LAN disconnects intermittently

[MartinRydman]

Hi all,

I'm running WIN 2000 on an IBM A30 ThinkPad using Intel Pro/100 VE Network Connector. This has been functioning flawlessly for the last couple of years. The other day, the connection sudenly started to malfunction. It doesn't shut down, but any app using it (IE, Outlook, VPN tunnels) just won't work. Mostly, they work for a minute or so, then they just stop. Sometimes I get a couple of minutes. The device as such doesn't report any problems. If I disconnet my LAN and then reconnects, it will work for a while and then stop again. I'm *no* expert on this, so I'm at a loss.

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the device, but to no avail. Also, the problem is the same regardless of cable or location. My hunch is that some piece of software interferes with the device, but can't even imaging where to start looking. For example, one thing I did just before the problem started was plugging in a USB HD from a friend. I've no reports of viruses from him, but maybe that driver somehow iterferes with the LAN-driver? Needle in a haystack...

Any pointers as to how I can troubleshoot this mess greatly appreciated!

/Martin

 

[tdenitti]

Have you tried a completely different NIC in the laptop? If that works out for you then go with it. That will eliminate the "needle in a haystack" problem. I hope this helps.

 

[MartinRydman]

Hi,

I'm actually looking at replacing the whole darn computer, since it's long overdue, anyway. Strange thing is, after switching to another node in the net yesterday, and then back to my desk again, I've gone without problems the whole day. On the other hand, my VPN tunnels have started to behave really strange...

So it's probably not the NIC as such, but just the accumulated effect of three years of junk loaded into the machine, I guess.

Thanks anyway!

/Martin