Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

After repaving the drive it seems the ethernet cable going up the side of the house is damaged, the router light is on and flashing (vigourously) but it cannot recieve an ip address (DHCP). I'm assuming I'll have to check the cable for loose spots and maybe replace it. Any tips?

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Tell NTL you paved it ages ago and the line has only just failed?
Have you rang CS to see if there is a problem their end?

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Yes, I had just assumed it was them without thoroughly checking - it's defiantely that cable, I'm accessing it downstairs through the set-top box (through router) now.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

and why should ntl pay for this when their is no indication that it is their problem?! downquark did the damage when he paved the drive, so he should pay for the repairs.

If i run into a tree, i don't go back to rover and try to get them to repair it at considerable cost to them, the same situation applies here. :rolleyes:

MB

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

I don't think they would have done it anyway - their engineer installed it over a year ago.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Don't worry I was only kidding about getting NTL to replace it as they probably wouldn't since they would quite rightly say it was damaged during the paving.
Can you not run new ethernet cable upstairs Downquark or maybe it's time for wireless?

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

No it's ok - I was just wondering if there were any pearls of wisdom like - well you can see if the connection is stable by......... (just an example)

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Think StuartBe might be able to tell you about networking LOL Must be a way of testing connection strength, stability etc

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Sounds like you've pinced the cable. Could be o/c or two wires s/c. s/c is easier to test (if you have a multimeter). Just disconnect both ends and then at one end try various permutations to see if any pins are shorted. Checking for o/c is harder. If you have a spare socket, you could wire it to wrap back the connections, allowing you to test for o/c from just one end.

Alternatively try taking the upstairs comp downstairs and plugging it directly into the router, just to prove that it is the outside cable thats duff. If so, then replace the cable without worrying about testing it. :D

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Thanks - I've checked it with my laptop and it works fine down here.

I think i will plug it in to my pc (pc off but ethernet active) upstairs have the router downstair and watch the activity light, currently it flickers violently even when the connection is dead, if I can get it to a constant I guess I've almost repaired it.

Will get the old ladder out tomorrow.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Right, an engineer repaired it by rewiring around the broken connections in the cable - IE the cable hasn't been replaced, he fixed number 4,6 etc.

Does this mean I've lost full duplexing as I seem to get packet loss unless I set it to force half-duplex
edit Make that 10mb half duplex - I'm not particulary bothered about the loss of speed, I just want confirmation on my theory.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

ahhh i thought thought the crap Rover produced were supposed to be cars. Thanks for clarifying that they are in fact trees. :D

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

But if NTL had fitted it in a green trunk in the first place the problem would not exist. Now why are they runnin ether up the drive not coax? When has ether ever been NTLs problem. Their network support stops at the SACM / STB?

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

Fair enough, but he did reguardless, the first installation went swimmingly only took him half an hour. But that was a year ago.

So with half the wire working I only get half duplex - yes/no. I have no training in this thing I'm just going off common sense.

Re: Semi-broken Ethernet cable
 

I believe a Cat5 cable has 8 wires, only 4 of which are actually used (you can get "ethernet doublers" to use a single cable for two RJ45 outlets). The engineer has presumably used spare good wires to replace the broken ones.

I don't believe that should have any effect on the duplexing.

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.