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bills187 · Oct 11, 2005, 02:53 PM

First of all, yes, I'm putting it in the right place. I know which one is the modem socket and which one is for an ethernet cable. I've used this same socket (is that the best word?) for over a year, and it's been fine. Now, however, my ethernet cable keeps coming out of the socket. I can put it in, but it is extremely loose, and comes out every few seconds unless I continually push it in. I was actually content with this, but now it's gotten even worse, where even if I push it in, it often does not work. I especially have trouble accessing anything online where I have to press a button (a yahoo/google search, or submitting any information online such as on an e-mail website. I'm typing this from another computer by the way.

What should I do? Do I need a whole new computer, or is there some way to fix the ethernet cable socket? Alternatively, could I do something to press the cable in and keep it in the right way for good? Thanks a lot for all your help, as this is a very, very frustrating situation.

labman · Oct 11, 2005, 04:52 PM

Take a close look at the end. Is it damaged or worn? Is there anything sticking out that might keep it from going all the way in? If you can't see a problem, try reversing the cable. Could be enough difference to fix the problem. Try a different cable. You can replace the end too. I think I had to buy a package of 50 ends when I wired my house for ethernet. They are a pain to crimp without the tool made for the job.

ScottGem · Oct 11, 2005, 05:36 PM

Its highly unlikely it's the jack. Did you try reversing the cable? Its most like the little tab which clicks into the jack is broken.

bills187 · Oct 11, 2005, 07:56 PM

Thanks guys, but I've tried a few different cables, and the main cable I use works fine in my roommate's computer. The cables are all fine. It really is the jack, as far as I can tell. However, the problem is twofold, and you might be able to help me with either part.

First is what I said. The cable is very, very loose in the jack, and comes out all the time. As I said before, though, I can deal with this by pushing it in hard, which was annoying but effective... until now. Now, even when it is in, the internet works very infrequently. Again, I have trouble submitting any information, like on hotmail.com or other e-mail websites, or on search engines. I believe these two problems might be related, though, as the orange light next to the jack flashes on only about 10% of the time when the cable is in (I can get the green light on consistently, but the orange light is off most of the time). What should I do?

Thanks!

labman · Oct 11, 2005, 08:36 PM

You shouldn't need a whole new computer. Is the socket on the ethernet card? They are not that expensive. If you are up to a little soldering, replacing the socket might not be too bad if you can find one. There is tape and a wedge. You could also look at the socket and see if a little prying or squeezing would take care of a mechanical problem.

StuMegu · Oct 12, 2005, 01:40 AM

Buy a new ethernet card, in the UK you can buy these for 3 quid. Just remove or disable the existing one (disable if onboard)

ScottGem · Oct 12, 2005, 05:20 AM

To combine what the others said. If the ethernet port is onboard (on the motherboard) then buy a new card and use that. You can have multiple Ethernet Adapters in a PC. You might want to remove the onboard adapter from your Network connections so you don't get them confused.

If its on a card, then just replace the card.