"Robert M. Lincoln" wrote in message
...

Is there a way to "see" each machine once I plug in the network cable
without rebooting one or both machines?

I wonder if when you connect without rebooting the laptop doesn't get an IP
address. Perhaps you could see what IP address it has when you see the
problem. I suspect that when your laptop boots (disconnected) it assigns
itself an IP address that your router isn't happy with.

You coud try this....

Switch off laptop.
Physically connect to the router
Boot up
Record the IP address the router gives you
Change setting to use a static IP the same as the one the router gave you.