replacing a head on a network cable

unwashed potato! · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:13

the head on my network cable broke on the bit that you press to unclip it and what clips it in which is annoying as the cable keeps coming out of the pc. I have anothedr head but i have n clue how you put it on and how easy it will be.

Do i need some tool for this or is it a simple sqeeze and open the just click close?

im worried though as i need the net, its my life, and if i was to make a mistake i would have to wait 3 weeks for my step dad to come home from hols and fix it. So if i was to attempt this whats the chances it screw it up, like put the cable in wrong?

thanks all

(i put this here is ai thought the people on network section would probably only know just setting up networks rather then electrical stuff, feel free to move though)

Ukadder · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:17

Google it newb

(I've always wanted to say that)

http://www.winnpsb.org/Tutorials/RJ45/default.htm

You don't need a tool really, get a small flat head screwdriver to push the pins into the wires.

_xPk_ · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:19

or use a crimping tool, see pic 6

http://www.lanshack.com/make-cat5E.aspx

Tru · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:19

You'll need a crimper and wire cutters, it's kind of fiddly the first few times you do it so buy a few spare plugs. Don't forget to put a boot on the cable before you start arranging the wires.

JollyGreen · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:29

And once you've done it a few times, you can impress your friends and relatives by reciting
white-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown
faster than they can say their own names!
... yes...

Raumarik · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:32

if it's not a cross over cable just copy the other end in terms of colours, you can't go wrong. It's incredibly fiddly without a crimping tool though, I don't even bother if I don't have it handy

Tru · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:35

The best advice is to leave it. Find a way to stop the cable falling out instead. If you try and replace the connector you will make a mistake and you will be without internet for a long time.

Hate · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:41

JollyGreen said:
And once you've done it a few times, you can impress your friends and relatives by reciting
white-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown
faster than they can say their own names!
... yes...

I've been networking years and i've never remembered the combo, as long as its the same both ends (or crossed over) then it doesn't matter really

Adz · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:46

Why has nobody suggested simply buying another cable yet?

unwashed potato! · 13 Oct 2006 at 10:59

Adz said:
Why has nobody suggested simply buying another cable yet?

i can't because the cable goes from my room (upstair) through the wall, to downstairs in the office where the router is.

well im going to leave it and then either ask my step dad to do it or find a way to stop it from falling out.

thanks guy for the advice

Adz · 13 Oct 2006 at 11:01

In that case, Blu Tak is your friend

.

zetec452 · 13 Oct 2006 at 11:10

Hate said:
I've been networking years and i've never remembered the combo, as long as its the same both ends (or crossed over) then it doesn't matter really

That is true however its good to use the standards set in place as some poor sod would have a right job with it later on down the line.

JollyGreen · 13 Oct 2006 at 11:12

Hate said:
I've been networking years and i've never remembered the combo, as long as its the same both ends (or crossed over) then it doesn't matter really

No, quite, but if you're shortening an existing cable it just means you don't have to examine the ends to see what it needs to be

The_KiD · 13 Oct 2006 at 11:41

Tru said:
The best advice is to leave it. Find a way to stop the cable falling out instead. If you try and replace the connector you will make a mistake and you will be without internet for a long time.

Thats hardly the "best advice" is it?

If none of us ever tried anything for ourselves we would never learn.

The the OP:

As the above posters have said, get yourself a set of crimpers (very cheap) and some cable heads (very cheaper

) and have a go at it, search google for cat5 wiriing diagram or just look at the other end of the cable and make sure your colours are in the same order as the working end

Foxor` · 13 Oct 2006 at 11:47

get another cable man 30m is like 20quid just shop about....

The_KiD · 13 Oct 2006 at 11:52

Foxor` said:
get another cable man 30m is like 20quid just shop about....

but a 100m real is £19 and a pack of 10 cables heads is about 50p

Tru · 13 Oct 2006 at 12:17

The_KiD said:
Thats hardly the "best advice" is it?

Yes it is. There's nothing wrong with the cable, hell, I use dozens of patch leads with no catch on them. I already told him how to make put on a new connector but frankly he'd be mad to risk it.

The_KiD · 13 Oct 2006 at 12:41

I dont see where the risk is? it is an exceptionally straight forward, well documents and easy to do procedure.

As said is fiddly at first but not impossible and now re-heading a cat5 cable takes me about 2 mins.

NickR · 13 Oct 2006 at 13:37

If it's solid core cable (which it may not be?) - why not put Cat5 sockets on each end and use new patch leads?