Thinkpad R60: Ethernet port stopped working...

Hi, all.

My R60's ethernet port stopped working. My wifi works, and when the laptop is sitting on the docking station, the docking station's ethernet port works. That's the reason why I haven't noticed this problem until yesterday, I was trying to plug into an ethernet port in someone else's office (our office has no wifi connections) and found out it did not work.

Is this a definitely a hardware issue?

Is there anything I can do to rule out any software issue?

If it is a hardware issue, what would I need to do in order to correct this? I guess I can always by a PC card with an ethernet port, but I want to see if I can easily replace the internal one...

Any idea or suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Ken.

 

Did you try using different CAT-5/6 cables and made sure it wasn't the cable?

If it isn't the cable, I don't think there is much you can do to fix it. I am pretty sure the Ethernet port is hardwired to the Motherboard.

Do you still have a warranty? If so send it in immediately and get it fixed.

 

I've tried with different cables, and made sure that there was no problem with the cable end of things. So there is no other solutions than 1) replace motherboard; or 2) get a PC card with an ethernet port?

Thanks.

 

Not that I can think of. What about warranty coverage?

 

Thanks. Warranty is long gone. I am a bit disappointed by the fact that something like that would fail in a Thinkpad, whose selling point was its sturdy nature. My laptop did not experience any real impact to speak of, and I took a fairly good care of it.... I mean for no apparent reason, it just failed....

 

Stuff happens even on ThinkPads. The fix for it would be to replace the motherboard, which probably is north of $150 unless you get lucky on eBay. I guess if you're not using the Ethernet port much, a PCMCIA Ethernet card is an option.

 

Have you checked Device Manager to make sure the device is working properly? Also, have you tried uninstalling the drivers, and reinstalling the latest ones from Lenovo's website?

 

It can't be the device manager, as my ethernet connection works perfectly if it is sitting on a docking station, like right now. It doesn't work if I undock it, and connect the ethernet cable directly to my laptop. So... I can safely rule out software problem...

But thanks, though for your suggestion. I think I am simply going to buy PCMCIA card...

Thank you everyone!