PC connected once and now it says "Network Cable Disconnected"

[DefRef]

While trying to fix up an old PC - Abit BH6/P3-700/384MB RAM/WinXP SP2 - to give to my g/f's brother, I had to put in a network card and used an old SMC EtherPower II card I had lying around. Plugging it in, it installed the driver after I manually told it to look for NIC adapter drivers.

I connected the PC to her 2WIRE SBC router and it went online fine. I DLed patches, Firefox, minor stuff and then had to reboot. After the reboot, it no longer connects to the network and in Network Connections it says that the cable is unplugged. The portal configuration page has the computer's name, but shows it as Inactive.

The NIC has LEDs on it and I've tried every port on the router and different cables with no change. I switched the NIC to another open slot, too. I DLed drivers from the SMC site and the EZ Diag says that there's an error accessing network services and when I tried to update the driver, it said it was up-to-date.

Loopback pinging 127.0.0.1 succeeded and Device Manager shows it as functioning properly. I'm stumped as to how it worked properly and has now choked. Something similar happened with my laptop when she got DSL - the first night the wi-fi worked fine, the next time, it could barely catch a signal, but I haven't tried again to see if there's a problem with the portal.

Anyone got some other suggestions? TIA.

 

[DefRef]

Bumping. I brought my laptop in and am getting the same results - Intel PROset sees the router, but it doesn't automatically connect to the profile. When it does connect, it goes thru the same cycle of varying signal strength and disconnects. I've tried rebooting the router with no success. Laptop is 2-3 feet away from router in line-of-sight. We'll be calling SBC.

 

[Fardringle]

If you're getting the same results with two different computers, I'd have to suspect a problem with the router itself. If it is defective or failing and SBC gave it to your girlfriend with the DSL service, they should replace it for you.

 

[RebateMonger]

The "Network Cable Disconnected" is typically pretty straightforward. It's either the NIC, the cable, or the router. If it happens with two different PCs, then it's not the NIC and if it happens with two different cables, then it's the router.

 

[blazerazor]

If its a cable modem, you may have to re sync it. I seem to have to do that about twice a year to my home account. Call the company and make sure they can see you.