Internal NIC icon disappears in Windows Device Manager

[etherburn]

My Internal NIC card icon disappears in the Device Manager and it seems like my NIC card was not installed. But when I plug in a CAT 5 cable it reappears again. How do I fix this?
Running Windows XP Pro.......

[christopher_wolf]

Well, the network card usually powers down when it doesn't detect a live connection. As soon as you plug it in, it should be active.

[ThinkSlim]

T60 machines ship with one of the ethernet properties The DSPD (Deep Smart Power Down) function enabled.
This can be disabled by going to device manager --Open property of 'Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection' ...Click Advanced tab--- Select 'Deep Smart Power Down' at 'Property' window, and change the Value to 'Disabled' ...Click 'OK' button.
This will allow you to see the ethernet device listed in device manager or in network connectins with or with out an ethernet cable attached .