Network Cable is Unplugged, But it Isn't

All of a sudden, the internet for my main computer decided to crap out. It now has the network icon in the tray and says that the network cable is unplugged. It is not unplugged. Okay, then I thought it was the router, so I restarted the router and I still get the same thing. Alright then, I'll change the wire, and yet again, it has solved nothing. Then I decided to restart the computer, and still no results.

I have the right wires, it was working before and when the cable is plugged in the back of the computer, the LED isn't on when it's supposed to be on.

The router is a wireless router and I'm using that router right now with the other computer that is connected. Not only that, but my PS3 connects just fine. It's not the router, because if it was, then the internet on the computer I'm on at this moment shouldn't be working.

I also checked the BIOS and Device Manager and it was enabled. The computer is a little old though.

I've been asking around, but I got no answers. So anybody here know what's wrong?

 

Uninstall and reinstall the network device, and try with another cable (again).

cheers ...

 

try using a different plug on the router? If the lights are off it means there is a problem with the physical connection.

 

I've tried a different cable and I've used a different plug on the router. I also did both at the same time.

So where does this leave my computer? It's a strange coincidence since my family was thinking of buying a new computer. Is it entirely possible that 7-8 years of use made the port break or something?

 

Have you checked the router to see if there is some sort of MAC filtering enabled?

 

You get a ''a Network cable is unplugged'' message if you have a Network connection profile disabled in Windows. Make sure everything is how it should be, go to Start, All programs, Accessories, Communications and then Network Connections. Make sure nothing shows as disabled there.

 

Tried the above two posters' ideas, and still nothing.

A friend told me to reinstall the OS. I'll leave that as the second last resort.

 

Instead of OS reinstall, try some live linux cd/usb bootable windows. They usually carry enough basic drivers for network. If you get network connectivity with live OS, then you know it's software issue and reinstall works.

And if computer in question is a desktop, pci ethernet cards can be found practically free of charge from recycled desktops Ask around friends, or borrow it from another computer.