"a network cable is unplugged"

Could be a problem either with the router or with the NIC in the 'puter giving you the error message, if you're sure its not in fact a faulty ethernet cable. Sure seems to me the symptoms more likely point to a hardware issue than one related to software or firmware.

I changed all cables with known good ones, and changed them back again as a double check. I also swapped ports. The issue appears to be in the "puter" as I can not fail the wireless conection. If I disconnect the power cable to the computer overnight, I get 3-4 hours of network time in the AM which then fails. I saw a bunch of issues in 03 on "annoyances.com" , unfortunatly, the best solution for me is pulling the power cable for a number of hours which buys me some time. Problem is, it comes back. I also checked all fans and air ducts as well as internal connections.
Still need help, thanks for the reply.

OK ... sorta narrow it down to the NIC ... do you know if its a PCI card, r is it a motherboard NIC? Either way, if you have a PCI slot available, it'd be worthwhile to try a new or known good PCI nick, just to see what happens. Another alternative, if you're uncomfortable pokin' around inside the 'puter's case, might be to try a USB/Ethernet adapter ... a common laptop accessory, with many brands available at a variety of prices. Given that an actual PCI NIC of adequate capability would be around half the price of a USB adapter, though, I think I'd go with the internal hardware solution. Amounting to nothing more than loading the card's software from a disk, then powering down the machine, opening it up, slipping the card into a slot, closing things up, rebooting, and letting Windows do the rest, its not hard to install PCI cards, and in fact they come with explicit instructions. Well, I'm told they come with instructions, and that some are pretty good ... there are plenty of 'em around here for all sorts of hardware. I prolly oughtta read some sometime just to see

motherboard, will check other suggestions. If you check " anoyences.com", they seem too have had a rash of this, unfortunatly, nothing specific as to fix. I have been "powered up for 2.5 hrs, no issues yet, but would expect same in 4 hrs. will advise results tomorrow.
GO PACK!
L

Even if its a motherboard NIC, you can use a USB Ethernet adapter, or, if you have an available PCI slot, you can put in a hardware NIC.

thanks, we will see what happens. As an aside that I did not want to confuse the issue, this only seems to happens when the screensaver is activated for a period of time. I use the expanded version of "Aquarium 2". (bought more fish). I am wondering if there is a heat issue (heat being geberated when the screen saver is on?)
Will advise.
Cheers

Sorta suspect herdin' them fish may be a factor. If the machine's on or near the floor, a few years old, or in a dusty environment, or there are furred pets, or if you're a smoker, or any combination of that, it might benefit greatly from a cleaning. The slots and holes in the case for air movement could be plugged up, the fanblades could be dirty, or a fan itself might be faulty, and dust-and-debris in general (its astouning what can find its way inside a 'puter case over time) could be hampering temperature control. If the power supply and the case's architecture make it practical, bigger or more fans are options, and fans are real cheap. If you do open it up to take a look inside, you might wanna check to see if mebby the positioning of a ribbon cable or a wire bundle could be blocking airflow in the vicinity of the NIC's location on the board, or even directing hot air coming off the processor's heatsink into that area.

Before doin' any of that, though, I think I'd see what happens if the fish are given some time off. Screensavers serve little more than entertainment, and setting your Power Properties to "Turn off Monitor" will save you energy costs, and save your processor some work time.

agree completly. With the fish "off", ran the system all night with no event. With the fish turned back on, lost the network in 2.5 hrs. I will follow your lead, my problem is that my "obsessive/ compulsive personality" I will want to chip away at this until it is solved; or put another way, "why should I have to give up my fish" :wink:
I also want to get the "fish" software folks involved as there software had some conflicts as well (starting issues). They claim they never saw that before, so there could be a relationship.
don't ya just love these things, who wants to be outside anyway
cheers