> eth0: transmit timed out, tx_status 88 status e000.
> eth0: Transmitter encountered 16 collisions -- network cable problem?
...
> eth0: 3Com 3c900 Boomerang 10Mbps/Combo at 0x6400, 00:60:97:d1:d4:51, IRQ 10
> eth0: Overriding PCI latency timer (CFLT) setting of 32, new value is 248.
>
> (using the 3c59x.c from 2.0.31).
This has nothing to do with 2.0.31 but with the Boomerang/Vortex driver.
I don't know why but the Linux kernel (even 2.1.62) is still distributed
with an old, very-beta, version of the driver. Get the last one (version
0.46something). (The URL is in the Ethernet-HOWTO, HOWTO are a really
great source of infornmation.)