MySql error 2003. Mysql connection fails on localhost as soon as ethernet cable is unplugged

[mark stephen]

Hello all

Please help me with this strange issue. I am on win xp machine and running mysql version 5.5.16. It works all fine, but as soon as i unplug my ethernet cable, the next time a connection to mysql server cant be established. mysql monitor fails, phpmyadmin fails and so do all the other applicaitons.

Server does indeed keep ruuning as service and it keeps on listening on default port 3306 (as shown by netstat/a command). yet nothing can establish a connection to it in this unplugged state of ethernet. I tried telnetting, it fails too in ethernet unplugged state otherwise it works fine as well. I plug the cable in, and all starts working again.

Localhost entries are correct in Host file. Ping to localhost also works, in both ethernet plugged and unplugged state. i have tried following already with no avail:

1- installing loopback adaptor
2- repairing tcp/ip stack
3- setting ethernet's ip etc manually
4- restarting pc, restarting mysql service

Pc details are following:
os = winxp service pack 3
machine = toshiba satellite
ethernet = realtek , also wireless lan, which is currently disabled

Please help me with this as this leaves me in total darkness with no clue.

thanks