My internet would be fine for 10-15 minutes, then the pages would stop loading (This Page Cannot Be DISPLAYED message), although when I checked network connections, the everything was apparantly "connected". I would not be able to get on the internet again until I restarted the computer, then I'd get another 15 minutes, and the process repeats.
So I browsed around here and found a person with a similar problem that turned out to be caused by a virus. I've scanned and everything (though have yet to put up logs), but nothing has shown up. I don't think that's the problem.
There is hardly any dust inside the computer, so I don't think that's the problem.

So finally, it was suggested that the NIC needed to be replaced (my computer is a WINDOWS XP Dell from 2002, System 2). I have done that, but before I can FIND out if that fixed the problem, I need to actually at least get a connection! So my question is: why does the connection for the new card (D-Link DFE-530TX + PCI fast ethernet...) display "network cable is unplugged"? I have also a connection for Intel(R) Pro/100 VE Network, and this is apparantly "connected", but like before, I still can't get on the internet with this one.
I've tried disconnecting the Intel connection to get the D-link (the new card) on, but there is still "network cable is unplugged". How to I get it to connect? And what is Walk-On LAN (there is a cable for this for the card that I did not connect because I didn't see a place for it on the motherboard)? Could the WOL be the problem? I have no clue.I would think it is a heat problem. Some NICs just get too hot.
Turn off the powr, OPEN the case, cool down the chip on the NIC. A small bit of alcohol will do, put just on the chip, not the other components.Wwait a bit for the alcohol to evaporate. Turn ythe system on again and use a strop watch to time how long it TAKES. If cooling the NIC chip makes it better, you have an idea of what to do next.Also check the power management setting in the NIC.