WinXP-Cable Modem & "Network Cable Unpluged" error

In article <07cd01c36012$f5ea0ba0$a401280a@phx.gbl>, "Terrance
Connors" <tlconnors@comcast.net> wrote:

>Recently upgraded to new Dell Dimension 8300. System would
>not recognize LAN (Cable modem)connection to on board 10bT
>connector and NIC chip on mother board. Service worked
>fine with previous computer. Through many hours of
>trouble shooting with Dell have done all recommended
>procedures (R&R drivers, TCP/IP protocols, etc)to no avail.
>
>I personnally decided to disable onboard NIC adapter and
>install a sepearate NIC card in the system rack. System
>recognized the new card but I still got identical errors
>to those previously experienced with the onboard device.
>
>I finally installed a CATC Netmate adapter which talks
>though the USB ports. Using this "channel" I was able to
>get good connectivity and internet service.
>
>In talking to Dell about a permanent fix, they say I need
>to reinstall the entire OS. According to them this would
>take 2-4 hours (not to mention reinstalling all of the
>applications I have already installed. I am not so sure I
>want to do this without further trouble shooting. I also
>feel a full OS reinstall might be risky since I might
>really "bugger up" the reinstall.
>
>Anyone else had these problems and have a solution?

I think that your reluctance to re-install the operating system is
well justified. There should be no need to do that to get a NIC to
recognize a cable modem connection. Tech support people sometimes
recommend a re-installation when they don't know what the problem
really is. It gets you off the phone with them, and it might solve
the problem in some cases.

The "unplugged" message really means that XP can't detect a live link
to another device on the other end of the cable. I've listed many
possible reasons (some of which don't apply to your situation), and I
think that #2, #5, and #9 are the most likely ones:

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: regular vs. crossover.

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/...etworkcard.htm

10. The operating system is turning off the network card to save
power. Disable the power saving option in the network card's
properties.

11. You're using a phone line network adapter and there isn't a second
computer, with a similar adapter, running and connected to the same
phone line.

12. You've disabled the radio on a wireless network adapter.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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