computer does not recognize ethernet cable

I received a notice that work would be done in my area April 25, 2014.  On the morning of April 25, I rebooted the cable modem and wireless router.  My laptop works fine via wireless.  My desktop does not recognize the ethernet cable.  I tried a new cable, same result.  I rebooted everything, same result.  My desktop is a 2009 Dell Inspiron 546 Minitower, Windows 7 Hme Premium, with integrated 10/100 ethernet. 

Was anything changed in the work that was done on the cable that would have caused my integrated eithernet to fail? Do you have any suggestions of what to try next?  I ordered a PCI network card to try because it was not very expensive, and it has not arrived yet.