On Sun, 20 May 2007 08:22:39 -0400, "Michael" wrote:

Dave,
Simple things first that you may have already tried.

Does the 'network adapter' show up in Device manager? (It should as you get
the disconnected message)

Do the connectivity lights come on at the router and Dell end?
Expect that there are two small lights at the dell end, one should light
when cable is connected to router the other when traffic is passing.

If the lights at the Dell and router end don't light it is possible (not
very likely with newer gear) that you have the wrong type of cable between
the Dell and the router. There are two cables wirings: normal and crossover.
Modern gear detects which cable is being used so doesn't matter. Some
el-cheapo devices don't do the auto detect.

If that is the case (again pretty unusual with newer gear) you will need to
change the cable or get a really cheap network hub (they contain an internal
crossover).

If you have a crossover cable, then it should work if you connect the Dell
and one of your laptops directly without the router. You will get a local
peer-peer two computer network with the lights on.

Michael

I agree with your diagnosis.

There is a 3rd type of cable out the
Miswired.

Some hardware will work wit incorrect pairings on shorter runs (50' is a
fairly short run). Others are fussy.

OP, Look at the colors of the wires in both ends. Holding the plugs the same
way, a straight cable will be identical. while their is a color convention, as
long as the PAIRS are properly terminated, it will work


Important NOTE pr2 (usually the green pair) is split around pr1 (not really
used except for POE equipment)
pr4b
pr4a
pr2b ---
pr1a
pr1b
pr2a ---
pr3b
pr3a

Lastly, disable "allow power to be turned off on this device" feature (at
least for testing).