ethernet connection intermittently disconnects and reconnects

Does another laptop or PC the same problem?
can you change the network cable?

I tried changing the cable at the switch side as well as the desk side but still the same behavior. I didn't have any trouble with other PCs though. I am trying a USB ethernet connection as well to see how that behaves.

What type of network card are you using?

Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection

>  I didn't have any trouble with other PCs though
Did the other PCs have Gigabit NICs?

> I tried changing the cable at the switch side as well as the desk side but still the same behavior.
I assume you mean you've tried different patch cables at both ends, but continue to use the same infrastructure/building cable?  How long is that cable run, and what type/grade cable and terminators are you using?

Are the switch ports and the NIC set to Autonegotiate Speed and Duplex?

Is the switch managed?  (Any log messages from the switch?)
Any system event log messages when you disconnect reconnect?  (Well, any beyond just the message that it disconnected/reconnected?)

I have had recent troubles with Fast Ethernet equipment not working well with Gigabit NICs.
Just a thought.  I know they're "compatible", but...

Aaron- I did try a restore to a day before it started happening, but it continued. The connection dropping is just during normal sessions. No locking actions anything like that is occurring. Just in the middle of editing an Office document or something. Also, I have the disabled the wireless just now to see how that goes though I have switching enabled in BIOS so they are not active simultaneously.

Razmus- I did try a laptop of the same model as mine without any issue. I just tried separate patch cables at each end but in the same desk in the same building, yes. I am using CAT 5e cabling. I am not sure about terminators though. I did try switching from Autonegotiate to full 1 GB as well on the laptop but not the switch if that is possible there. I do not have any log entries on the laptop besides the connection status changes. I will have to check the switch logs to see if anything is there. I will try that diagnostic tool!

The alternate laptop did connect at gigabit speeds as well as my problematic one. I will try ensuring the switch and my laptop are set to 100/Full and see what happens.

Ok so a couple of hours later after making the change to 100/FULL adjustment to my laptop and the switch port I am using no disconnections have happened. I lost internet at the last moment actually, but not a total disconnection, just the yield symbol over the connection.  And while there are no collisions logged on the switch port since doing this, there are...

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I'm leaning towards a physical layer problem.

I guess it'd be too much to ask that one of the RJ45 connectors in the NIC is bent or out of alignment, or otherwise not making a consistently good connection?

If you've eliminated the cables, patch panels, and switch ports... that just leaves the very real possibility that the NIC is physically failing.

well I did try a USB NIC bypassing the onboard one here as well. That one had the same behavior as well. When I get a chance I will try sitting an entirely different desk though. I tried a  different laptop at my desk, but I have not moved to another desk.

Hi nobus, I don't have an option to configure my wired connection status there. But I am having this issue plugged in to power as I actively use the laptop.

Also, I plugged into the wired connection I have at home last night and didn't experience any trouble issues. I will try an alternate connection here in the office today and see how that goes.

So I haven't had a single disconnection today and I did switch ports on the switch itself that leads to my desk. But I did that before as well with no improvement. I need to wait another couple days to be certain though I think. I am not sure what would be a solution in this case though since this port change didn't help the first time?

take your time; no problem

glad to here that your problem is solved,
//
you can pray for all how participate to get awarded with plenty of points in future :)
and give the points to the one who has zero points this month

good luck

Is that acceptable practice if the post wasn't the actual solution though? I wouldn't want to confuse anyone who wants to use this post in the future

There is good information here for troubleshooting... List multiple answers then list yours as the solution and then assists for the comments that could help people trouble shoot. Up to you, this is just what I think I would do.

ahhh ok, that sounds good to me. Thanks!!

My problem stopped after changing switch ports even though I had tried that earlier as well. I am awarding points to all the great steps that can be taken when this problem comes along and marking my final action as the best answer.