Network Connection - Comes and Goes

Dyre Straits

I'm having a very annoying problem. This is happening on both machines that have XP installed. My main rig has XP Pro SP2 and all the updates. The other machine has XP Home SP2 and all the updates.

Here's the problem: I keep getting a very brief, "A Network Cable is Unplugged...." message and then very quickly I'll get a "Connection enabled" or such message.

Now, I know HOW to turn off those annoying popup messages. That's not the problem. The problem -- and my question is -- WHY does my network connection do this?

Is there something that causes a 'renew' IP or something very often?

This was going on before I got Internet connection, so, it's not directly related to that.

Is anyone else experiencing this? And, have you found a way to correct it?

craig5320

Assuming you don't have a dodgy cable, check to see there's no interference near the cables, such as a power transformer sitting on them or anything like that.

It seems odd that it would come and go without any input from yourself, apparently fixing itself. So it could be interference.

riles9262

I'd start with swapping the patch cable, and then reinstalling the nic/updating its driver. Do you also have a network setup, or just the dsl/cable modem?

Dyre Straits

We have a network here that includes an uplink HUB as well as a router so that all the computers can connect to the Internet.

The fact that both of my own computers do this is interesting because one of them is connected to the uplink HUB while the main one is connected directly to the router.

Interference may be an issue with all the power cords and cables in one area. I'll try spreading things out a bit.

Thanks

riles9262

Also try bypassing the network if possible; I've seen customers have this problem, and immediately after bypassing the router(s) it stays connected.

Dyre Straits

I'm not sure if this is feasible at our location. We need the router to allow up to 4 computers to connect to the Internet simultaneously. So, a router is a must.

I'm not actually losing Internet connection. And this little warning only last about 2 seconds. First I'll get the 'a cable is unplugged' and then almost immediately there will be the message that the network connection is working.

It's almost like it's doing a PING or something and, for that brief moment, things are disconnected.

WxChaser

Run command prompt on the box that the router resides on (start - run - CMD) and enter
ipconfig /release then ipconfig/ renew. ipconfig /release *Con* will release all matching connections,
eg. "Local Area Connection 1" or "Local Area Connection 2".

After releasing the ip addresses, make sure to type ipconfig/ renew - then simply type ipconfig/ all to see if the adapters have renewed properly (good troubleshooting technique).

You can also go into your router settings via the web based interface and do the same thing. What brand of router are you running?

Dyre Straits

Thanks, WxChaser,

I got a new LinkSys 4-port router this week. It's a NR401 model Cable/DSL 4-port router.

The problem, however, predates getting this and still happens. Although, for the past hour or so, I haven't noticed it.

Dyre Straits

Finally put 2 and 2 together and dug this up from the Event Viewer right after another episode:



Question now is: How can I configure this or should I simply Disable the device if it's not in use?

md5

Ah that explains the connection problems. Auto-negotiation is used between two devices to determine the speed that they should exchange messages. Your PC is complaining that it's ethernet card is set for auto-negotiation (which is the default and recommended setting) but somehow the device is connecting to is set up manually (i.e. manual duplex, so auto-negotiation is disabled). In such a scenario, you get a lot of errors and loss of connectivity (the device set to half-duplex will report late collisions and the device set to full-duplex will report runts).

Since you said that one PC is connected to the router via a hub and the other is connected directly and they both have problems, the router is the one to blame. Have a look at the router's configuration and enable auto-negotiation there

TJ-

mabye this thread might help you

Connection Problems... Modem or ISP?

Dyre Straits

Sounds logical to me.

I've had a look under both Basic and Advanced Settings and don't see where to exactly change the setting for this? Where can I find it?

md5

What brand and model is your router?

Dyre Straits

This one is a Network Everywhere (made by LinkSys) NR-401

EDIT: I might be onto something here. I went into the Properties of my Intel PROset PRO/1000 CT and noticed that IT was set to Auto-Negotiate. Since there's nothing else on my system (at present) that's capable of speeds of 1000, I set it manually to 100 Full Duplex.

Since, then, I've gotten 2 VERY FAST flashes that likely are the 'no connection' popups, but, they're too fast to read. I think the problem is on this and not on the router.

md5

Try updating its firmware
Look here
http://www.networkeverywhere.com/sup...t.asp#firmware

Dyre Straits

I did that the day we got it. I always check for the latest software/drivers/firmware, etc. Learned that a long time ago.

But, I do think the problem is in the PRO CT. When I set it to Auto Negotiate, it ends up at 100 Half Duplex. I'm setting it to 100 Full Duplex and occasionally getting a very quick split second popup now. It's entirely too fast to even read.

I think what's happening is that there is nothing else for it to connect to that can run at 1000 mbps and it doesn't like it.

I could throw up a few screenies if you're interested.

Dyre Straits

Ahhhh...I think I have uncovered the culprit!!!

The Intel PRO also has a Firewire connector. It seems that, for whatever reason, the network seeks for a connection to a firewire device. This is the "1394 Connection" listed in my Network Connections Properties. I Disabled that connection and haven't gotten this intermittent pop up since.