Strange thing just happened

Noreen · May 22, 2009, 18:26:23

I lost my internet connection, the LAN light on my Netgear router suddenly went out. I fiddled around and found that the light went on and off when I put pressure on the plug into the computer. Luckily I had a spare cable left over from a previous router so I changed them over and the connection is now firm as is the LAN light. I assume that a loose connection must have developed in the plug or cable, what I can't understand is how can this happen in a plug and cable that's never moved!

Simon · May 22, 2009, 18:27:28

Very strange, Noreen.

Rik · May 22, 2009, 18:28:59

It was just feeling lonely and wanted some attention, Noreen. Eerily, I had a power supply fail on my router last night at around this time. Maybe we should start to worry?

Simon · May 22, 2009, 18:33:36

May bugs?

Rik · May 22, 2009, 18:35:33

Could be. Whose turn tomorrow, I wonder?

Noreen · May 23, 2009, 10:52:48

I've had an idea about this. There is an exhaust for a fan near the socket and it seems possible that the LAN plug may get warm from it and then cool down constantly, perhaps over time a connection failed because of this. Possible?

Rik · May 23, 2009, 10:58:25

Very possible, Noreen.

Sebby · May 23, 2009, 11:26:05

I'd say that's possible. Still, it's a strange one nonetheless.

Noreen · May 23, 2009, 11:30:50

I've been keeping an eye on it and the plug barely gets warm so I'm probably wrong.

Rik · May 23, 2009, 11:39:15

Plastics do 'dry out' over time.

Noreen · May 23, 2009, 12:28:21

The previous cable lasted quite a long time but I intend getting a spare one just in case.

Rik · May 23, 2009, 12:46:08

I have cupboards of spares, I'm terrible like that.

Sebby · May 23, 2009, 13:57:56

It's amazing how many cables are accumulated over the years.

Rik · May 23, 2009, 15:14:07

I still have some serial cables, Seb, and no doubt a few parallel printer cables too.

wecpcs · May 23, 2009, 15:24:18

Quote from: Rik on May 23, 2009, 15:14:07
I still have some serial cables, Seb, and no doubt a few parallel printer cables too.

I have still got about 30 ATA33 IDE cables from my old shop business. I don't no why I bother keeping them really as they are of no use now, even for ROM drives which require ATA66/100/133 cables. I might have a clearout one day.

Colin

Rik · May 23, 2009, 15:26:06

You know that the minute you dispose of them, someone will phone you asking if you have any.

Sebby · May 23, 2009, 16:04:57

That's why I don't throw any cables away; I always think they'll come in handy one day!

Rik · May 23, 2009, 16:05:51

I just know I've got an old SCSI cable and terminator tucked away somewhere...

Noreen · May 23, 2009, 16:24:51

I bought a new cable this afternoon and replaced the other one and it's probably an illusion but the Internet seems faster.

Rik · May 23, 2009, 16:26:52

It could be, Noreen, if the other cable was picking up some noise.

Noreen · May 23, 2009, 16:33:56

The previous one was Cat 5 (which meant nothing to me) and I found later that the new one was Cat 6. I was worried that I'd bought the wrong thing so did some googling about it and found that the Cat 6 was newer and better for noise reduction. All double Dutch to me but seems to work.

Rik · May 23, 2009, 16:39:04

In order of 'quality', Noreen, it's Cat5, 5e then 6. Cat6 is good for 1Gb links and best for noise reduction.

Noreen · May 23, 2009, 16:43:56

So you think that it could be possible that it's improved things then? I'm keeping the previous Cat 5 as a spare.

Rik · May 23, 2009, 16:46:34

It's unlikely, but stranger things have happened. I tend to use the highest spec cables that I can get, as they will have plenty of headroom for faster traffic.

Sebby · May 24, 2009, 01:14:37

Cat6 is best for longer runs. It probably wouldn't give any gains at a short length, but I won't say it's impossible.

Gary · May 26, 2009, 09:02:03

Quote from: Sebby on May 23, 2009, 16:04:57
That's why I don't throw any cables away; I always think they'll come in handy one day!

I'm the same Sebby but the box of old cables is long enough now to be getting the raised eyebrow from Justina, but as yiu say, you just never know

alhenderson · May 27, 2009, 16:43:45

Quote from: Noreen on May 22, 2009, 18:26:23
I lost my internet connection, the LAN light on my Netgear router suddenly went out. I fiddled around and found that the light went on and off when I put pressure on the plug into the computer. Luckily I had a spare cable left over from a previous router so I changed them over and the connection is now firm as is the LAN light. I assume that a loose connection must have developed in the plug or cable, what I can't understand is how can this happen in a plug and cable that's never moved!

My very first post here (only found the place today), but the internet went a couple of times on my DG834 the other week. I think it was a dodgy connection in the wire going into the top of the transformer. It was plugged into a 4 bar adapter which was jammed against the wall, moved the transformer into a proper wall plug and all has been well since.

Spooky :-)

Al.

Rik · May 27, 2009, 16:49:50

These things are sent to try us - frequently

, welcome to the forum.

alhenderson · May 27, 2009, 17:21:40

Quote from: Rik on May 27, 2009, 16:49:50
These things are sent to try us - frequently , welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcome. It may already have proved itself a worthwhile place as I have just ordered a free 3G dongle thanks to one of the other threads. Now I just need a use for it :-))

Al.

Rik · May 27, 2009, 17:23:23

We don't need uses for such things, Al, we just like to acquire them.

(The dongles are a bargain, btw, 3 are still selling them at £29.99 if you prefer to pay for one.

)

alhenderson · May 27, 2009, 17:30:07

Quote from: Rik on May 27, 2009, 17:23:23
We don't need uses for such things, Al, we just like to acquire them. (The dongles are a bargain, btw, 3 are still selling them at £29.99 if you prefer to pay for one. )

Yep, another little toy to wow the wife with :-) That sounded better in my head...

Rik · May 27, 2009, 17:34:14

You're going to fit right in around here.

Sebby · May 27, 2009, 18:50:42

Welcome to the forum!

alhenderson · May 27, 2009, 19:43:59

Quote from: Sebby on May 27, 2009, 18:50:42
Welcome to the forum!

Thanks guys :-)

Lance · May 27, 2009, 22:45:02

Another welcome from me too!