Connecting laptop to router by ethernet

[Muse]

I've been using my 3 Lenovo laptops (Two T60's and a T61) wirelessly but want to have one of the T60's connected by ethernet to my Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 wireless router, which has one ethernet port unused. I had the laptop asleep, connected an ethernet cable between it and the router but when I awaken the laptop it still says a network cable is unplugged. The light at the router doesn't light next to where the cable connects to the router. I tried a different ethernet cable (the first is 8 feet, the second 35 feet, I believe I did the connections on both cables myself with a crimper and connectors and had no reason to think they weren't working, although it's been a long time). Still no light, the laptop reports the cable is unplugged. In Device Manager it says the Intel ethernet module is working properly. Am I doing something wrong? I wouldn't have to shut down the router and restart it for this would I?

 

[Muse]

I think there was a problem with one of my ethernet cables and besides, evidently it was necessary to reboot the laptop.