"Network Cable Unplugged" error (FR114P)

The NIC might, but the OS settings will override it. The NIC will take on those settings once the OS boots.

You might watch it during the bootup sequence; the NIC will be powered up early in the boot, and full settings get applied later. Often a NIC will light up, early, go dark, then light again later when it's fully activated.

-Russ.

Go to Dell's site, enter your service tag, look for the newest NIC driver. With Dell stuff I always go from their site because they sometimes do funny things with their drivers. that generic equipment driver's won't handle.

-Russ.

I agree, the problem might come from the NIC, but I don't know if it is really physically broken or not because it works with the modem and company network. Perhaps, it is a software/setting problem.

I have tried to look for a newer driver on the web but without luck. My current driver comes from Dell with the laptop. For your information, the NIC on the laptop is "Actiontec 82559 based Mini PCI Ethernet Adapter (10/100)" with driver from Intel (version 4.3.25.0). If anyone knows where I can get a newer driver, please tell me. Thanks in advance.

In my another reply, I asked whether NIC has got a "permanent memory" of its settings. According to John Jones, "settings are retained, even if the PC is powered off". If so, how can I check/change these settings (with any utilities) and how do I know what settings are proper ones in my case?

George

If the laptop is running WinXP, go to Network Connections, and doubleclick the Local Area Connection entry. In the next window, click on Properties. In the next window you'll see your NIC at the top, with a button labeled Configure next to it. Anything you can "do" to the NIC will be there.

John Jones, Detroit

Yes, it works at 10mbps because 10mbps doesn't have near the problems with noise on the line that 100mbps does. Many bad cables and devices can work at 10mbps and then not at 100mbps.

So, you have a defective NIC.

If you want to try another test, set the NIC to 10mbps/hdx and connect it to the router - not 100, but 10mbps and see if it works well.

Either way, you're NIC is bad.

Yes, your NIC is working perfectly.

So you've eliminated the router, the cable, the nic, the driver.

There's nothing left.

So, you don't have a problem.

-Russ.

I have set the NIC to 10mbps/hdx and connected it to the router, and this doesn't work.

To check whether the NIC is ok, I connected the laptop directly to my Desktop and transferred some data. I can see it works well at 100Mbps. Does this test sufficiently prove my NIC on the laptop is working?

I agree to you at this point. Thanks.

Thanks for your tips. I have tried a newer driver, which still couldn't make things better in my case.

It proves one of two devices can't properly auto-negotiate with each other. Either get a new NIC or get a new router. Since your NIC will properly negotiate a connection at work and with other devices, it would be best to replace the router - get one from a different vendor.

No, the NIC works with the office and another device and the MODEM.

The NIC does not work with the router, but the router works with everything else.

The fault is between the NIC and the Router - so, either the NIC or the Router could be replaced with a different brand and the problem would be

Replacing the router is the cheaper solution (as Laptop NIC's are expensive).

Leythos, just so you know, my answer was sarcastic since he keeps telling us that nothing is broken.

-Russ.

Hello, All,

Thank you for all your advices so far. I feel it's the time to stop the discussion now. Although, the problem remains, at least, we agreed that it comes from the Laptop's NIC, Actiontec 82559 based Mini PCI Ethernet Adapter (10/100) and the router, NetGear FR114P. It seems that the two devices can't properly auto-negotiate with each other. This would be valuable information for those who are going to choose a router in future.

Best Regards, George

No problem man. We can go back to helping people out now. :-)

-Russ.

FYI, I found another similar case reported. Have a look at following thread:

Thanks, I missed that as it's been a long weekend.