RJ11 cable

lyns_2

Hi all
silly question i know but i have just upgraded to aol broadband and the RJ11 cable is way to short.Do i need a certain one as the prices vary a lot or will they all do the job need it to go up the stairs.
Thanks lyns

Rex_Mundi

You can use an RJ11 extension cable, but a far better option would be to use the short RJ11 cable to your router from your phone socket, and use a CAT5 (or CAT5e) cable from the router to the computer. This is much less likely to be affected by any possible interference, and give a much more stable data transfer rate (RJ11 extension cables can sometimes affect, or slow down your internet speeds). CAT5 on an ethernet network (from the router to the computer) could be used easily for distances of up to 100 metres.

albertross_2

Can't you use the one you had before.

Did you get a free wireless router?

lyns_2

let me get this right so instead of buying the RJ11 buy a longer version of the other cable that came with the set.Any ideas of the best place to get one from as im being charged by the minute on dial up now

lyns_2

albertross wrote:

Can't you use the one you had before.

Did you get a free wireless router?

No its not wireless it was on AOL silver £9.99 a month the lead i had for dial up is just a phone extension lead

Rex_Mundi

lyns wrote:

let me get this right so instead of buying the RJ11 buy a longer version of the other cable that came with the set.Any ideas of the best place to get one from as im being charged by the minute on dial up now

The other cable is a CAT5 patch cable. Yes, it would be a better option to get a longer version of this rather than the RJ11 cable.

Maplins do various lengths of pre-made CAT5e cable (with the plugs fitted). I've found B&Q very cheap for just the cable (not made up already, you need to fit the RJ45 plugs yourself). Might be worth checking B&Q to see if they sell various lengths of made up cable (they may be cheaper than Maplins).

albertross_2

Have you moved the PC? If not, use the telephone lead you had before.

This says silver, free wireless router, but 14.99?

http://info.aol.co.uk/broadband/broadband-silver.adp

lyns_2

albertross wrote:

Have you moved the PC? If not, use the telephone lead you had before.

This says silver, free wireless router, but 14.99?

http://info.aol.co.uk/broadband/broadband-silver.adp

It was a offer for those on aol dial up so it worked out a bit cheaper to change

will i still get a good ? if i use the phone lead as you can tell im not very good when it comes to the pc last time i tried to do something with it i had to pay £55 to get it fixed:o

albertross_2

Provided you have a filter on every phone, it should be fine, you have all the equipment, so just try it..

If not you could go down the cat5 or even wireless route.

Benjie_2

I wouldnt suggest using an RJ11 extension that you would normally use for a phone. I had the misfortune of doing so when I had to relocate my PC and doing so dropped my connection speeds terribly as the cable was poor quality. Luckily I had a wireless router on the way! In your case i would suggest the same as everyone else, wireless or CAT5 cable. Cat5 cable length wont affect your internet speeds for a good long distance :P Unless you plan on putting your computer 100m away from your router/modem!

Rex_Mundi

Benjie wrote:

I wouldnt suggest using an RJ11 extension that you would normally use for a phone. I had the misfortune of doing so when I had to relocate my PC and doing so dropped my connection speeds terribly as the cable was poor quality.

RJ11 extension cables are a well known possible cause of poor speeds on broadband, and should always be on the list of things to check out if speed problems occur. They are always best avoided if possible.

The extension used for a dialup connection would have a RJ11 plug from the modem to a normal BT plug on the other end (it doesn't fit. or need any filters at the phone end, it plugs straight into the BT socket). Broadband uses RJ11 to RJ11 from the router/modem to the filter.

It would seem silly in this instance to buy a wireless router when you have a free wired one.

CAT5 cable would do the job very well in this case without causing any possible problems with the broadband speed.