HELP! A Network Cable is Unplugged

Question

My Dell computer was working all fine until I came home friday night. a small icon says 'local area connection, a network calbe is unplugged', and I couldn't get online. But apprantely, the cable is plugged in. I unplugged the calbe and plugged it back, but it still didn't work. I checked my cable/calbe modem/router and they are fine because I can use them to connect my laptop to get online. The network card is Intel(R) PRO/110 VE Network Conne, I think it is integrated into the mother board. It can pass all the tests except 'link' test. So what might be the problem? why did it sundenly stop working? is it because the thunderstorm during the day? Someone please help me out. Very much appreciated! Thank you!

MRF4700 · Answer

Model of computer and operating system would help? Does the Intel network adapter show up in the Device Manager? Any yellow marks next to adapter?

Mary G · Answer

After a power interruption, you sometimes have to reboot everything by unplugging both the modem and router and turning off the computer. Then plug back in this order: First the cable modem, wait a couple of minutes for it to reestablish the connection. Second, plug in the router and wait 2 min. Then turn on the computer. Message Edited by Mary G on 07-23-200604:20 PM

ultramarine · Answer

it's Dimension 4700. windows xp network adapter is in the device list, and there is no yellow mark beside it. thanks!

ultramarine · Answer

thanks! tried your approach, but did not work.

MRF4700 · Answer

Is your warranty still good?     Message Edited by MRF4700 on 07-23-200605:22 PM

ultramarine · Answer

No. it has expired a few months ago. any suggestions? find a local computer repair shop?

MRF4700 · Answer

@ultramarine wrote:
My Dell computer was working all fine until I came home friday night. a small icon says "local area connection, a network calbe is unplugged", and I couldn't get online. But apprantely, the cable is plugged in. I unplugged the calbe and plugged it back, but it still didn't work. I checked my cable/calbe modem/router and they are fine because I can use them to connect my laptop to get online. The network card is Intel(R) PRO/110 VE Network Conne, I think it is integrated into the mother board. It can pass all the tests except 'link' test. So what might be the problem? why did it sundenly stop working? is it because the thunderstorm during the day? Someone please help me out. Very much appreciated! Thank you!

Please, elaborate on this a little more? When you say you checked the cable/cable modem/router and they're fine, does that mean you took the cable connected at the back of the Dimension and plugged it into your router and the connection worked? or what other variations?

ultramarine · Answer

I took the same cable, router and cable modem which were used for my Dimmension to connect with my laptop, and my laptop can get online, so I think the problem is on my Dimmension.

Thanks.

The area I live did have power interruption / hot temparature. I think this might be the reason. But I don't know what to do to get my dimmension back online.

MRF4700 · Answer

I'd try updating the driver, first? Then, it sounds maybe like a bad ethernet port(i.e. mobo) which would be to expensive to replace; out of warranty. Do you have an open PCI slot on your 4700?

Here is the driver link:

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=407&lang=eng

Good luck!

Vysthys · Answer

I have the same problem with a Dimension 4700 with WinXP Home. The ethernet port's link lights do not come on. Known good cable and connection. Uninstalled and reinstalled drivers. I have purchased and installed a Linksys LNE100M Fast Ethernet PCI card. Unfortunately the new card also gives me "cable unplugged" and none of the link lights come on.

Could a short in the onboard NIC prevent a PCI NIC from working?

TIA

Scott

ultramarine · Answer

I installed a new pci network card, and it is working now. so now I have two network connection icons on my network places, one still shows 'local network unplugged", and the new one shows connected.
have you tried to disable the old one?

Vysthys · Answer

With both adapters enabled, two Network Connections show with 'Cable Unplugged' With onboard NIC disabled through Windows, one Network Connection shows with 'Cable Unplugged' With onboard NIC disabled through the BIOS, one Network Connection shows with 'Cable Unplugged'   I have tried setting the connection speeds manually.    It just can't see the cable for some reason.  I am using the same cable and connection now without any problems on a Dimm4600 WinXP machine.  I am at a loss on why a new NIC PCI card would fail to connect.  Other times I have installed a PCI NIC to remedy a burnt onboard NIC, it has worked without a problem.   Thanks! Scott

MRF4700 · Answer

Do both network adapters show in the Device Manager, as properly installed?( No yellow question or exclamation marks)

Also, check the TCP/IP properties for the connections and make sure they are set to obtain an IP address and DNS server addresses automatically?

Message Edited by MRF4700 on 08-25-200609:02 AM

Vysthys · Answer

The Device Manager shows both NICs working properly, together or alone. TCP/IP settings are set to obtain address and DNS automatically; and I have tried to force a conforming IP when it fails to obtain one from the router (it takes but still does not see the cable connected).

Intel's diagnostic program found no problems with the onboard NIC. Linksys' diagnostic program found no problems with the PCI NIC. Dell's Partition Utility passed all tests, except Link Test where it tries to loop out through the port.

Thanks!

MRF4700 · Answer

Are you using a router in your network? If you are, check the SSID, MAC address filtering, and DHCP settings to make sure they are configured properly?

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

HELP! A Network Cable is Unplugged

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