Having a networking issue at home...

Computer is on, everything working fine. Shutdown.

Computer boots, no IP. Nic lights are solid. ipconfig tells me the media is disconnected.

Must either reboot router and /renew or move cable to other nic and will get IP and work. Shutdown. Repeat.

I bet your switch/router is the one failing.

Bad cable?
Loose connector?
Bad driver?

I'd bet on the router failing.  The symptoms you describe sound like what happens on a managed switch when the switch port is disabled - connection lights indicate it's ok, but nothing works.  Maybe you've got it plugged into a port that has a switch to make it a crossover?

What Ward meant to say instead of nothing is "try upgrading the firmware on the router".

Err, apologies, Ward.  I confused you with Wayne.

Thanks for the suggestions.

masturbation is the primary cause of nic failure.