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I know there's got to be some computer guys on here that can help me with this newb question...

What is the cable called that goes from the computer tower to the wall? Is it a patch cable? And in what order do I wire the pairs? Are both ends wired in the same order?

I think you can buy cords at PA pretty cheap. I'm sure I can find some if you give me a type and length

bluenose wrote:I know there's got to be some computer guys on here that can help me with this newb question...

What is the cable called that goes from the computer tower to the wall? Is it a patch cable? And in what order do I wire the pairs? Are both ends wired in the same order?

There's two different ways of wiring CAT5: 568A and 568B. What you're walking about is called a straight-through cable, you need to make sure that both ends are wired in the same order, either both A or both B. If you have A on one end and B on the other, you have a crossover, which is used for directly connecting two devices together.

I wired my house using all 568B, just because it's the more common pattern (or at least it was when I was doing network engineering type stuff years ago).

I have the cable and ends and crimper already. I've tried wiring it in A, B, and crossover config, but the cable from the computer to the wall doesn't seem to work yet the cable from the wall jack to the modem does (wired in B config)

bluenose wrote:I have the cable and ends and crimper already. I've tried wiring it in A, B, and crossover config, but the cable from the computer to the wall doesn't seem to work yet the cable from the wall jack to the modem does (wired in B config)

They can be tricky at times, can you see bare copper at the connection points of the cable end? Sometimes it's tricky to get all the pairs rammed in there the same distance.

Can you test the cable by wiring the computer directly to the modem with it?

jeffsmith wrote:Can you test the cable by wiring the computer directly to the modem with it?

not easily, no.

I'll try it in 568B on both ends, maybe a few of them were short.

Good to know I was on the right track the first time

Thanks everyone

Are you wiring with RJ45 ends, or to a patch panel? It *sounds* like you're wiring to RJ45 ends, and one thing you want to make sure is that you have stranded Cat5, and not solid-core Cat5(which is used in punch-down applications).

Quick test is to bend it and see if it holds the bend, if it does, you've probably got solid core. You can also strip the ends, obviously.

blacktip wrote:Are you wiring with RJ45 ends, or to a patch panel? It *sounds* like you're wiring to RJ45 ends, and one thing you want to make sure is that you have stranded Cat5, and not solid-core Cat5(which is used in punch-down applications).

Quick test is to bend it and see if it holds the bend, if it does, you've probably got solid core. You can also strip the ends, obviously.

I actually use all solid core, even when terminating the RJ45 connectors. Much easier to work with, and meant that I only had to buy one kind when wiring my house.

I had lots of continuity problems when using solid core in a lab. It can be done, but it can also be really fussy work

Never mind, looks like I need to refresh more often .
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If you are going to a wall outlet you are not looking for a patch cable but I don't know if the regular ones have a name. For computer to wall cable both ends are wired in the same order.

blacktip wrote:I had lots of continuity problems when using solid core in a lab. It can be done, but it can also be really fussy work

The type of connectors I use likely have something to do with my success with solid core.

Yes indeed. Right tool for the right job.

My materials are the same as Jeff's

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The jack is the punch down kind in the back and came with a small plastic thing for pushing the wires in

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IMO, crimping your own cat 5 ends isn't a great idea unless you buy a Good quality crimper. Trying to do solid core makes it harder still. Reliability will be questionable. Also the quality of the wire itself plays a huge roll. I'm the guy they used to call in when new audio over ip radio stations were built poorly. Reliability = money in radio. I realize at home not so much, but I think you'll save yourself a lot of frustration buying a ore are cable of decent quality. I can give you one (or several).

Anyway, my 2 cents coming from a few years of doing this sort of shit.


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what everyone says about the brewnosers is a total load of crap. JK

I've had three people offer to give me free cat5 cables

The reason I was trying to go this route is because I have a few hundred feet left over after running cat5 in a few of my apartments and the rj45 ends are pretty cheap and I already had the crimping tool. I installed the ends on several wires myself already and they work fine.

That said, this last one wasn't working and my poor little muffin head couldn't figure it out. I will gladly accept a 5' cable from someone who's offering. you can even have the two ends I have left. Not the wire though, I may need that in the near future.

How long do you need? Most of what I have are fairly short but sounds like you don't need it to be super long?


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Use 568b wiring. Lots of diagrams on the net.

I can have a 5' this afternoon. How can we get it to you?

Send me one of your cables and I can test it and see it there's an issue with the crimps.

Sandy