at centos.org
> http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos

The problem is not with Dell Optiplex as Dell themselves ship systems with
Linux, I would reckon it is your admin skills in question here. I have
successfully ran Fedora/Red Hat/CentOS on Dell boxes and the network card was
automagically recognised. You do have to configure the network though.

Look at the CentOS admin docs or look at an old online tutorial
http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxTutorialNetworking.html#GUI

Thanks,
Josh

Pete Kay wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am havind deep trouble with a bunch of our newly arrived Optiplex
> 330 as it can't run Centos 5.2 property.
>
> The installation works fine, but when it boots up, it can't be
> connected to the network.  I am getting error saying " link is not
> ready" when doing system-config-network.  I check lspci and it can
> detect the network controller no problem.  The light next to the cable
> is also on as well.
>
> Does anyone know how I can fix this problem?
It's quite possible the network driver isn't compatible with
the system. Looking at the support site for Dell that system
isn't supported with Linux, and it looks like it has a pretty
new broadcom chip on it.

I'd bet that updating the driver will allow the NIC to work,
the latest drivers for that system are available here:

http://www.broadcom.com/support/ethernet_nic/netlink.php

Broadcom has a history of updating their network chips in
ways that are not compatible with existing drivers, forcing
you to install new ones, for this reason I've preferred Intel
network chips for some time now.

nate