Thank you for your prompt reply.
Ok, seems I'm making progress.
From the network connections page it shows the LAN as connected. If I pull the wire out it obviously shows as disconnected.
If I plug the cable back in promptly, say within a few seconds the cable shows up as disconnected, then connected and the net connection carries on as usual.
If the cable is unplugged for say longer than 30 seconds, plugging in the cable does nothing. It will continue to show the LAN cable as unplugged.
HOWEVER.... if I right click on the LAN icon, DISABLE the LAN then right click and ENABLE the LAN it seems to re-validate the connection and shows it as connected.
So, how to make this happen every time WITHOUT me having to go into setting and turn things on and off manually.
Cheers,
teecherk6