I have just bought a 10/100 Netgear 5 Port Switch/Hub, and am trying to currently run 2 computers off it @ 100mbps.

The two computers however, will not detect a network connection (Ie, "the network cable is unplugged") when running from their current locations in thehouse, about 10, and about 30 metres.

However, when they are put close to the hub, like 1 or 2 m away, with 1 or 2m cable, they work fine.

Cable is standard Cat 5 UTP s*** from jaycar..... Network cards are Intel Pro 100 and SMC 10/100.

Thanks

First question, did you make the cable yourself?

Second question, what does it run past?

It's running past a wheelbarrow full of magnets :P

Also, I doubt it's a distance/attenuation issue since the maximum segment length (ie distance between repeaters) for Ethernet using Cat-5 UTP is 100 m. I'm thinking it's either an inteference problem (from external sources such as mains power line or some electrically noisy appliance), OR if you've terminated the cable yourself, you may have incorrectly wired it OR the cable could be broken inside the sheath.

lol tael..

yea, made the cable myself.. have made millions before...

i dont think its running past any wheelbarrows, and i tried the cable like rolled up and s*** when the comps were together... still no luck..

I would help you but I am too tired atm, its getting late.

dodgey cable then... get a cable tester & test it.

you running windows xp/2k?

Ill put 100 bucks on it being the cable. Roll it up again and get a multimeter across the matching points @ either end of the cable. I betcha that there will be one wire broken. Terminating cables myself, i found that the crimper strips the cable as well as partially cutting thru some wires inside that you dont see untill you bend them a couple of times and they break.. that may be your prob.. so yeh multimeter and do a resistance test :)

bah :(

is there a better cable i can get ?

dont rule out software yet, i know with 2k/xp sometimes i had to force 100mbps half duplex THEN 100mbps full duplex, after that it autosensed fine

hmm, yeah

it just f***s me that it works over 1m, and not over 20 or 30

1 meter = different cabel
thats why i ruled out software mate :)
therefore your 20 m cabel has a break in it and i betcha its just before the crimp.. if it is then just cut if off and re crimp it.. loose 1cm max

have you got RJ45's?

Yeah as I said earlier in the thread, my money is on a dodgy cable.

My money is on you hunter. :P don't fail me.

Heh.

Another thing you need to remember b u d d a, don't unravel more than a centimetre of the cable when you're terminating as it can introduce cross-talk, which you do not want.

hmmm, well, I made a shorter length from the same roll of cable.. about 3 metres, which worked fine.

AHHHRG!

did i mention that the network will work if you force the card to run 10mbps ? @!#$@%

i will try recrimping the cable, however i have done that a few times, with no solution.

I have like 50 million crimps however, so i can try a few times...

thanks all for ur help.

ps: hunter, whats ur last post about ???

My last post? When you terminate a UTP cable, you can only unwind up to a centimetre of cable before it becomes non-standard (meaning it may or may not work properly). Basically, the twists in the cable are there to prevent noise from the other pairs and if you undo too many twists it can impair the cable's effectiveness (eg slower connections or not at all).

as i said try setting 100mbps half duplex, then 100mbps full duplex, see if that works, it worked for me when i first got my 100mbit card and switch

He said it ran @ 10base
when it only runs @ 10 does it use only half the wires inside?

Anyone got a good s*** on how to crimp cat5?

hmm, this is why I prefer to buy premade cable :)

when it only runs @ 10 does it use only half the wires inside?

No.

I should point out that there's two different wiring standards for Cat. 5 termination: 568A and 568B. Apparently most pre-made cables that you buy in stores are terminated using 568B. If you're not using gigabit ethernet, which you probably aren't then you can use either standard.

whip out a Multimeter or pick up a loopback tester from Dick Smiths.... Peace of mind to know your crappy cabling isn't ruining your gaming :)

hmmm

im also getting major loss in quake 3

Sounds like the cable isn't terminated properly. Have you got the proper tools?

Also, it is vital that you don't undo the twists! I can't stress this enough and additionally, don't remove more than 1 1/2 centimetres of the plastic sheath on the cable.

If it's such an intermittent problem, it's easier for the cards to detect when running at 10Mbs coz you don't lose as much during errors (yes that is a terrible explanation).

hunter, that's about the 3rd time you'd mentioned that.

Now, if it works with the short cables, and not with the long ones, chances are that the long one's are either broken along the wire somewhere, not crimped right, or they're running past something highly magnetic, or the wires aren't paired correctly. I don't how how the hell the not pairing thing makes them stuff up, but someone said it does....I think...maybe...who knows.

you sure you didn't make them into x-over cables by mistake?

lol, they are NOT crossovers

they arent running past any wheelbarrows of magnets cause theyre rolled up in a pile on the floor.

just spent a while re crimping one, and i think i got it working.. so it f***s me

recrimp both ends on the cable, taking heed in Hunters advice.
DO NOT untwist more than 1cm of the twisted cables inside the sheath.
Use a good quality crimping tool (jaycars $60 jobbie works nicely for me).

and whover said "try rolling the cables up and see if that helps".... geez, coiling the cables just produces more crosstalk and less performance.

and u said that one cable worked at 10mbps... classic case of the pairing being fine but the workmanship being 2nd rate. no offence, but just cos you've done "millions" of cables before, doesnt mean you're a demi-god. I've done "thousands" of cables and i still f*** up sometimes.

anyway, sounds like you were doing the right think by re-terminating the cables.

good luck dude :-)

(edit was for a single spelling mistake... gimme a break, I'm running on 2 hours sleep, haha)

W-E-I_R_ D