linksys router and connectivity

[nicks60610]

I have a friend of mine with an issue relating to connecting 2 PC's using a Linksys router. When he connects to it, his PC (PC1) works fine, but when his son connects (PC2), he does not get a link light. PC1 is running XP and PC2 is running ME; the CAT5 cable is 120 ft, and it works ok to PC2 if it is coming directly from the cable modem in to PC2, but not via the Linksys router. He seems to think it is cable length, but the cable can be 300 ft. He said they tested it with a shorter cable (15ft) and then both PC's worked fine. Any ideas?

 

[Guest_imported]

Sounds like a cabling issue. Your 120ft cable may be a crossover cable which would explain why it would work when connected directly with the cable modem. The 15ft cable is probably a straight-through cable which is why it works when connect to the router.

 

[nicks60610]

I checked the cable with a tester, and it shows straight-through, or at least it did before it was installed; I am wondering if there is an open pin, which would explain why the signal would carry through from the cable modem, but not through the router.

 

[Guest_imported]

It might be the wire config. Go to

http://www.linksys.com

and lookup wire setup. There is a certain way to setup the wires so that you don't get wire crosstalk. Look it up. That was the answer to my problem.

 

[nicks60610]

Thanks for all your tips, he finally got it working, it seemed that something in his basement floor was affecting the signal going through the cable, as soon as he kept it off the floor, it worked fine, not sure what it could have been, but there must be something running underneath that would interfere with the CAT5....