This is the default when the adapter can not negotiate a setting or somehow it was reprogramed from auto to a fixed setting. My first guess would be it can not negotiate a setting. Since you have tried different cables and connected them to different ports then the only thing in common is the ethernet adapter on the PC itself. I had several fail in the past.

Let us know what you find out.

FYI, finally got my Ethernet connection issue resolved, so here's the feedback. A full, clean upgrade to fc4 was done as a next step. Ethernet connections continued to fail from a "cold" Linux boot. In fact during the installation process, I got a message saying the network wasn't connecting. This seems to eliminate any possible Linux configuration issue. The only remaining software issue was whether windows was somehow messing with Linux. This seems to me to be a very remote possibility as the two systems had played nicely with each other for over a year. Also, I haven't done any significant change to the windows system in months.

So everything indicated a hardware problem. First, I disabled the router and connected the DSL modem directly to the box. This still didn't work, so I got a new NIC and stuck it in an open slot. I fully expected this to resolve the problem, since I knew the DSL modem was working (at least with the PC and eMac). I was shocked when it didn't work!

Now previously, I had done an orderly shutdown of everything to reset the modem and router and then an orderly reboot, but this had no effect. Finally, I called SBC, my DSL provider and asked for tech support. They remotely tested the modem and it was OK. Then they asked me to do another reset, but to totally pull the plugs on the modem and router and wait 20 seconds before restarting. Additionally, they did some resetting on their end and gave me new/updated info on DNS server addresses. After this, everything worked perfectly. I'm embarrassed that I didn't think to pull the plugs when I started trouble-shooting! It may be possible that the entire issue started on SBC's side and that their reset and new DNS addresses resolved it, but I'll never know. To their credit, I got through to a good tech person quickly, and she was familiar with Mac and PC and had me back up in about 15 minutes. Thanks again for all your help.

Ron