Phantom Cable

[ComBondRN]

I have a DFI LanParty UT NF4-D that I've recently set up running off of the latest drivers. Whenever I plug an ethernet cable into it, I receive a connection to the internet, but Windows regularly reports via the taskbar (on intervals ranging from every 10 seconds to every few minutes, seemingly randomly) that "A network cable is unplugged" and shows that my connection has been lost. Everytime this happens, within a second it then reports that my connection is active again.

My connection remains active while it reports that the "cable is unplugged" - I do not get booted from games, or AIM, etc. But, I suffer serious lag. And that bloody Windows alert bubble popping up every minute or so is rather obnoxious...

The ethernet cable/router is not the issue - it's been tested on two other machines and works flawlessly. I've reinstalled the drivers, used different versions of the drivers, uninstalled/installed the devices, used/not used the 'support' applications that come with the drivers, and tinkered a bit (not much) with BIOS settings and network settings.

I'm at a loss! Any clues would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[GeekDrew]

Did you test both the router and the cable you are using - plugged into the same port on the router - with another machine?

If so, and it passed the test, I suspect that your NIC is faulty.

 

[inspiron8200guy]

Try resinstalling the drivers. Chances are that it is a gigabit LAN controller and Windows needs a driver for it. If the NIC is faulty and you live in the bay area and find that you need to go to Hayward, Email DFI tech support and they will tell you to come in around 4PM or something like that. I had to take my motherboard there for a BIOS upgrade because it did not support my processor with the out fo the box BIOS. They also noticed that I chipped my IDE connector a littte and they replaced the board for free. They did not even ask to see the original receipt.

 

[ComBondRN]

Thanks for the advice so far, but I've tried the same port in the router and the same cable on two different machines and it works well for both. Also, I've reinstalled drivers many times - using different drivers, different versions, etc. - something else is going on!

 

[GeekDrew]

Have you tried the NIC in another machine?

 

[ComBondRN]

I would stick it in another machine if I could, but that's not an option at the moment!

 

[skriefal]

Some ethernet controllers just don't work well with certain switchers or routers. I've seen the same issue you described (flip-flopping on/off connection) with a gigabit controller and a Compaq-branded 10/100 switch; swapped out the switch with an Addtron 10/100 and it was happy. I suspect that the card and switch were trying to negotiate duplexing or crossover options, but the algorithms used were incompatible. I've heard that the same can occur even with a 100mbit card and 100mbit switch, but haven't witnessed it myself.

If this is the sort of incompatibility that you're encountering, then testing the switch/router on a second machine will yield conclusive results only if both machines use the same network controller/card.

 

[Woodie]

You could also try forcing the NIC to 100 Full Duplex, instead of auto.

 

[spidey07]

Is this a homemade cable?

Because if it is you can never really be sure that it is good.

 

[ComBondRN]

Bump! (Still can't get it fixed!)

 

[ComBondRN]

Bump

 

[ComBondRN]

Bump

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help, http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#unplugged

:sun:

 

[ComBondRN]

Bump it! Bump it good!

 

[Syndicate]

Note: The "NIC" he is using is part of the motherboard. Onboard controller here folks... I suspect that there is some type of hardware problem. Has anyone successfully used the same motherboard same situation without problem?

 

[Thor86]

There are two GigE nics on that board. One is the nForce nic, and the other is a Marvel nic. Which one are you using?