Intermittent "cable is unplugged" error

edpaulson · 05-12-2009, 07:59 PM

Error message "Local area connection -- a network cable is unplugged" pops up intermittently -- every 5-20 seconds and lasts 3-5 seconds. It reduces my Verizon DSL efficiency by about 50%. And the problem seems to be getting worse!

I'm running a Dell Dimension 3000 desktop, vintage 2005, winXP SP3.
The NIC card is the original Intel PRO 100 VE network connector.
The device manager says "device is working correctly."
The hardware update wizard says I've got the latest drivers.
The ethernet cable is fine -- no problem connecting to my laptop.

So -- I strongly suspect an NIC card problem (?). If so, can anyone recommend a USB ethernet adaptor?
Regards ... Ed

johnwill · 05-13-2009, 01:49 PM

I'd consider a PCMCIA Ethernet NIC rather than the USB one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127111

johnwill · 05-13-2009, 01:49 PM

I'd consider a PCMCIA Ethernet NIC rather than the USB one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127111

edpaulson · 05-13-2009, 05:50 PM

Thanks for quick reply.

So I guess you agree with my assumption that it's a card problem. Can you expand on your preference for NIC over USB?

The reasons I tend toward USB solution:
1. It's been 10 yrs or so since I opened up a machine to change a card.
2. USB appears to be simple, quick, and relatively cheap.
3. I'm going to buy a new machine as soon as Win 7 is available, avoiding Vista, so I don't mind a short-term solution to this problem.

johnwill · 05-14-2009, 09:21 AM

If it's a short term solution, USB would probably be fine. I've had far more issues with USB networking than any internal solution, so I stay away from it whenever possible.

05-12-2009, 07:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
edpaulson Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 OS: winxp sp3	Intermittent "cable is unplugged" error Error message "Local area connection -- a network cable is unplugged" pops up intermittently -- every 5-20 seconds and lasts 3-5 seconds. It reduces my Verizon DSL efficiency by about 50%. And the problem seems to be getting worse! I'm running a Dell Dimension 3000 desktop, vintage 2005, winXP SP3. The NIC card is the original Intel PRO 100 VE network connector. The device manager says "device is working correctly." The hardware update wizard says I've got the latest drivers. The ethernet cable is fine -- no problem connecting to my laptop. So -- I strongly suspect an NIC card problem (?). If so, can anyone recommend a USB ethernet adaptor? Regards ... Ed

05-13-2009, 01:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,131 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent "cable is unplugged" error I'd consider a PCMCIA Ethernet NIC rather than the USB one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127111 __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

05-13-2009, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,131 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent "cable is unplugged" error I'd consider a PCMCIA Ethernet NIC rather than the USB one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127111 __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

05-13-2009, 05:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
edpaulson Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 OS: winxp sp3	Re: Intermittent "cable is unplugged" error Thanks for quick reply. So I guess you agree with my assumption that it's a card problem. Can you expand on your preference for NIC over USB? The reasons I tend toward USB solution: 1. It's been 10 yrs or so since I opened up a machine to change a card. 2. USB appears to be simple, quick, and relatively cheap. 3. I'm going to buy a new machine as soon as Win 7 is available, avoiding Vista, so I don't mind a short-term solution to this problem.

05-14-2009, 09:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,131 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent "cable is unplugged" error If it's a short term solution, USB would probably be fine. I've had far more issues with USB networking than any internal solution, so I stay away from it whenever possible. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience