Laptop freezes when network cable plugged in

Problem description:

The laptop freezes when network cable plugged in. After you hard power down and restart the laptop, it works fine until the network cable plugged in again.

Possible cause:

1. Defective network cable.
2. Corrupted software.
3. Motherboard failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

1. Try another network cable. Maybe your cable is defective and has to be replaced.

2. Try reinstalling the network adapter driver. The driver can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

3. If reinstalling the network driver doesn’t help, try reinstalling the operating system from scratch. Back up personal files and reinstall the operating system from the recovery disc or installation CD. Download and install the network adapter driver if it’s missing. Test the laptop again.

4. If you still experiencing the same problem even after reinstalling the operating system, most likely this is the motherboard failure. In most laptop the network port is soldered directly to the motherboard. If that’s the case, you’ll have to replace the motherboard.

Alternatively, you can try using the laptop with a PCMCIA network card. Plug this card into the available PC slot and get a new network port instead.