Do I need to use a "DSL cable"?

[bfletcher24]

I recently got my DSL up and running. In the package with the modem, I got a USB cable, a CAT5 cable and a "DSL cable"

It looks like a phone cord, but the cable in between the jacks is thinker.

Now, I would have used the cable but it is way too short. I used a long phone cord instead, and everything works fine and I am averaging 640 Kbps. If I used this cord, would I get a better speed? Do I need to use this cord or is it basically a phone cord?

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

im pretty sure its just a phone cord
if you wish, maybe you can relocate a little to make sure?

or compare the heads and see ifyou can find any differences

 

[bfletcher24]

Originally posted by: ChampionAtTufshop
im pretty sure its just a phone cord
if you wish, maybe you can relocate a little to make sure?

or compare the heads and see ifyou can find any differences

The heads are identical....

There is no way I could relocate the computer, unfortunately.

 

[robelanator]

it's just a phone cord. the shorter the cord the better the transmission, obviously, but as long as you're going a relatively short distance (ie less than 50-100 feet) you'll be fine. if you ripped open your walls, you'd be surprised at how little sheilding there is around the phone wiring in your house anyways.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: robelanator
it's just a phone cord. the shorter the cord the better the transmission, obviously, but as long as you're going a relatively short distance (ie less than 50-100 feet) you'll be fine. if you ripped open your walls, you'd be surprised at how little sheilding there is around the phone wiring in your house anyways.

You've got the right idea, but any DSL tech will cringe if they hear 50-100 feet.

They send the cable so they can say "I'm sorry sir, if you don't use that cable I can't support you."

Yes, it may work fine with a longer cable.

But if you ever have trouble connecting one of the first things they will require you to do is connect directly to the wall outlet using that cable.

Viper GTS

 

[zephyrprime]

You could always get some cat3 or cat5 and make your own phone cable. Maybe you could buy a suitable cable also? In any case, you probably won't need it.

 

[Celstar]

It is not encouraged to use cat5 cables as a phone line due to possible crosstalk issues.