[darkwing104]

Most likely it's the ISP...

[faq]

Maybe the problem is with your modem or router. Try turning them off for a couple minutes and turning back on.

[beaubazzoo]

I have had that problem for years with XP professional and I just ignore it

[ShadowAce]

[Turbopilot]

How are you connected - directly into a cable modem, or through a router? If the cables are physically in place, and you still get a “disconnected cable” error, it’s possibly a hardware problem with the device on the other end of the Ethernet cable from your computer, so that your computer no longer sees that it is plugged into a network device.

If you haven’t already, try unplugging any devices between your computer and the outside world (e.g. your cable modem and router if you have one) for two minutes, then plugging them back in and letting them power up. If that doesn’t work (and it couldn’t hurt to try to install new drivers for your network card, as you suggested, as well), see if you can borrow a different router or cable modem from somewhere and check whether your connection works with different hardware.

[papasmurf]

In order to narrow down the cause and eliminate the issue from hardware, software, or malware, you can start at the event viewer. (Start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Event Viewer)

You should have 4 Sections...Application, Security, Systems, Internet Explorer. Start in the Applications folder and look for the columns labeled "Source" and "Event". Make note of the source name and event ID's, and then navigate to EventID.net

Now, enter the info in the search boxes and follow up on the return, if any. There are also other resources listed beneath the return.

Next, have you checked your device manager for anomalies? (Right click on My Computer>Properties>Hardware>Device Manager. Anything with a red "NO" circle or yellow exclamation mark is needing attention.

Next, have you checked in your Add/Remove Programs to see if anything has been installed that you do not recognize? (Start>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs)

Have you tried "System Restore? (Start>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore)

If you've done all that and followed up on the results, if any, and still have no luck, you might want to start looking at the possibility of your machine having been compromised.

[Gone_Postal]

if you use a router.....reboot it.
If not reboot the modem unplug it for about a minute then plug it back in and turn it on