Annoying Network Problem

[clevoir]

Help !!
I have a Shuttle SV24 and another PC networked together, I am using the Realtech NIC on the motherboard of the SV24, and a SMC NIC in the other machine.

I am using a crossover cable (I have run a CAT5 cable between each PC on to which each end is installed a RJ45 socket, one PC is connected to the socket using a crossover cable and the other PC by a straight cable, one PC is running XP Home, the other XP Pro

Generally things are fine, but every now and then I keep getting "The Network Cable is disconnected" messages and the network crashed. Other times I get a yellow triangle come up on the task bar, which just disappears if you click on it.

I have triple checked all connections, and have remade the connections to the RJ45 sockets twice, and they test out OK with a multimeter.

I have also taken both network adapters off Autosense, and put them on 100baseTX Full Duplex, but the problem still persists.

Any further ideas would be appreciated, it's getting difficult to stream DiVX over the network.

The power supply is only a cheap 400W model, I have a nagging throught that lack of power may be a problem, but everything else seems to be OK

[Greenstead]

When you get the message "The Network Cable is disconnected" is usually means just that (but not always). I would suggest you buy a manufactured cross over cable with cross over stamped on it. Of course it could also be iffy sockets on the NICs.

[clevoir]

The Crossover Over Cable and The Straight Cable are manufactuered. The link between PC's has been carried out using Cat5e cable, and the RJ45 sockets are made by AMP. I also used a proper Krone IDC tool to make the connections, and tested them with a multimeter for continuity and short circuits.

I have checked the connections time and time again, and cannot see anything wrong, I have even used a torch to check all connectors for bend pins, but with no sucess.

Help

[Greenstead]

Just to reiterate, almost always this message does mean a cable has lost continuity somehow. When I suggested a manufactured cable I meant a pre-made cable, not home made or made by a shop.

If you are using XP, then SP1 introduced a bug which gives this error then a PC is brought out of hibernation.

Another possibility, Realtek NICs in PCI slot 1 are known to have an IRQ conflict (with some display drivers I believe). I'm not sure that would apply to a motherboard mounted connection but maybe you can check for IRQ conflicts or sharing.

Apart from this I don't know other reasons. If you think it may be a power supply problem maybe you could test it by loading the supply. Maybe a forum specialising in PC building might get you other feedback.

Good Luck.