USB to Ethernet switchover curiodity

[JimL]

I've been running my cable internet modem through USB. Today I got a couple
Cat5e's (I don't recall specifying the "e") in the mail and hooked one up
I got nothing.

An hour or two later a gal at Comcast is telling me to swap ends on the
cable. I did. Now I'm on with ethernet.

Question:

Do all ethernet cables need a certain end at the computer? Is this
something specific to cat5e?

Thanks

 

[Steve Winograd [MS-MVP]]

I've been running my cable internet modem through USB. Today I got a couple
Cat5e's (I don't recall specifying the "e") in the mail and hooked one up
I got nothing.

An hour or two later a gal at Comcast is telling me to swap ends on the
cable. I did. Now I'm on with ethernet.

Question:

Do all ethernet cables need a certain end at the computer? Is this
something specific to cat5e?

Thanks

I've never heard of an Ethernet cable only working in one direction.

Did you turn the cable modem off and back on before making the initial
Ethernet connection? That's necessary to reset the cable modem when
changing its connection.

Did the Comcast gal say why she thought that swapping ends would help?
Is it an ordinary Ethernet cable, or a special one that Comcast
provided?

Cat5 vs. Cat5e makes no difference for a cable modem connection.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Desktop Experience)

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[JimL]

Good grief, I just found 3 copies of my post on here.

I've never heard of an Ethernet cable only working in one direction.

Did you turn the cable modem off and back on before making the initial
Ethernet connection? That's necessary to reset the cable modem when
changing its connection.
Yup.

Did the Comcast gal say why she thought that swapping ends would help?

No, but I think she was reading it off a computer screen. Most of them do.

Is it an ordinary Ethernet cable, or a special one that Comcast
provided?

From an internet cable supplier I have used for years. Apparently too many
years.

Cat5 vs. Cat5e makes no difference for a cable modem connection.

Thanks

 

[JimL]

Did she ask you to pull hard on it because she had too much cable at her
end?

ROTFL!

Did you ever hear Garrison Keillor's story about the telephone guys and the
un-tethered cherry picker?

 

[Chuck]

Likely a mechanical issue with the cable plugs. I've run across this problem
a few times.
Possible Causes
Contacts not mating or something on them.
Connector not fully seated
Poor crimps (wire to connector)

"I've never heard of an Ethernet cable only working in one direction"