network connectivity issues

[yawnmoth]

I have a ThinkPad R40 (2681-CU1) that seems to have a few networking problems.

1. The RJ45 plug doesn't work. Not even the light comes on unless I hold the cable that's being plugged into it at an odd angle. I assume this to be a mother board (or planar, as I guess IBM calls it) problem and as such, isn't really the reason I'm making this post.
2. The wireless minipci card that I purchased for it doesn't work. Or rather, it stopped working. Prior to reformating, I'd get so-called blue screens of death on a somewhat periodic basis. After reformating, I get them about five minutes after having turned the computer on. I've since taken the card out. Whether or not this is a motherboard problem or a problem with the minipci card, itself, is something I can't say.
3. PCMCIA cards have sporadic performance. I've tried it with two - a D-Link Express EtherNetwork (DFE-690TXD; RJ45 cables plug into it) and a D-Link 802.11b wireless card (which I've currently misplaced) - and I get the same results with each one. Basically, they disconnect rather frequently. The only way to remedy these disconnects is to eject the PCMCIA card and plug it back in. The fact that the mouse cursor starts to move really slowly is what first clues me in to this problem. Ejecting the card makes the mouse cursor move at the usual speed. Plugging the card back in will usually get it working again (with the usual mouse speed), but not always. Just now, in fact, I've tried unplugging and replugging back in three times to no avail. I'm using the latest drivers for both cards, too.

The third bullet is the reason for my post. Has anyone experienced this and does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem is? I have a suspicion it may be another motherboard problem, but it may also be the case (atleast I hope it is, heh) that I'm just trigger happy in lableing stuff as motherboard problems.

[SeanM]

1. Yep.

2 & 3. I'm going to optimistically say virus/trojan/spyware. What do you scan with?

[a31pguy]

sounds like a well travelled laptop.
On the RJ-45 - verify the pins in there aren't bent. One probably is.

On the wirless card. Try opening up the Mini-pci cover and reseating the cards. Also verify that you have the metal mini-pci retention clip in place. Verify that it's tightly snapped in. Reinstall the drivers.

You also might want to verify the case screws are tight. I have a few buddies who have well worn thinkpads which sometimes the components loosen up over time. However - the exception rather than the rule. Your mileage may vary.

On that last one, try anti-spyware. Last one we did that had that problem was most certainly spyware. Microsoft makes a good one that's in beta. Spybot search and destroy 1.4 is also very good. Also checkout HijackThis and CWShredder. It's either spyware or you have some serious corruption of the registry and DLLs. In the later case - try an OS reinstall/fix and/or a new hard drive.

You might want to look at some of the tools on
http://www.sysinternals.com

[yawnmoth]

I'll try adjusting the Mini-PC card.

As for everything else - given that I had these problems both before and immediatly after a reformat, I'm very confident the problem has nothing to do with viruses or spyware.

Sorry for not mentioning that in the third bullet.

[a31pguy]

On the pcmcia card - what OS are you running and have you installed the IBM chipset INF files for your computer?