64% Packet Loss - What's causing it? (log file inside)

[el bob]

PING 192.168.0.3 (192.168.0.3): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=1 ttl=128 time=0.5 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=3 ttl=128 time=0.2 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=4 ttl=128 time=0.3 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=7 ttl=128 time=0.3 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=13 ttl=128 time=0.5 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=14 ttl=128 time=0.5 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=15 ttl=128 time=0.2 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=17 ttl=128 time=0.4 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=18 ttl=128 time=0.5 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=19 ttl=128 time=0.2 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=20 ttl=128 time=0.2 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=25 ttl=128 time=0.5 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=27 ttl=128 time=0.2 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=28 ttl=128 time=0.3 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=29 ttl=128 time=0.4 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=30 ttl=128 time=0.1 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=46 ttl=128 time=0.4 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.3: icmp_seq=49 ttl=128 time=0.5 ms

--- 192.168.0.3 ping statistics ---
50 packets transmitted, 18 packets received, 64% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max = 0.1/0.3/0.5 ms

I am getting this after doing a fresh install of Debian 3.0r2 on a computer with the following hardware:

Pentium 3 500MHz
2x 256MB PC133 RAM
Asus P2B
ATI RADEON 6500 VIVO
Creative SoundBlaster Live!
3Com 3C905-TX

I've never had problems like this before.

Could this be a bad cable?

I think it's not the switch/port because I've tested that already.

Could the NIC be dying?

What's going on?

TIA, el bob

[el bob]

TESTING RESULTS:

I swapped cards with another known-working 3C905-TX and had the same problem.

I changed PCI slots and had the same problem.

I changed NIC to a Realtek 8139B based NIC and now have 0% packet loss.

How much less reliable is the Realtek 8139B card than the 3C905?

[qball15j]

My SmoothWall uses a Realtek card, I hammer my connection almost 24/7 and it works fine.

[Addict]

Originally posted by el bob
TESTING RESULTS:

I swapped cards with another known-working 3C905-TX and had the same problem.

I changed PCI slots and had the same problem.

I changed NIC to a Realtek 8139B based NIC and now have 0% packet loss.

How much less reliable is the Realtek 8139B card than the 3C905?

That's very odd. My guess is that its not the card, but the way Debian handles it. Realtek is fairly generic.

Odd issue none the less. 3Com makes great NICs.