Cat5e into router, no net connection? Help is needed

[IrishTeddi]

Hey,

I've been testing a new internet setup for the rig I'm building on my laptop and I'm a bit confused. I was told that Cat5e cable allows you to connect to the net.

Our appartment runs a wireless broadband connection through it, however I want a wired connection instead (more solid online game performance). I purchased some Cat5e cable and connected it into the back of my router, then into my internet port on the laptop, turned off the wireless and I assumed I'd get automatic connection, but I get nothing?

I remember years ago when I used wired internet that it connected automatically, what am I doing wrong? The back of the router has Ethernet ports 1-4, where I connected the Cat5e. There is only one Ethernet port on the back of my modem, which is occupied with the Ethernet cable that runs into my router.

I don't have much experience with internet connections so I'd appreciate any help.

(Router is Netgear N300)

[Phil@Dabs]

Do you get lights either end (router and laptop) - if not cable is no good - does the laptop get a valid IP address ? - can you ping the router ? - other than that, you will have to look at the router config for port and IP config.

[IrishTeddi]

Thanks for the reply Phil,

Neither end actually has led lights to indicate a connection. I went into my network adapter and there was nothing there, stating it wasn't setup. Could this be the reason? (sorry if that sounds like an obvious thing).

[DMS]

Just to confirm for my understanding of your problem, are you able to get connected wirelessly through your router? I'm just trying to confirm that your router is set up to connect to your broadband service. Could you clarify what you mean by "Neither end actually has led lights to indicate a connection". I'm reading that as the router has none of lights on, so could you confirm which of the front panel lights on the router are lit.

[IrishTeddi]

Hi DMS,

What I meant, was that on the port of the laptop, there are no led lights. So there won't be any activity light to indicate a connection. There are lights on my router, on the front, what I was saying was that there are no lights lighting up at the ethernet connection at the back of the router (if that's what Phil meant).

I've been connecting to the router wirelessly for months now. I've never used this laptop wired before, so I'm wondering if the network adapter drivers haven't been installed.

I'm sure it'll be fine when my motherboard arrives (Asus P8Z68-V PRO) I hope...

[Phil@Dabs]

Have you got another PC or laptop to try it with ??

[cerberus]

I have the net gear 150 - same as you i have a modem which in turn plugs into router- which has 4 ports -can you plug into ports 1-4 in router or the main Ethernet port only

[2o2o]

Open up your hardware window (right click computer goto properties then device manager) and check you have more than just your wireless card in the Networking category. If you don't you probably have the network disabled in your BIOS I have seen a lot of new laptops with it disabled lately mainly because it just isn't used anymore. Also use this picture to check the Cat 5 cable is wired correctly as even shop bought ones regularly are mis-wired with Cat 5's.

img removed cause it's wrong , but basically they want to be same either end

[moduleoptic]

http://homepage.mac.com/car1son/linksys_rear.gif

You need to put ethernet cable from your ISP in WAN Port. In 1 to 4 ports put your Cat 5e cable. Make sure your router config it's correct and WAN light, port light and light on network card blink. You can call to your Internet Service Provider to check your router it's connected to ethernet.

I hope it helps.

[DreamingSheep]

Looks like most of what I was going to say is covered by everyone else..

1. Try using a different port on the back of your router. It's possible you happened to connect to a dead (damaged) port.

2. Confirm you have the drivers for your ethernet device installed. May seem silly but if I do a restore using the factory DVD's it does not install my network drivers unless I manually install them after the OS is up and running. Check as per 2o2o's instructions, or look in 'Network Connections' to see if there's a Local Area Network or similar available.

3. Try using the wired connection with another PC, if one's available.

4. Try using another cable. Just make sure youre using a normal cable and avoid crossover cables (same rj45 connector). Easiest way to check is if you hold the two connectors next to each other, the internal cable order will be exactly the same (possibly mirrored depending on how you're holding them, but still in the same order). If the the colours to not match you most likely have a crossover cable. You want a 'Straight through' layout like below:

5. Try using a wired connection at someone else's house who has successfully used a wired connection with their current setup.

Do all of those should at least give you a better indication of where the fault is (cable, PC, router) and give you some direction to getting connected, whether that's it being fixed or knowing which device needs it's settings changed. Hope this helps.