Netwrk cable unplugged....losing internet connection

[tdsteve2000]

Heres my problem:

I use roadrunner via an external toshiba 2200 cable modem connected to a usb port. When my PC sits idle for 15+ minutes and I try to open my browser, I get a "google.com could not be found" error, and if I try to access email I get a connection error also. Theres almost always a "network cable is unplugged" icon in my system tray, and I cant figure out how to fix it. If I disable the network connection it doesnt get my internet connection back. I have to reboot to get online. Heres a screenshot of my network connections folder

http://picthisorelse.homestead.com/files/network.jpg

Any help on what I can do to get rid of theis problem??? Its annoying because I can be online, then logoff, and 15+ minutes later I cant get on unless I reboot. Im using norton personal firewall, but the problem was there before I installed it. The XP firewall is disabled, and I dont know much about network connections or how to configure them. Any help is appreciated.

[tdsteve2000]

Ok, I just noticed in device manager that my cable modem is listed twice - once in network adapters, and once in USB controllers. Heres a screenshot of my device manager with the modem listed twice

http://picthisorelse.homestead.com/files/network2.jpg

In network adapters it says "Toshiba PCX2200 USB cable modem (NDIS 5)"

in USB controllers it says "Toshiba PCX2200 USB cable modem (WDM)"


????????? any help????

[Baser-X]

I'd say you're most likely having a USB and/or modem issue. Do you have other USB devices? Are they having issues too? Next time you get the network cable unplugged icon in your systray go to your device manager and see if there are any problems with any of your devices. Let us know, because I'm just taking a guess here since I can't think of any other reason why you'd be getting a network cable unplugged error with your setup. The only time I see that are when I A) have a cable unplugged, B) shutdown/restart my router or C) shutdown/restart my modem.

[tdsteve2000]

device manager says everything is working properly. This is driving me crazy.....I didnt think I even HAD any network cabels?!?!? Im not using a network, its a standalone PC...

Ive only had this PC for a month, so Im new to XP (had Win98 before this and never had any issues with the modem)

[RichyL]

To get rid of the network cable is unplugged error either disable the network card in device manager if your not using it or go into network connections, right click and disable the network connection that corresponds to your network card. It's not going to affect your internet connection as your connecting to it via USB

[tinabone]

You also might want to check how your nic handles power management. Look in the properties of your nic. I've noticed for some reason that some nic cards behave strangely and can cause certain things not to work correctly, even usb devices. :cool:

[ceh383]

To add to the above reply.....

Right click on "My Network Places" select properties. Right click on the cable modem, select propreties. Click the "Configure" button then the Power Management tab. Make sure the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" is NOT checked.