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View Full Version : Am I using the right network cable?


simon44
02-06-2005, 17:50
I recently had to replace the ethernet cable to connect my NTL cable Modem to my PC. I bought this lead from maplins:RJ45 UTP Patch Lead. When I plug the lead into my PC and then modem, there is no connection light on the modem or on the NIC. So im not sure if I've got the right lead. I have another ethernet cable that I am using at the moment, but this is a 20M cable and isnt suitable for connecting the modem and PC. Do i need a different lead or is something wrong?

P.S. the network connection IS enabled.

Chris
02-06-2005, 17:54
You need to connect the lead up with both PC and modem powered off. Then power up the modem, let the lights settle down, then power up the PC. Did you do all that?

Patch lead is correct, the other kind is Crossover lead but you don't want that.

Racingdick
02-06-2005, 17:54
did u buy a cross over cable ?
ie one for connecting 2 pc's together

simon44
02-06-2005, 17:56
No its a straight though cable for sure, I checked the wire colours on the plugs. I didnt realised I had to power off the PC and Modem, I normally leave them on when swapping network cables

Chris
02-06-2005, 17:57
:welcome: to the forum, by the way.

Paul K
02-06-2005, 17:59
No its a straight though cable for sure, I checked the wire colours on the plugs. I didnt realised I had to power off the PC and Modem, I normally leave them on when swapping network cablesAlways best to power them off as it takes a lot of variables out of the situation :) If it fails to work can you use the 20m cable just to verify wether or not you might have a damaged new cable?

Racingdick
02-06-2005, 17:59
usually u'd be ok too, but u never know what strange things happen

simon44
02-06-2005, 18:06
No luck. I powered off the PC and modem then attached the new cable and still no connection lights. The 20m cable still works. Ive resorted to using the USB cable. Are there any significant differences between the USB and ethernet connections? Its dam annoying this, using to a USB port when theres a perfectly good NIC. I had this problem with an ethernet cable from maplins before, maybe these cables just dont like me.

Paul K
02-06-2005, 18:07
Can you not just use the 20m cable till you get a working patch lead?

Racingdick
02-06-2005, 18:12
quite poss its the cable then
as for usb v's enet all depends what pc u have, win98 will suffer with reduced system resources etc.

Just out of curiosity what happened to ur old cable?

simon44
02-06-2005, 18:16
quite poss its the cable then
as for usb v's enet all depends what pc u have, win98 will suffer with reduced system resources etc.

Im running XP

Just out of curiosity what happened to ur old cable?

The catch on the plug broke, so the lead wouldnt click into the modem.

I guess I'll get a cable from a different shop and try that. Does it matter about UTP / STP?

Racingdick
02-06-2005, 18:19
if ur in a position to, I'd get one of each.. though im unsure if they would but cs may be able to send u a replacement one..

simon44
02-06-2005, 18:23
if ur in a position to, I'd get one of each.. though im unsure if they would but cs may be able to send u a replacement one..

NTL customer services?

Paul K
02-06-2005, 18:24
Cat5 or Cat5e UTP patch cable should be fine. See if they will check to make sure it works though, just in case ;)

Racingdick
02-06-2005, 18:30
Simon, check ur private messages..

simon44
02-06-2005, 18:52
Well check this out. I ran some bandwidth tests with the USB cable and got the following results:

bandwidthplace.com
1.2Mb/s
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
995Kb/s
1014Kb/s
992Kb/s

I connected the 2om ethernet cable again and got the following results:

Bandwidth place
1.7 Mb/s
PC Pit Stop
1880 Kb/s
1880 Kb/s
1880 Kb/s

So I guess I'll stick with ethernet for now :)

Paul K
02-06-2005, 18:55
So I guess I'll stick with ethernet for now :)
At least the 20m cable is coming in handy, always useful to have a spare ethernet cable ;)

SMHarman
02-06-2005, 19:03
Does not matter on a SACM whether it is straight or crossover.

Racingdick
02-06-2005, 19:12
CM are only straight through, the only device that uses a crossover is one of the older pace set top boxes

JohnHorb
02-06-2005, 19:42
Some SACMs at least are auto, so will accept either. Not sure that applies to all models.

XFS03
04-06-2005, 14:58
CM are only straight through, the only device that uses a crossover is one of the older pace set top boxesI have an ntl:home 120 SACM. It can use a straight or cross-over cable.