In some cases AFMDealer under Windows XP with certain network interface cards (for instance, Realtek RTL8169/8110) causes the network card to stop functioning (hang). The problem is caused by a bug in the network card. On startup AFMDealer sends a large number of small network data packets and it causes the faulty network driver to malfunction.

The problem is ultimately caused by an error in Microsoft software which we cannot fix, but there is a workaround. Follow these steps:

• Open "Network Settings" in the Control pannel or clicking "My Network Places" with the right mouse button and and choose "Properties". The "My Network PLaces" is either located on the desktop, or can be found in the "Start" menu. You will see something like:
  
  
  
• Click the right mouse button on the network interface card, choose "Properties". It will look like:
  
  
  
• Click "Configure" next to the name of the card:
  
  
  
• Go to the "Advanced" tab, set the "Number of High Priority Tx Descriptor" (sic), "Number of Rx Descriptor" and "Number of Tx Descriptor" на 512 (maximum) and click OK, then again OK in the next window. You may have to restart your computer before changes take effect.