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www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk Forum Index -> Computers
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yellowlab_2
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Somerset
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 Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject: Ethernet Cables |
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Hello,
I live in a remote area where the Broadband speed is very poor. I recently spoke to my ISP about this and one person suggested I get an Ethernet Cable which would help increase the speed. I duly bought one but the connections are the same at both ends, would I correct in thinking that I need something called a crossover lead or is there something else I need. I think I need a cable with a modem connection at one end and a USB connection at the other. Can anyone confirm this or otherwise.
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yellowlab |
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flaxius
Junior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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If your modem has an ethernet cable socket then you should just be able to use a standard ethernet cable to attach it to your PC.
If you want to connect 2 pc's together, without using a hub or switch then its then when you need a crossover cable.
If you're desperate for a crossover cable I made a guide to making one ages ago which is here: http://www.richandlucy.com/pc/network.php
If you can avoid it don't buy from PC world etc as they charge a fortune for wires etc. Try www.ebuyer.com or www.scan.co.uk for much more reasonable prices.
You may find that even if you do switch from USB to Ethernet you won't get that much of a speed up.
A full speed USB wire can run at over 400MB/s which is way faster than your internet will be.
Rich |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 7773
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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I would say your ISP are talking out their back end and making excuses for a rubbish service.
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If you have a son, DO NOT name him after a verb ....
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yellowlab_2
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: Ethernet Cables |
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Hello Flaxius,
Thanks for the reply. I don't want to connect two computers I just want a stable Broadband connection with a resonable speed. Last week at one stage I was getting 28 kps which is less than dial-up. i was told by the Talktalk techs that if I got an ethernet cable and connected it direct to the telephone junction box where it enters the house that would cure my prob lems. I typed out a much longer reply earlier this evening but before I could send it I lost my connection again. I spoke to the help line?? in India who wanted to send me a CD and kept asking for the same info over and over again, in the end I lost my rag and got cut off. Rang them again and managed to speak to someone who I could understand and eventually got connected . I will have a look at your site regarding the ethernet cable but I don't think that is the problem.
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yellowlab |
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yellowlab_2
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: Ethernet Cables |
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Hello Hoovie,
I think you are right. I've just been on and off the phone with Talk talk for about an hour, it's like being tortured or something like Groundhog Day. I think I will write to head office
and tell them what a crap service they provide. Regarding the C D they wanted to send me ( see post to Flaxius) they said it would take at least a week to arrive, I asked them what I was supposed to do in that week and they said if I did not have the patience to wait a week there was nothing they could do.
I told them I was paying for a service which I was not getting , their reply , we will send you a CD.
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yellowlab |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 7773
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Yellowlab,
What you need to do is check the speed of the line as you have it setup right now, then put your broadband router/modem into the main telephone socket of the house and disconnect all other extensions and then check the speed.
Are you using any Broadband kit that the ISP didn't supply? What speed did they tell you to expect?
If you are using all their kit and getting 28K with nothing else, then tell them to get it sorted or use a proper ISP.
This thing with the ethernet cable advice is total pants and just shows they haven't got a clue.
_________________
If you have a son, DO NOT name him after a verb ....
"Neil, Standup. Neil, Standup"
"Which is it, man?" |
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yellowlab_2
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject: Ethernet Cables |
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Hello Hoovie,
I connected my modem directly to the main telephone socket last wednesday at the request of my ISP and they said that it did improve the line connection, that was when they said I should run an ethernet cable from the main socket up to my computer/ computer and that would solve the problems, they also said that telephone extension lines were rubbish and that ethernet was better.
I am not using the modem that they supplied as I could barely get a connection with that and so purchased a Netgear DG 834 v. 3 which improved matters a great deal untill this week.
I cannot recall that they made any promises about line speed only the usual guff about up to 8 mb. I realise that I am a long way from the exchange and usually have a speed of about 500 kps. I am sure you are right about the ethernet cable being pants, I have absolutely no confidence in anything I hear from my ISP, they just want to get you off the line and can say that they sorted you out, they must be on some sort of commission. I've lost my connection 4 times tonight
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yellowlab |
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mr phone
Communications Expert
Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 101
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:42 am Post subject: |
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The biggest problem you have is that you are with Talk Talk - by far the worst service provider I have come across.The tech !!!?? guys read off of a script and are pretty clueless.
You did the righ thing buying a better router but I would show Talk Talk the door - they are completely pants.
Over 50% of my service calls are usually Talk Talk. |
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skiking
Senior Member
Joined: 13 Sep 2006
Posts: 3081
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:19 am Post subject: |
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I saw a report the other day where Talk Talk came top in several categories, including customer service - did think it was complete b*llox  |
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yellowlab_2
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:55 pm Post subject: Ethernet Cables |
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Hello Mr Phone,
I think you are right that I should ditch them, trouble is I am tied into an 18 month contract. The people at their Call Centre are , as you say, clueless and I have a job underatnding what they are saying. The English people I can understand but they keep giving conflicting advice and quite frankly I'd rather believe the people on this site. Would it help if I disconnected line 2 at the main telephone socket, I've heard that it speeds up the connection.
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yellowlab |
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yellowlab_2
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject: Ethernet Cables |
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Hello Shiking,
I also saw one the other day that said B T was the tops for Customer Service. I think they must run polls with only one contender so they all get a chance to say they are the best. The Government ought to step in and shake up the whole Telecommunication Service although having said that this Government couldn't organise a p*ss up in a brewery
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yellowlab |
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Mooncat
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 1716
Location: Wales-UK
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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Disconnecting your telephone extensions will often help, as they usually introduce noise which forces to connection to slow down.
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I started out with nothing, I still have most of it. |
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