Can i use cat6 cable

[iNeb]

Ok, i was a n idiot, a few weeks ago i went to frys and picked up what seems to be a cat5 7foot (Turns out to be a 14 foot cat6)

Some other idiot put a cat6 14 foot in the 7 foot cat5 spot and i didn't double check.

I found out when i plugged it into my hub and tried to connect it to a pc i'm working on doesn't work..

Any way to get it to work, i'de hate to have to find the receipt for it and try to return it since it was only $5

[DallasDon]

if it's a patch cable, not a crossover cable, it shoud work. Cat 6 is just better shielding for running with other cables in conduit, plus a little faster.

[DVNT1]

Just so you have a second opinion, using CAT6 in place of CAT5 should be fine if all else is equal (shielded vs non-shielded, plenum vs non-plenum). Actually those two items I mentioned typically aren't even a factor for patch cables.

The reason it may not work: it may be a crossover cable and not a patch cable. Compare the ends together, the colored wires should be in the same order for a patch cable, but different on one end for a crossover cable.

[iNeb]

Went back to frys today to pick up some things, for giggles went to see what kind of cable it was.

Turns out it's a 14' CROSS OVER cable =(


What can i do with it now besides sell it?

[JayMan]

For a couple $$$ you should be able to buy an adapter which converts normal to x-over, and vice versa.

i've got one of these, cost me $5 australian. Heh turned out i never needed it in the 1st place cuz my router can detected what sort of cable is being used and adapts itself to that.

JayMan

[John Prophet]

Keep it, youll undoubtedly need it sooner or later.

(hooking two machines together directly with no hub)
(going from one hub to another hub or switch etc)

JP

[DallasDon]

cross over cable is really good to network two comps without setting up a network.

You will use it to transfer files and settings from an old comp to a new one, using the files and settings transfer wizard.

Or reverse the oarnge and white on one cable, VOILA, a patch cable.

[[Neo770]]

Hey JayMan do those things have a name. I Asked for a thing to convert a corssover cable to a normal cable in a local computer store, they just looked at me funny and suggested I just buy the cable i needed.

[Gait_Keeper]

Originally posted by DVNT1
Just so you have a second opinion, using CAT6 in place of CAT5 should be fine if all else is equal (shielded vs non-shielded, plenum vs non-plenum). Actually those two items I mentioned typically aren't even a factor for patch cables.

The reason it may not work: it may be a crossover cable and not a patch cable. Compare the ends together, the colored wires should be in the same order for a patch cable, but different on one end for a crossover cable.

thats it DVNT1 got right

all my cables are cat5e and cat6

[iNeb]

Can you really notice the speed difference?