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.