"A network cable is unplugged" message repeatedly 3

[seaport]

I am using Windows XP laptop, which is connected to a modem/router by a cable. The "A network cable is unplugged" message appears repeatedly. Herea are all symptoms.

1. The system event log shows warning "Network Connection Link has been disconnected" every 30 seconds on average.

2. I have no problem surfing the web or downloading big files.

3. The laptop can be connected to the router using wireless without any problem or errors.

4. When I connected an old Dell (XP) laptop to the modem/router by cable, he "A network cable is unplugged" message appears like crazy (every second).

5. When I connected the same old Dell laptop at another location/network, that message did not show.

6. I've been using the same modem/router for over five years.

Is this an Windows XP problem or a modem/router hardware problem?

Any suggestions for further diagnosis?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
one thing to check is if you have multiple network adapters configured and enabled and the one that is not in use is triggering the message.





To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[cmeagan656]

We had this problem with 1 PC on our network. It turned out to be a faulty switch port. If you're connecting directly to the modem/router it could be problems with the port on the modem/router.

Hope this helps.

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[BadBigBen]

5. When I connected the same old Dell laptop at another location/network, that message did not show.

and

6. I've been using the same modem/router for over five years.

should answer the question straightaway ...

replace the Router-Modem and you should be fine, but it can not hurt to update all the network drivers on the afflicted PC...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[smah]

First, check the cable itself (swap it with another). Then a different port on the router. Then if the problem still exists test with another router.

 

[linney]

The network icon in the notification area does not update when you reconnect an Ethernet cable in Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP with Service Pack 2

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=899759#appliesto

http://www.google.com/search?q="A+n...&rls=com.microsoft:en-au:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=

 

[vacunita]

I agree with Smah. Unless yo are using different cables, it sounds like there may be an issue with the actual cable, or even the port you are using.

----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[seaport]

Thanks for all replies. I did more tests. I am not that it was not caused by the cable. But it might be related to the port. After I switched to another port, the frequency of that message reduced a lot, although it still appears.

Now I got another strange problem. During my test, the "Computer Management - System Tools - Event Viewer - System" stopped updating. I've using this log to see how frequent the message appears. But now I got nothing for 30 minutes, during which I clearly see the message and even unplugged the cable several times. I used the "Refresh" button but still got nothing.

Anyway, I think it is time for me to get a new modem/router.

 

[eritguy]

Another thing to check...
In the device manager, view the properties of the NIC and go to the power management tab. Ensure that the check box "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" is unchecked.

As far as the log is concerned. Check the properties of the system log and ensure "Enable Logging" is check and the radio button "Overwrite events as needed (oldest events first)" is checked. You can select another one if you want, but one requires you to clear the log manually and will not write anymore when it's full.

 

[ANFPS26]

You might reinstall the driver for your NIC or see if there is an updated one available. I had a similar problem and just reinstalling the driver fixed it.

Jim

 

[linney]

In the System Recovery options (Startup Recovery) is write an event to the system log checked?

If you are worried about the Event logging you could try clearing the log file?

Read the paragraph "How to Manage Log Contents" in this article.
Managing the Event Viewer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

"Logging stops when an event log becomes full and cannot overwrite itself, either because it has been set for manual clearing or because the first event in the log is not old enough. You use Group Policy to set up security logging."

Setting options for logging events

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...oddocs/en-us/sag_evmonevents_13.mspx?mfr=true

 

[seaport]

Linney,

Clearing the system log fixed the problem. Now the log started working again. I did not know what caused the problem. All I did was to sort the log many times when I tried to figure out the connection problem.

eritguy,
I did not see the checkbox "Enable Logging" on the "properties" screen of System Log. The only checkbox there is "using a low-speed connection.

 

[linney]

It is not really relevant now, as you have fixed the logging, but what I was referring to is found at Control Panel/ System/ Advanced/ Startup and Recovery/ Settings/ System Failure.

 

[seaport]

Thanks again, Linney.

It turned out that all my troubles were caused by the defective modem/router. I replaced it and now everything works.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[BadBigBen]

Exactly what I said...

Glad you found the problem and that it has been resolved...

and thank you for posting back with what was the problem...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"