Cable Issues?

UnrealJo · 02-02-2011, 00:31

Hi,

I have a work laptop that I use at work and home. Originally at home, I had an old Ethernet cable which had broken ends. It was plugged into the router and directly into the laptop, and it worked ... with the issue of being a bit stretched, and sometimes coming out of the router or the laptop. So I invested a little money in buying a Cat5 Ethernet cable of 5 M length. Plugged it into the router, and the laptop, booted up the laptop, and all seemed fine: green lights on the router, lights working at the back of the laptop. However, when I attempted to access google on the internet ... failed to connect. That laptop runs XP, so I had a look at the network settings - all looked ok. I did an IPCONFIG /ALL and found the correct 192.168.0.x address assigned from the router, correct gateway address etc. So it was getting a connection ... yet still no internet. Checked the PC firewall (Macafee), no issues there that I could see. So tried the cable in another laptop at home ... a Window7 one. Again, IPCONFIG showed that router connection was fine, but yet again could not access the internet. Went into Network and Sharing Center ... it showed that all was ok ... including internet access ... yet my browsers were not accessing the internet. Any ideas? I also have a 10 M Ethernet cable from the same place, and it too shows the same issues. The router is a Netcomm router (sorry cannot remember the model). It is also a wireless router, so connected wirelessly to check ... and via the wireless connection can access the internet. Have another PC connected via a wire to that router, and it works. So that leaves me with the cable ....?

jb66 · 02-02-2011, 07:15

Try the cable going to the other pc in your laptop to test

TheNorm · 02-02-2011, 07:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnrealJo

...being a bit stretched, and sometimes coming out of the router or the laptop. ...

You might have damaged one or more of the connections inside. Try "wiggling it around" (gently). Unfortunately, if this is the case, the solution will be more expensive than a new cable.

I have a similar problem with the VGA output on my laptop, it only works when wiggled to the correct position, then must not be moved. I think this was caused by pulling a short cable - I was making a presentation in a room where the VGA cable was long enough, but some clown had fixed it into a short loop with cable ties.

banjo · 02-02-2011, 09:58

Have you tried using your old cable to see if that still works ?

UnrealJo · 03-02-2011, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjo

Have you tried using your old cable to see if that still works ?

Thanks everyone ... yes tried the new cable in another laptop. Doesn't work.

Tried the old cable in the work laptop - works. So I think the pins at both ends are ok.

Going to take out both cables later and look at the ends ... wondering if the new cable has been incorrectly wired ... crossover maybe ?? Can't figure out why it would give me the correct IP address from the router, but not communicate. (incidentally, the same IP address as the old cable is now using).

Matthew · 05-02-2011, 01:29

Have you tried turning your router and modem off and powering back on from scratch?

UnrealJo · 08-02-2011, 00:18

Hi, thanks for the replies. Am currently using the old cable via the router (same port) and it works. The issue is with the cable, and I am beginning to think it is the length of the cable that is an issue. Working cable is around 2 M long, failed cables are 5 M and 10 M respectively. Is there a resistance issue with longer cables? Alternatively the wiring of the cables is odd ... though I haven't noticed anything by looking at the ends.