Ethernet adapter stops working properly

I have a problem with my internet randomly failing only on my desktop. This problem only started since i upgraded to Windows 8 so if it would be better in the windows 8 forum please feel free to move it, or i can re-post there.

First it happens maybe once a week where suddenly i can't connect to any webpages, or use anything that requires internet. However my ethernet status still shows that i am connected, and it is not limited. The only way i have found that will get me back on is to restart my computer.

My normal troubleshooting methods fail, and seem to make things worse.
I usually start with the troubleshooter which finds and fixes nothing. Then i manually disable my ethernet adapter. This will freeze up the network connections pages, and will never disable the adapter. Everything else on the computer still works fine.

My final attempt to fix it usually consists of unplugging my ethernet cable, and then plugging it back in after 10 seconds. This one is a little weird. Some of the time it just changes nothing, but then on some occasion my computer gets a blue screen when i plug it back in. I am pretty experienced with computers and stuff and have never seen anything like this before.

All of my drivers are up to date, and i even tried rolling back my ethernet drivers. problem happened again in about 5 days. Im starting to think maybe i need to buy a new NIC. It could also be my cable maybe, but that would be tough to replace because i'm downstairs and we have it feeding through the floor. Any ideas or suggestions on what my problem might be?

 

Hello stoutp, welcome to Computer Help Forums.

First of all...You've said that your ethernet cable is running through the floor from another part of the building. I have some questions regarding that set up..

1. Are there other computers connected to the hub/modem that your cable plugs into? And if so, how many?

2. Do you have access to the hub/modem, or are you in a shared house with only one person having access?

3. Is your NIC usb based or PCI? (In my opinion PCI is best)

If you have access to the internet hub, the next time you lose the signal try rebooting the hub alone. Obviously if several other people are using the internet via the hub at that time, you'll have to ask them first. You should also ask them if their internet signal has dropped out as well.

As for renewing the ethernet cable its self, although this can be tricky when having to pass through walls and floors, it can be done without taking up floor boards, etc. The first thing to establish is "Can you pull the existing cable backwards and forwards easily though the existing holes in the floors/walls", and are the holes easily big enough to accommodate the ends/connectors of a Cat5 cable?

If you can do this, then unplug the ethernet cable from your computer and tie a piece of string around the cable an inch or so back from the ethernet connector. Using gaffa tape or similar...Tape the string to the cable.
DO NOT PUT STICKY TAPE OVER THE END CONNECTOR ITS SELF!

Now wrap a small piece of material around the end connector its self (Protects the connector) before taping over the whole lot. Your finished taped area should be maybe 2 to 3 inches long and in the shape of a torpedo.

You should now be able to gently pull the ethernet cable through each wall or floor that it passes through until you have it all right back in the room where the Hub/Modem is. With the string having taken its place.
When this is done use the same method as before to tape your new cable to the string, and gently pull the cable through all the floors and walls until you have the new cable adjacent to your computer.

Just peel all the sticky tape off and disconnect the string. Remember...the small piece of cloth/material that you wrapped around the connector will have protected it from the adhesive.

Please get back to us regarding how you get on...

 

Hi and welcome to Computer Help Forums.
Further to PseFranks good advice above, I would replace the the NIC card.
They are not expensive.

 

Thanks for your replies. I'll answer the questions in order now.

1. The other computers are connected to the same router as mine. It is a verizon fios cable/modem router. Can check on actual model if you feel it will help.

2. I have full access to the modem

3. My I don't actually have a PCI NIC installed now. I am using the ethernet that is built into my motherboard. If i need to install a NIC though its not a problem.

I managed to get the new ethernet cable setup. Was a lot easier than i thought using your methods. Problem is like I said it happens maybe once a week so now i gotta wait to see if that was the problem. Or if i need to buy a NIC. Maybe I will just buy one anyway to see what happens. Will get back to you if problem happens again.

 

Thanks for getting back to us Stoutp.

Hopefully you won't be losing your signal again, but if you do...try the above first.