Windows7 32bit Disables NIC

I support a user who is using a Dell OptiPlex 760 on a LAN. They work in the company’s Shipping and Receiving Department and were recently migrated to Windows 7 SP1 with IE v9.0. The user now states that, “My Internet connection is lost at random on the computer. Upon rebooting the computer the internet returns, but then it will drop out again hours later.”

The scenario is that the user access the Internet during the morning hours, leaves their office area to make pickup/deliveries and returns to their office after several hours only to discover that the network card on the computer is no longer working (network connectively icon has a red x – also, the NIC’s link light no longer shows any activity). In order to re-establish a network connection, they must reboot the system.

I have been attempting for several days now to resolve their issue. The things that I have done are:
1. Ensuring that the computer has the most recent critical Windows updates.
2. Downloading and installing the most current driver from Dell’s website for the system’s Intel Pro 100 NIC and Windows 7 32 bit
3. Downloading and installing the most current driver from Dell for the system’s Intel chipset and Windows 7 32 bit
4. Changing the Device Manager settings for Power Management of NIC to disabled
5. Ensuring the Windows Power Options are set for
a. Sleep after 30 minutes
b. Allow hybrid sleep on
c. Hibernate never
d. Wake up timers enabled
e. PCI Link state Moderate Power Saving
f. Turn display off after 20 minutes

Short of replacing the NIC or network cable, I have applied/ tried all the known fixes for this issue. I hesitate to replace the cable or the NIC as a fix because upon reboot the computer is able to establish a network connection.

I am looking for a solution to this problem based upon something that I may have over looked and not tried. Information I have gleaned from Internet research indicates that is a known problem, but it apparently has no definite solution.

If you have one, please reply.


References:
a. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itpronetworking/thread/60ec6b74-6cc3-4e02-bb2c-d0d26149d64f/
b. https://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/32186-ethernet-connection-lost-found.html
c. http://forums.newsbin.com/viewtopic.php?p=158954
http://superuser.com/questions/96998/windows-7-intermittently-drops-wired-internet-lan-connection

No, I did not check the BIOS for power saving for the NIC. I do have the Wake-on-LAN enabled in the BIOS; so, thank you. I will give that a go and let you know.

richnrockville said:

My vote would be for the sleep option turning off the power to the card and not waking it up when you resume.

Try it without the sleep option, blank the monitor and see what happens.

Rich

I am not understanding what you are recommending. Where in the Power Options of Windows 7 Pro do you turn off the sleep option to the on-board NIC? I only have a listing for the wiresless NIC.

WebMattR said:

Have you examined the BIOS? Given that you knocked off the first few things on my list, I'd check in there for power saving options?

No, I did not check the BIOS for power saving for the NIC. I do have the Wake-on-LAN enabled in the BIOS; so, thank you. I will give that a go and let you know.

Hello Rich,

Okay, the light is on now, but I already have hiberate set to disabled. Also, the display is currently at 20 min, which is 10 min before sleep is involked. In addition, I have changed the device properties for the NIC not to use Power Options.

lrenard said:

WebMattR said:

Have you examined the BIOS? Given that you knocked off the first few things on my list, I'd check in there for power saving options?

No, I did not check the BIOS for power saving for the NIC. I do have the Wake-on-LAN enabled in the BIOS; so, thank you. I will give that a go and let you know.

lrenard said:

No, I did not check the BIOS for power saving for the NIC. I do have the Wake-on-LAN enabled in the BIOS; so, thank you. I will give that a go and let you know.

I checked the BIOS. It is has the most current version and I am not able to find any related power saving options. Thank you. It was worth a shot.