Ethernet Question

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DougieB

New Member
*Beginner, sorry!* Just bought a used cable modem, Motorola Surfboard SB5100, and I want to use it on my Compaq Evo D510 SFF. The ethernet plug on the cable modem has a small port and the desktop only has a large port. How do I bridge this gap??
 
Is this what the back looks like?

s04p006_motorolaSB5100-back.jpg


You aren't referring to the USB port are you?
 
Exactly. I have a USB cord that works but I bought it used and I don't have the installation cd. I've got an ethernet cord that fits into the cable modem, but the cord on the back of my desktop has a larger port.

If the picture works right (sorry it's a small pic) but it shows the size of the ethernet port on the back of the compaq.
 
That is an ethernet port as well, they don't make ports larger then an ethernet port on consumer computers. You aren't using a phone cord are you?
 
Sorry I'm very unknowledgable on the subject... But I have a standard ethernet cord that fits in the slot on the desktop for the internet. That cord has the same sized plug on either end. It won't fit into this modem...

I know it's a standard sized ethernet cable, it fits in the other modem in our house. I believe the size is 10/100.
 
DougieB said:
Sorry I'm very unknowledgable on the subject... But I have a standard ethernet cord that fits in the slot on the desktop for the internet. That cord has the same sized plug on either end. It won't fit into this modem...

I know it's a standard sized ethernet cable, it fits in the other modem in our house. I believe the size is 10/100.
Click to expand...
I'm a bit confused, because earlier you said "I've got an ethernet cord that fits into the cable modem, but the cord on the back of my desktop has a larger port.". The port on the back of the modem and the network port on your computer are the same size, there is no reason why it wouldn't fit. The only thing I can think of is that you are trying to use a smaller phone cord (which will fit by the way) instead of an ethernet cable, or you are trying to use a dial-up modem port on your computer.

This isn't the best example, but this is to show you the differences between the sizes.

DSCN1321-pp.jpg


And here is an example comparing a phone cord to an ethernet cord.

ethinst_prep5.jpg
 
Last edited:
rj11rj45sidecr.jpg


Which one looks more like the one you are using?
If you have an ethernet cable there is no reason why this shouldn't work.
 
Those were the pictures I was looking for online to compare. I have a cat 5 cable that doesn't fit into the SB5100... I tried using the phone cable and it fit into the modem.... Did I get the wrong modem?
 
Quiltface said:
rj11rj45sidecr.jpg


Which one looks more like the one you are using?
If you have an ethernet cable there is no reason why this shouldn't work.
Click to expand...
Why did you post that? The picture I posted is much clearer.

DougieB said:
Those were the pictures I was looking for online to compare. I have a cat 5 cable that doesn't fit into the SB5100... I tried using the phone cable and it fit into the modem.... Did I get the wrong modem?
Click to expand...
A CAT 5 cable WILL fit into the SB5100, it's a cable modem. Do you have another ethernet cable you could try? A phone cable will fit, but there will be extra space on the left and right, and it will also not work.

Can you take a photo trying to fit the CAT 5 cable into the back of the modem? I'd like to see what exactly you are looking at.
 
[-0MEGA-];1468814 said:
Is this what the back looks like?

s04p006_motorolaSB5100-back.jpg


You aren't referring to the USB port are you?
Click to expand...

omegas already posted one i think the issue is your cable post a pic of your cable if possible
 
I posted it at the same time as you did... and i agree. Well at least I sat on the page before you posted your pic.
 
Not at home, but I'll post one up later on. Thanks for the help guys, I'll definitely keep in touch for this one.
 
I'll get to it this afternoon after work. Thanks for all the help guys. It's funny though, the modem looks exactly like the picture in the first post.... I'm hoping I'm just crazy
 
I was crazy, I guess the ethernet cable I was using was bent cause it just didn't fit. Got a new one though and it works. Lights for *Power* and *Sent* and *PC Activity* are on but not internet. Anything else I need to make sure of so I can get connected?
 
DougieB said:
I was crazy, I guess the ethernet cable I was using was bent cause it just didn't fit. Got a new one though and it works. Lights for *Power* and *Sent* and *PC Activity* are on but not internet. Anything else I need to make sure of so I can get connected?
Click to expand...
Excellent! You need to call up your ISP before you can use a new modem.
 
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