> [...trouble with network cards...]

> 1. An NE2000 clone (no idea what Manufactor):  Unfortunatly its IRQ
>    is set to 3 and [appears unchangeable].

Did you try building a kernel with the irq changed on the relevant
line?  Probably something like changing 

ne0     at isa? port 0x280 irq 9

to read "irq 3".  (Or use the ne1 line if the card showed up as ne1.)

> 2. Intel EtherExpress Pro/10: [...]
> 3. 3Com Etherlink III (3c509): [...]

I don't have anything to suggest for those, I'm afraid; I'm not that
much of an i386 person.

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