Ethernet cable not plugged in

On a 2.16 GHz Intel core 2 duo, running OS 10.5.6 with 2 GB RAM, model "imac 5,1"
This is one of 10 identical machines in a university lab. No updates or changes of any kind have been implemented. One day, it stops accessing the Ethernet network. The Network preferences say "cable not plugged in" when it clearly is.
I did a restart, zapped PRAM, unplugged it and reset the whatever it is that resets, ran permission repairs, all to no avail.
When I swap cables with the machine next to it, the problem stays with this particular computer. In other words, the cable and the network port are not the problem.
I hauled it down to the nearest Genius Bar where, of course, the Ethernet mounted instantly. I took it home, plugged it into my cable modem, and still got the "cable is unplugged" message. This despite the fact that my home iMac is using that same cable for internet.
Brought it back to the lab, and tried plugging it into 3 different ports, using 3 different cables. "Cable is unplugged."
A Google search on the topic shows a fair number of people with the same problem, but no solutions. And I am worried because a 2nd computer started displaying the same symptoms. That one responded to my basic ministrations, but I'm concerned that this is an impending problem for all 10 of these machines.
What can I try?
Thanks!

Aloha!
One the one of ten...
Try Resetting the SMC
Carolyn

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Ethernet cable not plugged in? But it's right there!

My MacBook Pro is insisting that the ethernet cable isn't plugged in. Now, I know the cable is good and the port on the switch is good because they work with my network printer. If I create a new location in Network Preferences (as suggested here http://ryanshelloworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/ethernet-cable-not-plugged-in.html) it works, but only at 10 Mbps (rather than gigabit) and when I unplug the cable and plug it back in it loses it again.
Any ideas on what to do next?

Try a new cable. Although it works on another device Macs are picky about the quality of the line.

Says ethernet cable not plugged in when it is?

Hi,
This is my first time using this discussion board, but I have a question that has puzzled me and my technical help department at my school.
My computer [a macbok] is connected to the internet [from the computer to a phone jack in the wall] with an ethernet cable. Its been working fine for almost a week, but randomly stopped working last night. After lots of testing, the problem is quite obviously with my computer, which is brand new!
Whenever I plug my ethernet cable in, the network menu under system preferences tells me "The cable for Built-in Ethernet is not plugged in". I have just discovered that it occasionally works if I manually hold the cable in the plug in the computer and press down hard.
Is there some way that something could be stuck in the ethernet plug-in thing on my computer that could be preventing it from connecting to the cable like it used to? Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? My computer is still under warranty, but I am currently living in another country from home, so it would be a pain to have to get a new one or get mine fixed!
Thanks,
Mary.

couple of things to try before you call tech support or go to an apple store... sounds like the connection between the ethernet cable and your macbook is faulty. this could be a hardware problem with the macbook, but it could also be a faulty ethernet cable. the ethernet jack could be failing.
try using someone else's ethernet cable and seeing if this connection problem persists.
also, look inside the ethernet jack on your macbook. there should be 8 small copper contact points. these should be parallel. if one is bent or they don't look parallel, then that would make the connection unstable/faulty.
good luck!

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At this point, before sending it back, I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:
Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
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After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
Power-up your computer(s).
In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

Bluberry iMac Ethernet Cable Not Plugged in???

I am trying to connect a slot loading 350 mhz imac to the internet through the built-in ethernet for a friend that needs it, but the network status pane (OSX.3 Panther) keeps saying the ethernet cable is not plugged in. I've tried several different Cat 5 ethernet cables and it still says this, so we can't connect to the isp (with cable modem). It also says the internal modem is not working, I get the red light next to it and the built-in ethernet buttons in Network status. I've tried direct connections to two different external cable modems, and three different ethernet cables, but I think the problem is a software issue that needs correcting.
I've tried zapping the PRAM, and resetting the nv-ram, but to no avail (as suggested by other posts I've come across). I ran Tech Tool 4 on it and the Network test PASSED.
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HI Klaus
Thanks for the reply. The router seems to be working, since when I connect it to my laptop (old iBook) via ethernet cable, no problems getting internet.
I also read that to test the card and/or cable I should connect the 2 computers together and turn on file sharing. I did this and was not able to share files. I don't know if that points to the ethernet card/cable or to incompetence on my part...
But I also tried file sharing via Airport card and that worked fine, so I think I have file sharing set up properly.

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I've got a G5, and I'm using a DSL modem (with 1 ethernet port) and a perfectly functional ethernet cable that is plugged in. Yet I can't connect to the internet, and according to the network status, the ethernet cable is not plugged in. Any help is appreciated.

I've got a G5, and I'm using a DSL modem (with 1
ethernet port) and a perfectly functional ethernet
cable that is plugged in. Yet I can't connect to the
internet, and according to the network status, the
ethernet cable is not plugged in. Any help is
appreciated.
There are only three things which could be wrong.
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3 the Mac has a bad ethernet port, a bad ethernet controller chip, or is not properly connected.
I'd verify that the cable has a good connection, first thing. The best way is to unplug it (at both ends) and then plug it back in.
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I'd plug the Mac into the friend's local net, using the friend's cable; if that works, the problem isn't on the Mac. If it doesn't, I'd take the Mac over to a repair shop or would get a wireless card (if not installed already) and a wireless router and connect wirelessly. Be advised that the ethernet port on an iMac is built into the motherboard, and replacing/repairing that port will require a motherboard swap and will be expensive if you're not still under warranty or AppleCare.
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My PowerBook g4 says it's connected to the Internet and the Ethernet cable's plugged in, but every time I open Safari it says I'm not connected. What can I do to get Safari to get online?

My PowerBook g4 says it's connected to the Internet and the Ethernet cable's plugged in, but every time I open Safari it says I'm not connected. What can I do to get Safari to get online?
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Internet Quick Assist:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1144?viewlocale=en_US
Troubleshooting internet settings:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1714?viewlocale=en_US
As for the printer problem, is this a new problem?
Try an SMU reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1939?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1436
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Additional Information:
iMac
1TB HDD
3GB RAM

I suspect that it's busy trying to mount a network file system of some type.
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Hi,
Try re-setting the PRAM.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
or, PMU Reset
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=95037
Regards,
Dave

I just bought an AirPort express. Currently I have a qwest wired router plugged into the back of my computer via an ethernet cable. Can I just unplug the ethernet cable and plug it into the AirPort express, then use the setup utility?

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Hello Wyodor,
thanks for your reply on my question.
You are wright the index file is 308 KB.
And offcourse that I delete my files and documents is not an Iweb problem, but because my English is not that good, that I thougt I try to tell the whole story, and hope people can read trough the lines.
Why I didn't use Iweb to upload to the server is because the server company recommanded to use file zilla. And I am a nobody with this kind of things, so I did exactly what they tell me to do.
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Ethernet cable not plugged in

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