In message <20051013180418.GC722@antioche.eu.org>, Manuel Bouyer writes:
> 
> And dmesg doesn't show any PCI devices for this adapter (even without the
> right driver, it shoud, show up). The kernel can't do much if the
> adapter doesn't show up in the PCI config space.
> 
> ACPI may help with this.

Indeed, in a private email Thor Lancelot Simon observed that if that
machine has I2O processors they are not bothering to announce themselves
during a PCI bus scan too.  I was waiting until I get some feedback from
the Dell support groups about this matter (why these processors are not
announcing themselves) before replying.  I asked them for more detailed
information about the server.  Perhaps there is something different in
that server that explains why these processors are not announcing
themselves.

You are right, ACPI may help.  We will see if the MPACPI_SCANPCI option
or, better yet, the ACPI_ACTIVATE_DEV option helps.  Another chance will
be ACPI_PCI_FIXUP.  I will provide some feedback as soon as I get
something useful to post here.

Thanks a lot for your advice!

Igor.