Member Avatar for problemswithit

This morning, my computer was running the internet fine. However, my three year old stuck her finger on the power button (it is now taped over...) and turned it off while I was still working. When I powered it back up, the wireless router connected and provided wireless internet to the laptop, ipod touch, etc. However, the desktop won't connect. It keeps on flashing :

Local Area Connection 2 - a network cable is unplugged between trying to acquire a network address.

However, it is doing this fast, there is no time to look for a network address since it is literally displaying those messages every split second. I tried disconnecting everything, and rebooting correctly. I tried rebooting the wireless router. Its driving me crazy. Anyone have any ideas?

  • 6 Contributors
  • 5 Replies
  • 296 Views
  • 1 Week Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by gadmobiles

Dani AI

Generated

The desktop's repeating message ("Local Area Connection 2 - a network cable is unplugged between trying to acquire a network address") while other devices have working Wi‑Fi strongly suggests the problem is the PC itself rather than the router. Rapid status flips typically mean Windows is cycling an adapter or a network service that immediately fails; the abrupt shutdown makes service or driver state corruption more likely.

A practical isolation sequence helps narrow the cause. First, connect the desktop directly to the router with an Ethernet cable and watch for NIC/router link lights — a working wired link points at the wireless adapter or its config. In the Network Connections list identify which adapter corresponds to "Local Area Connection 2" and temporarily disable any adapters that report "unplugged" so Windows stops switching between interfaces. Device Manager with hidden devices shown can reveal ghost or duplicate adapters left over after the sudden power loss.

Check the OS side next. Confirm that DHCP Client, Network Location Awareness and the WLAN service are running, and consider a Safe Mode with Networking boot to rule out third‑party firewall or VPN interference. Event Viewer entries for DHCP/TCPIP or driver errors at boot time are especially useful because they include codes and timestamps that point to driver, service, or stack failures. As and noted, verifying whether the machine actually gets an IP and can reach the router is a key diagnostic data point.

If a wired test works but wireless does not, hardware/antenna/slot problems become likely — 's reseating idea is plausible, and /'s driver‑refresh suggestion is a reasonable next step; a temporary USB Wi‑Fi adapter can confirm that quickly. If Event Viewer and Safe Mode indicate deeper corruption, a system restore to a pre‑shutdown point (after backing up data) is a cautious escalation. Avoid repeated power‑cycling during tests so LEDs and log timestamps remain meaningful.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for BlackFetus

..try to reset your wireless card in your PC..or try to switch other PCI slots of your wireless card and install the driver of it..i hope it helps!..^_^..

Member Avatar for cry00

..try to reset your wireless card in your PC..or try to switch other PCI slots of your wireless card and install the driver of it..i hope it helps!..^_^..

and then Retrieves the IP address

Member Avatar for arshadislam

Check your IP Configuration.

Use the PING Command from the DOS prompt to by pinging the both Devices.

if it doesn't resolve the issue also after Repairing the Internet connection by right clicking on the Local Area Network icon in the Status Tray then contact your INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER REPRESENTATIVE.

Member Avatar for 07knev

uninstall the network card drivers, reboot and load the drivers,

Member Avatar for gadmobiles

reinstall driver, after that you configure your network...

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.