"Network cable unplugged" - but no network

[GwydionM]

I keep getting a warning about an unplugged network cable, but my machine has never been on a network and I don't plan to set one up, either.

I've adjusted the start defaults for local area networks to 'always hide' but it keeps setting it back and then telling me that it is unplugged.

I have an XP Home system that came with pre-installed Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Personal Firewall. Are these set to protect the non-existent network? And if so, is there a safe way to tell them not to bother?

------------------------------
An old man who lives in the UK

 

[bcastner]

They are looking for updates. They want internet access.
If you are on dial-up you may have it set to never dial.

But as a direct answer to your question, disable the Media sense on the ethernet adapter on your computer, or disable using device manager the ethernet port. In Device Manager, expand network adapters, right-click on any ethernet network adapers and choose disable.

To use the Media sensing approach:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/Q239/9/24.ASP&NoWebContent=1

 

[bcastner]

I should not that it is possible the error can come from any 1394 network adapters installed. Or a wireless connection. It is not necessarily an ethernet only adapter issue. Follow the advice above for using Device Manager to disable the unused adapter(s).

If you see a "Bridge" defined under Network Connections, disable and then remove the "Bridge."

 

[waynejr]

you may have a network adapter with no actual cable plugged in. if you don't plan on connecting to a network, just disable the network adapter.

right click my computer > manage > device manager > network adapters - then right click the adapter > disable.

hope this helps.

 

[stduc]

Check the BIOS settings to see if you have a network adapter build into the mobo. If so, disable it.

 

[GwydionM]

Thanks. If there isn't a fix without diving deep into the system, I think I'll live wiht it.

------------------------------
An old man who lives in the UK