Thinkpads Forum

On my W520, (Windows 7 Pro 64-bit) I have Location Profile "Office" with Ethernet and Wireless LAN (1 saved Port).
I like to use my Gigabit LAN connection when I am at home/office.
Problem: after Hibernate or Shut Down, the cable connection malfunctions (defaults back to Wireless)
Diagnosis: if I open Access Connections, and click on the "other connections", I get Error Message: "Please plug in Ethernet cable"
If instead I now go to Control Panel > Network & Sharing center > Change Adapter Settings I see the LAN Icon as "Enabled"
If I go to Properties, and 'Diagnose' I get told to "Plug an Ethernet Cable into the Network Adapter"
BUT I ALREADY HAVE A CABLE PLUGGED IN (sorry for shouting, it's frustrating . . . )
So now I right click the LAN Icon, and select 'Disable' - now Icon now shows "Disabled".
Now I again right click the LAN Icon, and select 'Enable' - now Icon shows the name of my LAN, and the Green LAN connection in the Start-up bar (bottom right of screen).
That's great, except when I close down or hibernate, next time I must go through the same hassle.
QUESTION: How do I ensure that the Network Connection recognizes the Ethernet Cable is connected, and defaults to the cable-LAN when the PC is connected ??
Any help will be GREATLY appreciated - Thanks in advance! = John

I haven't had this problem myself, but I'm wondering whether it could be a glitch in a power management setting. The Ethernet port is on the PCI bus; in Power Manager / Global Power Settings / Advanced options (restart required), there's an option to disable power management of the PCI bus.

The other thing that comes to mind is whether you're connected to a *switch* that is turning off its port to save power and the network switch doesn't realize the computer is back up. But I think you're saying that this is happening in multiple locations, so I'd hold off on that.

Uninstall Access Connections and uninstall all the profiles with it. Now go into Windows 7 wireless network management and delete all the profiles in there (if any). Shut down.

Plug in an ethernet cable and start up. Windows 7 should be connected to the internet now. If not, it was never an Access Connections problem.

Now install Access Connections and set up a Default Wired Profile. All of this should work.

Now unplug the ethernet cable and set up your Wireless Profile. You now have two Access Connections profiles and both should work. .... JDH

Very thankful for the answers of davidhbrown and jdhurst.
Just out on a business trip - will report results as soon as I get back - middle November.
Regards = John