Arrrrrgh!

[julianhj]

I've just been trying to hook up my mum's new Dell to broadband. For some reason it refuses to believe the ethernet cable is plugged in. I have the red X on the network connections window. I know it's not a broadband or cable issue, as I'm using the same to write this now on my old computer.

Is there anything I've not thought of, or is it a case of iffy hardware in the new Dell?

[pmanson]

Have a look in Device Manager it could be disabled.

Have you tried updating the drivers?

[Trooper2]

I had that problem when I first got DSL and it turned out that the modem I rented with the DSL service was at fault. It wouldn't recognize my Ethernet card. DSL company sent out a new modem, end of problem.

[agent006]

It's dells power management stuff. I had this not half an hour ago. If it's on battery power, it shuts the network card off by default.

[julianhj]

Cross-over or Patch?

Currently on my old PC I'm using a crossover cable. When I plug this into the Dell and run the network adapter diagnostics it tells me there is a mismatch in cables, and to try using a straight-through cable instead. Could this be the answer? 35 minutes on the phone to Dell (Mumbai office) yielded no results, and they couls only suggest I try either an ethernet or a USB cable for the connection.

I'm using an NTL set-top box BTW.

[Neil_H]

julianhj said:

Cross-over or Patch? Currently on my old PC I'm using a crossover cable. When I plug this into the Dell and run the network adapter diagnostics it tells me there is a mismatch in cables, and to try using a straight-through cable instead. Could this be the answer? 35 minutes on the phone to Dell (Mumbai office) yielded no results, and they couls only suggest I try either an ethernet or a USB cable for the connection. I'm using an NTL set-top box BTW.

Strictly speaking cross-over is for PC to PC connections, you need patch cable for NIC to router, although most modern equipment will reverse it automatically. Try a different cable.

[TheExcession]

Neil_H said:

Strictly speaking cross-over is for PC to PC connections, you need patch cable for NIC to router, although most modern equipment will reverse it automatically. Try a different cable.

and aint that a blessing, I was most impressed to realise that I could hook up a few linksys routers using patch cables when I thought they'd need crossovers.

(only coz ever time I need to make a x-over I have to google the wiring digram, everybody now, all together

stripey orange, orange
stripey green, blue
stripey blue, green
stripey brown, brown

every body 'appy? oh lah la lah lah la lah.....)

[GlenMH]

julianhj said:

I've just been trying to hook up my mum's new Dell to broadband. For some reason it refuses to believe the ethernet cable is plugged in. I have the red X on the network connections window. I know it's not a broadband or cable issue, as I'm using the same to write this now on my old computer. Is there anything I've not thought of, or is it a case of iffy hardware in the new Dell?

Is this a desktop? Mate of mine has been having loads of snags with his Dell desktop not recognising the cable. Whilst I wasn't there, he tried the brute force approach and pushed the cable in harder - lots harder

Has worked fautlessly ever since.....

Glen

[julianhj]

I sussed it by buying a new patch lead from Maplin. Cheers for your advice!