SUMMARY 2:follow up to forcing full duplex on-line

Sorry folks, I didn't give the answer.. just the info doc. so here is the 
text of the info doc.

If the auto negotiate does not work, then the 100-MB full-duplex mode
can be forced to run at 100-MB, Full-Duplex using the following:
When forcing one side of the link, it is important to force both sides.
The speed and mode on the link partner( switch or hub) must be set to match.
or link down, excessive/late collisions and ierrors will result.

Please try (if using /etc/rc2.d/S99...)

         ndd -set /dev/hme instance 0
         ndd -set /dev/hme adv_100T4_cap 0
         ndd -set /dev/hme adv_100fdx_cap 1
         ndd -set /dev/hme adv_100hdx_cap 0
         ndd -set /dev/hme adv_10fdx_cap 0
         ndd -set /dev/hme adv_10hdx_cap 0
         ndd -set /dev/hme adv_autoneg_cap 0

         or (if using /etc/system)

         set hme:hme_adv_autoneg_cap=0
         set hme:hme_adv_100T4_cap=0
         set hme:hme_adv_100fdx_cap=1
         set hme:hme_adv_100hdx_cap=0
         set hme:hme_adv_10fdx_cap=0
         set hme:hme_adv_10hdx_cap=0

Apparently, the order in which the commands are executed can
make a difference. The link is re-negotiated when the interface is
ifconfig'ed up or when ndd ndd adv_autoneg_cap command is executed.

Note: If you add commands to /etc/system file, you must reboot

for addional info refer to the  interface guide and hme platform notes:

802-6022-10 SunFastEthernet Adapter 2.0 Installation and User's Guide
802-3970-10 Platform Notes:The hme Fast Ethernet Device Driver

other infodocs of interest:

16728 How does 100baseT ethernet auto-negotiation work?
       and what are the hme and qfe driver defaults

18262 How do I troublehsoot 100Mb fastethernet 802.3 autonegotiation problems.

16070 How to set hme parameter for more than one hme interface

15606 How to set up an hme.conf file