I solved my problem with regards to netwoking my PB at work ("Connecting to HS Internet at work"). The merchant who sold me the cable came and changed both ends of the Ethernet cable and it works now. Only thing is, the connection speed is extremely slow. I connected to other cables on the network by just unplugging the Ethernet cables off some computers and everything works fine at normal Ethernet and HS Internet speeds. I took a short wire and plugged in directly to the hub in the office, on more than one port, including mine and all works well and fast.
I installed the cable I bought myself and ran it through the false ceiling from the main office to mine. The total cable lenght is about 30 feet. The cable goes past some flurescent lightings fixtures, but then again, so do all the other Ethernet cables in the place.
My basic question is, why is my cable so slow and all the others so fast? Are there different types of cables? What could make a "cable" slower than another since that is the factor that I've narrowed it down to!
Is it possible that the cable you bought is either;
1. the cable itself is out of spec for 100-Base T and therefore the router defaults the port back to 10-Base T
2. the "changing of the ends" was not done to 100-Base T spec and again the speed drops down to 10-Base T
3. "possibly" could be some interference being on the cable from something it is running beside or next to in the ceiling. get a network packet listening utility to see if you are losing packets and to see what the connection speed is on that cable
Have you tried the cable in question with other computer? can you repeat the symptoms?
Seem like your other cables are 100-Base T spec and as such you get a fast connection.
the 30 feet (10 m) is not a problem for 100-Base T as long as the cable is the correct specification.
Check the cable. It should be marked with something like CAT5, CAT5e, or CAT6.
CAT5 should work, but may not.
CAT5e (enhanced) is the recommended cable for what you are doing.
CAT6 is overkill, because there is no current requirement for it, but it won't hurt.
In all cases (since you are using bulk cable) Belden brand is the only one I can recommend. That should also be marked on the cable.
On your router (again I'm assuming it's a Linksys, please say so if it isn't) you will see the row of lights corresponding to your computer (1 of the 4 rows). The bottom (orange) light should be lit if you are actually getting 100Base ethernet speeds; in fact all 3 should be lit up.
I would suspect your "merchant" didn't properly terminate the cable, or he sold you generic cable which isn't up to spec.
You can easily buy preterminated Belden cable at 10m lengths at any Office Depot or Staples store. At least then you will know it is good to go, and if it isn't, you can exchange it for stuff that is.
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