E6400 LAN Disconnect

I'm having an issue with my E6400 running on Vista x86. Whenever I leave the computer for a period of time and the monitor turns off by itself, it seems like my network connection gets disconnected. This only happens on Ethernet and never on wireless. After I come back to the computer, all my network applications are disconnected and I can see my network icon in the system tray flash from disconnect to connected again. Is anyone else having the same issue and fixed it? I already checking all the power options in Vista and tried updating drivers from Intel and Dell.

 

Is this on mains or battery power? Dell ControlPoint contains an option for slowing (but not disconnecting) the network link to save power while on battery.

John

 

It's happened when I'm connected to the power outlet. I did a fresh install of Vista and don't have Dell ControlPoint installed.

 

Does the problem happen with one router or with more than one?

If only one router then I would check the settings to see if it has a very short lease time.

John

 

It's happened at multiple places.

 

OK. We can't blame the router.

Have you looked at the network card properties in Device Manager? I can see this in my (XP) version of the driver:

If I understand you correctly, your computer is not actually entering standby, but maybe this is work a try. There is also a setting for Wake on LAN in the BIOS.

John

 

This is the same issue I'm having and posted about several weeks ago.

I tried many things, but nothing seemed to stop it. I've chalked it up to being less of a problem and more of a "power saving feature" I can't turn off.

Wireless works just fine, it's only on wired Ethernet that disconnects after sitting idle for awhile. All my internet connected apps are disconnected when I come back and the network icon goes from an X (disconnected) to a world (connected).

The computer is NOT in standby or hibernate. I simply leave the computer in the ON state with some apps open.

There are no options in Dell Control Point, the Intel Driver window (through device manager) OR in the BIOS. The device simply turns off while the computer is in an idle state, and turns back on when I move the mouse.

 

Really no power saving option in device manager? I can see "reduce link speed while on battery..." (Win7).

 

I had this same option with XP, Vista and Win7 on different E6400's. Some do it and others don't. I still cannot find the link or software that causes it.