Ethernet - media disconnected

I know there are other posts with similar issues, but after trying everything suggested, nothing is working and I am rapidly losing my sanity. I'm having connection issues both at my own home and a friend's, where I can connect to the internet wirelessly for around 20-30 mins before I can no longer view webpages (even though the wireless connection still shows itself to be strong and connected). I tested the TCP/IP config and got this:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\TEMP>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.11
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

C:\Documents and Settings\TEMP>ping 127.0.0.1

Pinging 127.0.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 127.0.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\TEMP>ping 192.168.0.11

Pinging 192.168.0.11 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.0.11:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\TEMP>


My IP address doesn't appear to have been lost, and I'm not losing any packets, so the only problem seems to be the ethernet adapter which is listed as disconnected.

I've run a full virus scan to see if it was a bug, restored my laptop to previous day when everything was working, disabled my LAN/ethernet connection (which means the media disconnected message doesn't show up in command prompt, but nothing's fixed) and checked to see if my wireless driver is up-to-date (it is)...Also, using the ethernet cable does not work despite saying it's connected.
The only way I use the net (works randomly!) is by disabling my wireless connection, then enabling again and repairing it, but it's not a practical long-term solution. No-one else in either house is having the same issue so I know it must be my settings/laptop, but I haven't done anything that I know of which could have triggered it.

Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated!

 

Go to device manager and delete the network adapter (first be sure you have the drivers for it).

Reboot the machine and it will reinstall the adapter and TCP/IP.

Retest.

 

Sorry, might be a totally dumb question, but how can I find out/ how will I know if I have the drivers?

 

If the NIC came with the machine then the drivers should be on a "drivers" cd that also came with the machine.

Or, you could go to the manufacturer site for the pc and get them from there.

Or, you could go to the NIC manufacturer site and get them from there.

 

Ok, uninstalled all drivers under network adapters and rebooted. Reinstalled the drivers, but the problem is still there? I'm guessing I have another 25 minutes before it disconnects again...

 

While your on the Internet, see if there are any later drivers for you NIC.

 

I'm pretty sure the one I have is it, I really can't see any others.

 

The other Media connector is probaly the wired connection.

It can stay this way if you use the Wireless.

It might be that it goes to sleep after 25Min.

Check the setting of the Power Saving on the Wireless card's properties and change to either not to save or allow this connection to wake up on traffic.

 

Well, how did it go?

 

Thanks for all your help guys, I went home and reinstalled the drivers from my original installation cd's and everything seems to be in working order! I'm still not sure why it went haywire, just glad to have it back
Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

Very good. Glad it all worked out for you.