I keep getting the message Network Cable unplugged. After a few seconds, the red X disappears and is says renewing IP address, but 1-3 seconds later the unplugged message is back, then 3-5 seconds later it cycles again. I've updated the driver, uninstalled and reinstalled the NIC, changed cables (several times). I can ping 127.0.0.1, but nothing else. Ipconfig says media disconnected, UNLESS you hit that moment when it is trying to establish the IP address, in which case it says zeros. The light is on the NIC card. I've deleted winsock & winsock2 and reinstalled TCP/IP. I'm out of ideas. Can anyone help?

this problem could be a few things. the first thing that i would do is reboot all modems and routers. reset them if possible. if this does not fix the problem, replace all of the ethernet cables going from your modem to your computer, or your source cable to your modem. if this does not work, your ethernet card is not doing it's job. check to see that all of the connectors are still in place and make sure that the card is secured in position. also try creating a new network connection if necessary. :)

optiplex pentium 120, 120mhz processor

It was originally on a home network, and rebooting the cable modem and router didn't help, so I brought it in and plugged into our network, but with no change. It's an on-board NIC, so no card to come loose. I did try creating a new connection, but that didn't help, either. The device manager says it's working properly, but I wonder if the network controller is the problem. It's a low profile machine and I don't have another NIC that will fit. This is a faculty PC and they want me to wipe and reload, but I can't see that will fix this issue.

Did you ever resolve the problem? I am experiencing the exact same symptoms.