Wired connection only connects on 1 out 3 IDs on laptop. Others say cable unplugged.

[jxpontig]

Dell Vostro laptop running XP with a Realtek network card connected to a peer to peer network (7 pcs) with a Netgear router providing internet . The laptop has 3 userids defined (one for the main user and two others that are used less than once a year). For some reason I can only enable the wired network connection from one of the IDs (and not the one for the main user). The other two show cable unplugged when try to enable the connection. (The one that does work shows cable unplugged momentarily on enable but then enables with a double click). Upgraded to latest Realtek driver but same result. Also if swap cable same result so it looks like a software issue. All 3 IDs work fine on wireless, but as location is some way from router wireless signal is low so this is not an ideal workaround. Any ideas?