Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Yes, only 4 wires are used, pins 1,2,3 and 6 on the connector. Have a look at Robin Walkers site for information on duplex settings. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.../ethernet.html

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Well it's connected through the faulty cable to my linksys router, and I definately get a performance drop with anything above 10mps half duplex and pinging some sites I get packet loss too.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

If he's swapped some wires over then perhaps he's used two that are not twisted together as a pair. This will have all sorts of horrible effects including crosstalk between your up and down pair. I'd replace the cable and, while your at it, encase it in some nylon tubing - like they use for pneumatics.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

I'm going to ask my dumb question again, but at the road end of your drive is a little black thingy in the road. They attach a coax to that and then run it up the drive to the house, it goes to the grey box on the outside wall, then inside to a cream box then onto a SACM/STB.

Why do you have Cat5 running up your driveway. That would require the SACM to be at the road end of your drive. How would it then be powered etc?

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

It runs across the side of my house, above the drive, how they damaged it I don't know, maybe they rested something heavy upon it.

It then goes up two stories to a converted loft.