LAN interface gets unplugged

Hi,

maybe someone out there came across a similar issue like me:

my problem is that occassionally I get disconnected from my IPS, because
the LAN interface suddenly indicates "unplugged" while the cable is
phisically plugged in. The strange bahavior cannot be predicted. It
repairs itself when restarting the PC or unplugging and plugging the
network cable (however the phisical connection is OK, for sure). I use the
ONBOARD LAN and the latest drivers downloaded at Broadcom. The NIC is
Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet Windows XP (32 bit) version 7.86
11/23/04 75KB. A checkbox to allow to save power at the Broadcom
NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet is UNchecked. I've already tried to reinstall the network card. The BIOS is the latest. There is an option like LAN boot ROM which is disabled in bios - I'm not sure what it is for, however.

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP2, motherboard ASUS A7V8X, Athlon 1800+ processor, a 300W power adapter, DDR RAM 512MB.

 

Have you tried the "limited or no connectivity" fix for SP2 systems discussed in Dez Bradley's sticky post at the top of this Networking forum? I used it weeks ago after getting disconnected numerous times a day. I haven't had any trouble with disconnects since.

 

Thank you for the hint. Perheps I will try the fix, but before I want to determine whether there is everything OK with my NIC.
Do you know of a good software which helped me test my network card?

 

My experience has been that a network card either works or it doesn't...meaning, if it works at all, it's okay.

However, take a look at How to Test a Network Adapter if you want to make sure.