ADSL Wireless Router problem - grateful for help please

[Trace]

I have a Linksys wireless router, and recently it has started playing up.  I keep getting a message saying "A network cable is unplugged", the ethernet port light is flashing on and off at same time the message is popping up and down.  I have tried a brand new Ethernet cable in it and still it won't work.  I have also tried it in all 4 ports on the router.

The wireless side of things is perfectly fine.  My laptop is still detecting the router.  I even tried resetting the router and starting from scratch.  (Now have an unprotected connection for my troubles too).

This has started ever since my fan stopped working and I had to unplug everything and install a new fan.  When I connected everything back up again the "A network cable is unplugged" message started appearing every now and then.  Now it is up and down every 2 seconds.  I have checked and checked and checked that everything is plugged in where it should be.

This has got me completely foxed.  I don't want to have to go out and buy a new router until  have tried everything else possible first.

Any suggestions or help would be gratefully received.

[Suited_Jock]

Im assuming that you have a desktop PC plugged into the router??

It could well be your PC's network card...

A test to identify which it is would be to plug your laptop in via Network cable to the router if the same thing happens then its a fault on the LAN ports of the router. If it works fine then its more than likely your PC's network card. You could try reinstalling the drivers for your Desktops network card and if that still dosent work you will probably have to replace it with a new PCI network card.

-Matt

[I, Zimbra]

It definitely sounds like a PC problem of some sort; I don't suppose you could hook the router up directly to the laptop via the ethernet cable to test the router itself?

That would tell you for sure that the PC/network card is the problem.

[Suited_Jock]

It definitely sounds like a PC problem of some sort; I don't suppose you could hook the router up directly to the laptop via the ethernet cable to test the router itself?

That would tell you for sure that the PC/network card is the problem.

Is there an echo in here

[I, Zimbra]

misread.

[Trace]

Sorry guys  meant to answer this earlier and got side tracked!

When I reset the router the other day, I had to plug it into my laptop to put all my broadband settings back in and message was popping up then too.

Strangely enough, since posting this the port light is flashing mega fast but we have internet connection again.

It's well and truly pissing me off because I can't work out what is wrong with it.

[the-oneeye]

like any detctive story tracey hun its a case of hit and miss. try everything then u will establish the problem. the main thing is to check ur router is working , then check the most stable connection, ie the desk top if it is hardwired to the router, then if that is working assess the laptop and go from there.

 the internet is full of useless information anyway, stick to BBC news.

[Trace]

like any detctive story tracey hun its a case of hit and miss. try everything then u will establish the problem. the main thing is to check ur router is working , then check the most stable connection, ie the desk top if it is hardwired to the router, then if that is working assess the laptop and go from there.

 the internet is full of useless information anyway, stick to BBC news.

I've googled the darn problem till I'm all google-eyed...

Kisd can get on (fight over) Runescape again, so balls to it, if push comes to shove I'll get a wireless whatsit for the main PC and bin the ethernet connection!

Thanks guys.