Two things to try. 

 

Go to Device Manger, expand the listing for Network Adapters, right click the Broadcom Gigabit device and select Porperties.  On the Power Management tab, put a check mark next to "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

 

If that doesn't fix it, Open the Dell Quickset Utility and see if there is an optoin for Internal Network Card Power Management.  If there is, select it and remove the selection for "Always deactivate on battery when network cable is unplugged".

 

Steve

Thanks for your reply, Volcano.  Unfortunately neither solution worked -- I still get a "connection failed" message when I try to enable the Ethernet card.

 

Anybody have other ideas?  Remember, the card will enable when the laptop is docked.......

 

Thanks!!