quick one: does a NIC blink if you're using a straight cable instead of a crossed cable?

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
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So my brother hooks up his new cablemodem to his NIC and he gets a LINK, he says that the NIC blinks. Now, I don't know what NIC he has so it might not auto-compensate polarity(that's what I've heard), so he might have to use a crossed cable, right? So, my question: If he uses the wrong cable, would he still get a LINK? Do I make sense?
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
10,621
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What blinks? The LINK light on an ACTIVITY light? Either way, if it works, don't worry about it.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
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getting a link light is not an indication of a good cable.

In this case he should be using a straight-thru (ie regular network patch) cable.
 

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
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Originally posted by: spidey07
getting a link light is not an indication of a good cable.

In this case he should be using a straight-thru (ie regular network patch) cable.

no, I mean if it's an indication if he's using the correct cable in the sense of straight/crossed.
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
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Can he get to the internet?

Yes = correct cable
No = possibly wrong cable (could also be incorrect software setup)
 

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
1
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Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Can he get to the internet?

Yes = correct cable
No = possibly wrong cable (could also be incorrect software setup)

nah, he can't connect.