Hello! I am having difficulties connecting a brand new computer to the internet. I have a fresh install of Windows 7 64-bit and currently there are no other programs installed. When I plug my Ethernet cable to my computer and try to connect to internet it says that my Ethernet cable is not plugged in. However, the cable IS plugged in. And the problem is not in the cable, because the same cable can be used on my other computer (which has Win XP) and it works fine. I tried to plug in directly to ISP modem (it has 8 slots and ISP is providing me with 3 IPs) or to the addition router which I have. I get the same 'Ethernet cable is not plugged in' error both ways. Also note that my other computer can connect both directly on ISP modem and to router (on the same Ethernet cable) and it works fine. But on my new computer all I get is 'Ethernet cable is not plugged in'. If I am plugged into router I can't even ping it in CMD as I get some general error. If I type 'ipconfig /all' I get this message: Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconected Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Tunnel adapter isatap. (some long number/letter serial code): Media State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconected Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : I am using Asus P7P55D-E Pro motherboard and device manager recognizes network adapter as "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller". Original driver version was 7.2.1127.2008 (dated 26.2.2008). Which I upgraded to august 2010 version of driver (which came with the DVD along my Asus board). Updated drivers did not solve the problem. I then went to Realtek website and got the newest driver 7.31.1025.2010 (dated 25.10.2010). Same problem - Ethernet cable is not plugged in. I tried starting Windows in Safe mode (with networking). I tried changing the NIC settings (to not turn off device to save power, I tried disabling 'Green Ethernet', tried to change settings from auto-detect to 100Mbs full Duplex) - all of which doesn't solve my problem. I also tried to uninstall NIC from my device manager and restarted computer so that it found new hardware. No luck either. I am not sure what to do? PS: I also noticed that if I go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections that my Local Area Connection status changes approximately every 10 seconds. It goes from "cable unplugged" to "enabled" to "identifying connection" and back to cable unplugged (but the whole thing lasts less then a second). I don't know what's that all about but it is only happening if my Ethernet cable is plugged into the computer.Also, the LED lights where my Ethernet cable is connected blink a couple times every 10 seconds or so (when my Ethernet cable is plugged into computer).

Check the wire contacts in the mainboard's ethernet jack, make sure none are crossed or bent. If any are, disconnect the power and straighten them out with tweezers. Check the solder points where the jack connects to the mainboard, make sure they're tight and none of the solder is cracked. If it is, return the mainboard for a replacement. Try a different cable - sometimes the slots in the RJ45 plug are just a bit too narrow for the wires in the jack; it may work fine in one jack and not in another.

Disable the onboard and try a different card.