Computer won't establish connection with router (possible bad cable?)

thehotcorner · 07-09-2009, 08:26 AM

Small home network 1 wirelessly connected laptop and 2 desktop PCs (one running XP and one running Windows 7 RC1) with wired connection.

My internet suddenly went out yesterday on both desktop PCs, did not check the wirelessly connected laptop. After restarting the router internet was restored to one of the desktop PCs while the other is not even being recognized as being plugged into the router. The light for the port that the cable is connected to does not turn on and the computer also does not recognize being plugged into the router. I plugged the same cable into the laptop to make sure it wasn't my computer, same problem.

It seems like I have a problem with my cable but I can't imagine the cable just dying suddenly like that, does that happen? Why would the internet go out completely and then all of a sudden come back and one cable be broken?

I checked the length of the cable, it seems fine and everything is plugged in correctly. It's a pretty long cable (2 cables coupled together and together around 50+ feet) and I do not want to have to replace it or buy a wireless card. So I'm looking for any other suggestions as to what the problem might be.

**johnwill** · 07-09-2009, 08:41 AM

I'd suspect the port on the router first, that's far more likely to fail.

thehotcorner · 07-09-2009, 08:46 AM

tried multiple ports. they all work when plugged into the working computer/cable.

07-09-2009, 08:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
thehotcorner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP SP3	Computer won't establish connection with router (possible bad cable?) Small home network 1 wirelessly connected laptop and 2 desktop PCs (one running XP and one running Windows 7 RC1) with wired connection. My internet suddenly went out yesterday on both desktop PCs, did not check the wirelessly connected laptop. After restarting the router internet was restored to one of the desktop PCs while the other is not even being recognized as being plugged into the router. The light for the port that the cable is connected to does not turn on and the computer also does not recognize being plugged into the router. I plugged the same cable into the laptop to make sure it wasn't my computer, same problem. It seems like I have a problem with my cable but I can't imagine the cable just dying suddenly like that, does that happen? Why would the internet go out completely and then all of a sudden come back and one cable be broken? I checked the length of the cable, it seems fine and everything is plugged in correctly. It's a pretty long cable (2 cables coupled together and together around 50+ feet) and I do not want to have to replace it or buy a wireless card. So I'm looking for any other suggestions as to what the problem might be.

07-09-2009, 08:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Computer won't establish connection with router (possible bad cable?) I'd suspect the port on the router first, that's far more likely to fail. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-09-2009, 08:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
thehotcorner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Computer won't establish connection with router (possible bad cable?) tried multiple ports. they all work when plugged into the working computer/cable.