Member Avatar for susannah87

I have two Dell computers, a desktop and a laptop both running XP. Both are and have been connected to each other in a home network for several months. They were connected using Win XPs Home networking wizard.

Yesterday morning an error message began flashing on the computers, stating that "A network cable is unplugged" when it definately is not! I presumed that this could be the cable since I have had this particular cable for a long time so I went and purchased a new network cable. Upon plugging this in and restarting the systems, the error message was still there and became much more frequent, flashing approximately once every two seconds and the computers become disconnected.

The server is a desktop and the client, a laptop. When the network connection becomes disconnected, the desktop's network adapter stops lighting up altogether whilst the laptop continues to flash at intervals, as if attempting to create a connection?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Short summary and likely cause: the behaviour you describe (the message repeating, the desktop NIC LED going completely dark while the laptop’s link sometimes returns when the plug is jiggled) most strongly points to a mechanical/physical problem at the laptop’s RJ‑45 jack or its solder joints, or a failing NIC on one of the machines. That pattern is different from a pure driver or cable problem and is commonly caused by worn/broken port hardware. (ifixit.com)

Focused troubleshooting (quick, ordered checks):

  • Verify link LEDs at both ends while the fault happens. A steady link LED usually means a physical link; blinking or disappearing LEDs indicate an intermittent physical or negotiation problem. (router-switch.com)
  • Swap endpoints: plug the same cable into a known-good router/switch port or another computer to rule out the cable and remote port.
  • On the laptop check Device Manager for errors and the System event log for NIC disconnect entries (timestamps tell you which side is dropping). If present, also check the adapter’s power options (some Windows power-management settings can stop or reset the NIC). (learn.microsoft.com)

Workarounds and short-term fixes:

  • Use a USB→Ethernet adapter or a docking station with its own RJ‑45 as a reliable temporary fix while you decide on repairs; these are plug‑and‑play on most systems and avoid opening the laptop. (d37zrt9wnah8io.cloudfront.net)

Repair and next steps:

  • If the laptop is under warranty, contact the manufacturer — they may replace the jack or the board. If not, a skilled repair shop can often replace or reflow the RJ‑45 connector, though some models require a motherboard replacement; ask the shop whether they will replace the jack itself or the board. For background on parts and how jacks are mounted, see teardown/repair notes. (ifixit.com)

Notes tied to the thread: ’s “wiggle” symptom strongly narrows the fault to the physical jack; and were correct to consider hardware/warranty, and ’s suggestion to avoid relying on the built‑in port until repaired (for example via an external adapter) is a safe approach.

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Member Avatar for JANINE

I have two Dell computers, a desktop and a laptop both running XP. Both are and have been connected to each other in a home network for several months. They were connected using Win XPs Home networking wizard.

Yesterday morning an error message began flashing on the computers, stating that "A network cable is unplugged" when it definately is not! I presumed that this could be the cable since I have had this particular cable for a long time so I went and purchased a new network cable. Upon plugging this in and restarting the systems, the error message was still there and became much more frequent, flashing approximately once every two seconds and the computers become disconnected.

The server is a desktop and the client, a laptop. When the network connection becomes disconnected, the desktop's network adapter stops lighting up altogether whilst the laptop continues to flash at intervals, as if attempting to create a connection?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It doesn't have to be the cable thats at fault here.. you've already ruled that out. looks to me as if one of the network adaptors has stopped functioning. have you checked to ensure that the network hasnt been disabled anywhere in eithr computer. if all seems to be apparent there and is showing as ok, attempt with a new card in the server machine. the main thing here is to rule out thing bit by bit until you find out where the problem is laying.

what brand of network adaptors are you using??:)

Member Avatar for susannah87

I think I've narrowed it down to the port on the laptop. If I wiggle it, the connection seems to stay. I've got it covered in sticky tape and it appears to work at the moment!

What can I do about this? If I take it to a repairer can they repair it or will I have to get a new one? i don't know how to change it myself because it's on a laptop.

Member Avatar for w1r3sp33d

If it is the port itself you will probably need to have the motherboard swapped depending on model.

Personally I would put a 10/100 card in the pc slot and disable the damaged built in adapter to avoid being without my laptop.

BTW, are you sure it isn't just the connector on the cable?

Member Avatar for ZeroExistenZ

After searching all over the internet and reading too many conclusions the hardware might be broken one might try the following which solved this issue for me;

Select the networkcard which is giving the "A network cable is disconnected"-message.
Go into the Advanced type, then "connection type".
Select the appropriate Type in the dropdown on the right.

This was set on Auto-Negotiation, which gave me the error.
Setting it on 100BaseTx Full Duplex solved it for me as it was appropriate for my Ethernet card.

Member Avatar for alc6379

Is your laptop still within Warranty? That's a part your manufacturer will replace, if it's messed up. That's usually either a motherboard replacement, or a little jack attached to the bottom plastics assembly on the laptop.

Member Avatar for ZeroExistenZ

Oh no, I just came across this thread searching for the Status message "A network cable is unplugged" which was frustrating me. And couldn't find anyhere a solution.

The above actions did solve it for me, so I just thought to post my solution inhere as this one of the first forums that I came across in google while trying to find answers in google myself.

Thanks anyhow :)

Member Avatar for gabex

Hi guys. I stumbled across this problem as well, except mine is a little different. I have a desktop PC and an xbox 360, when I go hardwire from PC to modem, everything is perfectly fine and I can idle on messenger clients for days. Unfortunately when I go through my router I keep getting random "A network cable is unplugged" flashing repeatedly every 5 minutes or so. I've swapped routers and even purchased new ones and still tend to receive this problem. At first I thought it was a bad NIC card but nope, it isn't. The only thing that bothers me is that it's really annoying, and I can't seem to keep a STEADY connection on a messenger client without getting disconnected every hour or at random times. I lost all hope in routers due to this issue, and the part that it's even hard wired, and still giving me this issue is just weird. Any suggestions/ideas? Thanks!

Member Avatar for DMR

Hi gabex,

First of all- welcome to DaniWeb :)

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Member Avatar for DMR

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