[vortex] 3c905B and hub-less link

[Ariel O. Garcia]

Hello,
      I have been searching this mailing list for a some similar problem
to mine but... I think I have a not very standard setup (networking-wise):

a Linux 2.2 server with an ne2000 (eth0) card and a 3c905B (eth1) card
The 3c905 is linked to an HP4050 printer which has an HP JetDirect 
card (10/100 compatible), using a __direct__ connection (NO HUB), that is
a 10/100 Base-T __crossover__ cable.

This works ok (I can get a 100 Mb/s link and the printer works) except for
the following problem:

Using a kernel 2.2.14 I had to have the printer ON before activating
the 3c905 (ifup eth1) to get the link working. Once the card was properly
activated I could power off and then power on the printer and everything
continued working.

Now the problem has worsened: using 2.2.17pre6 (debian), if I turn
off; turn on the printer, then I need to ifdown; ifup the 3c905 card to
restablish the link. Even worse, sometimes (say, 50%) the card doesn't
setup properly even when the printer is ON: 

(this is with config=0, but the same happens with 4)
----------------------------------------------------------
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel: 3c59x.c:v0.99H 12Jun00 Donald Becker and
others http://www.scyld.com/network/vortex.html
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: 3Com 3c905B Cyclone 100baseTx at
0x1000,  00:10:4b:32:40:a6, IRQ 12
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel:   Internal config register is 1800000,
transceivers 0xa.
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel:   8K byte-wide RAM 5:3 Rx:Tx split,
autoselect/Autonegotiate interface.
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel:   Media override to transceiver type 0 (10baseT).
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel:   Enabling bus-master transmits and
whole-frame receives.
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: Media override to transceiver 0 (10baseT).
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: Initial media type 10baseT.
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: vortex_open() InternalConfig 01000000.
Jul 24 12:43:53 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: vortex_open() irq 12 media status 8080.
Jul 24 12:43:55 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: Media selection timer tick happened, 10baseT.
Jul 24 12:43:55 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: Media 10baseT is has no link beat, 80c0.
Jul 24 12:43:55 cabtep4 kernel: eth1: Media selection failing, using
default Autonegotiate port. 
----------------------------------------------------------

I am loading the 3c59x kernel module with options:

options 3c59x debug=2 options=4 full_duplex=1

I can't get options=8 or 9 to work, as the documentation suggests it 
should. Same with 6. I have tested the same setup with options=0,
without full duplex, etc but the same happens.

I would like to be able to ifup the card without needing to have the
printer on... is that possible with my direct (crossover cable connection)
setup?

Thanks a lot for any help! Rgds, Ariel

PS: please if you answer cc: to me as I am not subscribed to this list.