Ethernet port dead?

[chittnp]

I have an Alienware area51-m7700 laptop, and apparently the ethernet port has stopped working. I just used it not to long ago, but it isnt registering that a cable is plugged in when I plug one in. If I leave a cable plugged in...the icon in the system tray gets the little scanning dots and tells me a network cable is unplugged every few seconds. I've tried it with a few different cable that work on other machines, and I've tested the cord Im trying to use on other machine with no problems.I have un-installed and re-installed the drivers for it with no luck. My wireless works just fine....and I'd hate to RMA the system because that will take forever. Anyone have any ideas??

[jajmon]

Use the wireless or buy a $20 pcmcia card.

[su root]

Download a copy of Knoppix, or another live CD. If it works fine on the LiveCD, then it's your OS install, if it has the same issues, then it's the NIC.

[chittnp]

I knew that copy of overclockix would come in handy. I'll give it a shot.

[chittnp]

Ok, here's an interesting problem. I couldnt get online in overclockix, and I dont have the knowledge to try anything diagnostic, so I reboot back to windows...and it works. But it only works with a 6ft cat 5 cable, I can get online....ping my router, all that good stuff. I had been trying it with a 50 ft cat 5e cable and it doesn't work at all....just with the short cat 5. any ideas? I've tried the 50 ft cable on my roomates PC with no problems...so I know it works...I just cant think of any reason why it wouldnt work on my laptop.

[su root]

The cable may be starting to wear.. if it's in a place where it'll get stepped on, rolled over, kinked, turned sharply, or disturbed on a regular basis, then it'll degrade over time. Your laptop may be sensitivie enough that it's beginning to see the effects.

[chittnp]

I just bought the cable yesterday, but maybe I need a higher quality cable or something. Maybe the LAN port just isnt powerful enough to work over longer distances. I'm really stumped.

[su root]

The NIC should be able to transmit to at least 100 meters (380ish feet). Since it's a new cable, it may be that, especially if everything works fine when you use another cable.

[chittnp]

well, the cable works with my roomates computer, and my xbox....but the laptop only seems to work with the short cat 5 cable (all my other cables are cat 5e).

[four4875]

are the pins inside the lappys ethernet jack dirty / oxidised and stuff? my compaq was like that, would only work with certain cables, i scraped them clean with the end of a file (it was handy lol) and it got much better. might be worth a shot.

[chittnp]

Ill give that a shot...although from what I can tell they look fine...but a cleaning wont hurt I suppose. This really irratates me, I just got this laptop in october..grrr. Next time I'll just get a dell (shudder)