3com combo card install in laptop

Some 3com NICs [both PCMCIA and PCI] exhibit odd behavior such as having a dialog box popup before networking starts which says the network card is not installed properly and when you click OK the card works fine. Card which exhibit this problem canbe configured to work by choosing a COMPATIBLE driver from the list of drivers to install. i don't know why this works but It has bailed me out when installing PCMCIA nICS for executives and also on desktop PCs. For example of you get this error with a 3com 905C or a 905B on a desktop PC choose the integrated 3com 3C920 controller instead. Or with the PCMCIA 589's try installing the driver for a specific one like the 589D. I had this happen with a 575 [a PCMCIA 10/100 ethernet card] and I installed the drivers for a mini 10/100 3com built-in adapter from the restore CD from a NEW HP Omnibook 6000 laptop.

The fact that this is a combo card may present a problem since it has a multi-parent root

First off, take the card out of the laptop. Remove the card from the device manager if it is there.
Also, remove any software associatied with the card.
You might get by with hacking the registry and deleting the key with the search of 3com or the model 3ccfem556b.

Use the following url for the drivers:
http://www.mhz.com/support/all.cfm?Model=3CCFEM556B. Use the bx files.
(no space between the question mark and the M)
With the card out of the machine, run the setup program.

I have a similar combo card and will email you the installation disks. Not exactly the same model number on my card, but may contain the right stuff for your's to start working.

Very possible the combo card is no good. The system would not be able to set the card up and give you the messege you are being given if the card is no good.