You're another causality.  I've read somewhere LAN9118 is cheaper
than SMsC 91C111 indeed.

> I will refer to some Linux source and fix it.

I did the same and concluded that the HW does not behave as described
in SMsC manuals, ANs and even Linux source code.

I also recommend you to re-check whether your ARM9 chip select timing
parameters (tuneable, right?) match to what 91C111 requires.

Toru Nishimura/ALKYL Technology