skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

Basic Internet Wiring Question

15 years ago

I know very little about wiring and need some help. I have a 5 year old house with cable in each room and I believe the phone lines are wired as cat 5 or 5e, not sure which. I have a cable modem in the study with our main computer hooked up to it and a wireless router. I have a computer in my daughter's room and want to hook that up as well. I have tried a wireless adapter but for some reason that is not working. Is there a way for me to connect this to the computer in the study using the cat 5 wiring? We have a phone system where you only plug one phone plugged into a phone jack so I do not need the phone jacks in each room for phone usage. I appreciate any help you can offer, thanks, Larry

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

shadetree_bob
15 years ago
You might find someone here to help you, however I think that you would have a lot more responses over on the Computer Help forum
hexus
15 years ago
"Is there a way for me to connect this to the computer in the study using the cat 5 wiring?"

If I'm understanding what you meant, you want to connect the non working computer, directly to the working computer and share the internet connection? If so, then no you can not do that via the existing wiring. You would need what is called a cross over cable ran directly from computer to computer. You could possibly jerry rig something up, but I won't even go into that as it would be very confusing to try to explain.

You already have a wireless router, go and buy a wireless NIC for your daughters computer (not a cheap USB adapter, get an actual wireless NIC). If you can't get it to work, call the tech support number. Going wireless is going to be your cheapest and easiest option.
Related Discussions
Wiring for Internet in 2014 (Electrical bid)
Q
Comments (12)
Thanks for responses. I just want to know what I need to run right now, in 2014, so that come 6 months from now, when I get my new TV and Uverse or Cable, I'll get a great signal. We will have 6 Coax cable jacks (old school) in every room we'd ever want TV (Family Room, Kitchen, Study, Master, and 2 in basement)... those are already included, plus 5 standard phone jacks. The question is, do I need to run internet/Ethernet (cat 6?) to ALL those spots if I want to get internet on all those TVs or computers? Or will I save some money by just running it to 2 or 3 of those spots, and get the same results with the new wireless boxes? I know that 15 years ago, friends ran Coax and phone jacks into basically every room of the house with a mind towards the future, and that was certainly overboard because wiring was still needed for internet and who needs a cable jack in the bathroom... We're not super techy, nor care about running over the top sound systems. I just want to make sure that come 6 months from now we can stream some movies, watch some high def TV, and use the computers, and not have regrets about the setup. Thanks!
...See More
Basic wiring question for 2 switches in a box
Q
Comments (2)
yes pigtail two wires off of your hot, one for each switchleg.
...See More
I need help with basic wiring questions for a kitchen remodel
Q
Comments (7)
Thank you. That is basically what I thought. I should be able to remove the wires from the main box and I can cut them back as far as I can. After looking again, it appears as though the disposal is on its own circuit. The dishwasher is on its own circuit. The range is on its own circuit. So, if those breakers are the right amperage for the new units, I can run new wire from the new units to the main box and attach to the old circuit breakers. The refrigerator is not on its own circuit. The old refrigerator would make some lights dim when it kicked on. I am going to terminate those wires inside a junction box with a metal cover plate that can be accessed behind the new refrigerator. Then I am going to put the new refrigerator on the new circuit for the new GFCI outlets in the kitchen. Is that acceptable?
...See More
Wiring new home for tv, internet, phone
Q
Comments (19)
Hi As others have said, it really depends on what you want where. For example, we use Sonos extensively so regardless of whether we are running speaker cable out to wall or ceiling speakers or whether the zone players are located out in the ceiling, we know that we need additional power points for each of the zones so we work out the location and allow for them. With automated lighting/HVAC, there are complicated systems and simple ones that fit behind the light switch/interface with the unit and are simply controlled on an ios device. Again, depending on what is needed or desired we know that looking at the lighting plan and seeing what circuits/zones need to be wired eg two way will often dictate the solution. ie where you go to switch on the main lights to the living area is also a convenient location for the HVAC controls, intercom etc With entertainment, we always do multiple ethernet ports to entertainment locations as you quite often find both the TV, Xbox, cable tv also need connection to the internet and we prefer to hard wire. It is then simply a matter of running it back to a central hub to your signal source. I agree with the others it is how you want to live that needs the thought. Cheers
...See More
pharkus
15 years ago
Agree with hexus, from a different standpoint. Assuming you possess the right parts (router, NICs), wireless connection is extremely simple. Simpler, by far, than figuring out where all the wires in your house are routed. If you can't get wireless to work, you probably aren't going to get wired to work either.

Can it be done? Sure, assuming the wires in your walls are actually CAT5. I would do it - for some unexplained reason I am subconsciously clinging to wired networks - but you need to find all of the wires and remove any phone signals that might be connected to them, and they can/could be run in any way imaginable (as well as a dozen or more ways you would consider UNimaginable), so trying to figure it out via an online forum just isn't going to happen.
shadow700
15 years ago
Another option that I've used in the past is Ethernet over Power lines.

The kit costs $75 from Amazon and comes with two "wall wart" units.

You plug one into a power outlet in the study and one into a power outlet in your daughter's room. In the study, connect an ethernet cable from your router to the unit. Do the same between your daughter's computer and the unit in her room. Like magic, your daughter's computer is now connected to the router.

I've used this successfully many times when (a) the person I was helping had no chance of tracing or getting wires to the appropriate locations and (b) wireless just didn't want to reach the location.

I just checked Amazon and there is a $20 rebate, so the total cost is $55. Go to amazon.com and search for "B000QGBC8C"

Related Stories

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

GREEN BUILDING Going Solar at Home: Solar Panel Basics

By Christine Tusher

Save money on electricity and reduce your carbon footprint by installing photovoltaic panels. This guide will help you get started

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

WORKING WITH PROS 12 Questions Your Interior Designer Should Ask You

By Mike Dietrich

The best decorators aren’t dictators — and they’re not mind readers either. To understand your tastes, they need this essential info

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

By Laura Gaskill

Here’s what you should find out before selecting an agent to sell your home

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

Sponsored

More Discussions

Glow effect on portico ceiling

14

undercounter power strip and lighting

3

Is Hubbell the only UL listed pop-up outlet for NYC Kitchen island?

4

Where to place outlets in primary bathroom?

11

challenging lighting situation - under upper flight of stairs

13