"network cable disconnected"

[Edward Lee]

My girlfriend's computer lost it's internet connection the other day. We're running Windows XP
The network icon says "network cable disconnected" but it is connected.

We've tried to use new cables, plug it directly into the modem (it was running off a router) the modem works fine with other computers. Also, the router is no picking up any signal from the computer.

I've checked the drivers and the hardware setup, everything looks good. I have service patch 2 running, no other firewall and no antivirus programs. For the life of me I can't figure out why it's like this.

I did a system restore to the last time the internet worked. Now I'm running out of options...

Has anyone experienced this before? If so how did you solve it? Thanks for the help.

Peace.

 

[Reiniku]

it could be damage to the actual ethernet port. try hooking it up to a pci network card, i usually have a few lying around from older rigs. if the cable was accidentally pulled or anything, the port could have been damaged

 

[aznbomber]

Something that you could try is resetting the router to it's factory settings. Then connect the computer to the router to see if it gets a signal

Also, check your computer for any conflicts that your network card might have within the system.

Finally, have you tried the repair function when you right click on "Local Area Connection." Try it, and see what it says.

 

[nitromullet]

He already tried that (connecting straight to the modem)... Could be the NIC itself not making proper contact with the RJ-45 plug. Look inside the jack, do the contacts all appear to be uniform or are any of them bent out of place? Do you have another NIC you can try?

 

[aznbomber]

I meant the router, not the modem nitromullet. I am assuming his router has a built in switch. The reason I am suggesting the router is because of simplicity. You can not accurately determine if it has a signal with the modem. Most routers/switches will also have a status log if the computer is connected.

 

[V00D00]

I agree with the second and third posts. It's probably something with the NIC itself.

 

[Edward Lee]

the NIC is on the motherboard. It seems fine when I checked. But I don't want to overlook anything. Any way to tell if it is indeed the NIC that's the cause?

Thanks for the reply guys. Anandtech is the best! :thumbsup:

 

[Edward Lee]

bump, Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[natethegreat]

I was reading your post and have a similar problem, ever since I installed SP2 for win XP I sometimes get a breif symbol showing that my network has been disconnected and then it goes away. It usually happens when I try loading a new page so I have to refresh constantly. Like you I use a router and all hardware and drivers have been check and look like they are fine. The funny thing is it does not do this if I put in my wireless card and use that:frown:

 

[V00D00]

Yesterday, the exact same thing happened to me. My network worked fine, then I unplugged the network cable and changed a few things around in my computer, and when I plugged it back in windows kept saying tha there was a network cable unplugged... and it was clearly plugged into the back.

So I found out that it was the RJ-45 connector on the cable. One of the little bits of plastic between the metal contacts somehow got a little bent over, and that was causing one of the pins to not make contact, saying it was disconnected.

Look at the connector on the network cable very carefully, and see if there is anything.

My original plan was to just cut off the connector and slap a new one on, but I couldn't find my crimpers, so I ended up poking at the little bit of plastic with a safety pin until I moved it enough for it to make contact.

 

[membreya]

Had this problem for ages, ended up being that my (ex-pc) was a 10/100/1000 intel ethernet card, it was connected to a 100mbit router but it wasnt set to auto-sense the port speed.

you might want to check this.

 

[V00D00]

I've had that happen too, but only because i was fvcking around with the settings. It's usually default already.

 

[rforum]

This has come up on the MSI forum. Try going into device manager and access your boards network adapter. Under properties, Power Management, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Also on the Advanced tab, Optimize for Throughput. Set Speed/duplex settings to Full autonegotiation. Your board may be different than mine and may not have these settings. I used to have similar problems but have not seen them since making these changes. Hope this helps you.