Dimension 4550-Network Cable is Unplugged, but is in there

Question

Hello, I have had Dialup all my life until yesterday when the DSl came in. I put the cable in the ehternet slot and the computer did not sense the modem.  The network cable unplugged comes up for the LAN.  I have had hardware check done online by Dell chat specialists and they said the hardware is fine.  I called Verizon and since my sister's laptop connects they said they have done their part and can't help me fix my computer. I have done so much troubleshooting such as restarting, updating NIC drivers, checking cables, and checking other computers.  My sister's laptop can go online when plugged into the modem.     Someone please help.    Thank you

volcano11 · Answer

Here's a pretty comprehensive list of why one would get the "network cable unplugged" message (taken from the Microsoft.Public.WindowsXP.network_web newsgroup:

1. The network cable really is unplugged.
2. The network cable is defective.
3. It's plugged in, but there's nothing connected to the other end.
4. It's plugged in and connected on both ends, but the device on the other end isn't turned on.
5. The cable is the wrong type. Connecting two computers directly, without a hub, switch, or router, requires a crossover cable. A regular cable won't work.
6. The cable is connected to the uplink port on a hub, switch, or router, instead of a regular port.
7. Some hubs, switches, and routers disable the port next to the uplink port when the uplink port is in use.
8. The network card driver program isn't working right. Download and install the latest XP-compatible driver from the manufacturer's web site.
9. The network card is configured to automatically sense speed and duplex settings but isn't doing it correctly. Set those options manually, as shown here: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/networkcard.htm

Steve

solomondavid · Answer

Thank you for taking time to respond...I've checked all 9 of those problems already from reading the forums before.  It Still will not recognize that the cable is plugged in. Someone please help   Thank You.

volcano11 · Answer

Do the link lights near the network connector on the computer light up when both the computer and the device that it is connected to are powered on? Steve

solomondavid · Answer

The lights (A,B,C,D) in the back of the tower are all solid green even if the ethernet cord (connected to the modem turned on) is plugged in or not.   Thank You Solomon

solomondavid · Answer

There is no link light that turns on next to the connectior when the ethernet cable connects the modem and the computer both turned on.   Thanks once again for for responding   Solomon

volcano11 · Answer

Those are the diagnosticLEDs and have nothing to do with the problem. There should be a light right next to where the ethernet cable plugs into the computer. That is the link light I am asking about.

Steve

solomondavid · Answer

There is no light there.  Where do you reccomend buying a PCI port (Online, Best Buy, CIrcuit City) ? What are the minimum specifications for the port? Thank You Solomon

volcano11 · Answer

Look at the appropriate diagram on Page 50 of the following document:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/D0995bk0.pdf

If neither of the light light up there, then it indicates either a bad cable or a bad network card. If you are absolutely sure that the cable is good, then a cheap troubleshooting step would be to install a PCI 10/100 ethernet network adapter. These can be found for less than $10 after rebate.

Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Any PCI 10/100 ethernet adapter card from any of the stores you mentioned will work. Steve

solomondavid · Answer

Thanks. It fixed the problem.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Dimension 4550-Network Cable is Unplugged, but is in there

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