Laptop eating network cables?

[Terak]

Hey Guys.

I have a problem. In the past week, the network cables I have been using are bombing out. Is it possible for my laptop to somehow "break" these cables?

The problem has been the same in both cases. I lose all connectivity, my skype flickers on and off, and when I ping google.co.za every second request times out.

It is honestly the weirdest thing I have come across. Could it be my laptop or just a strange co-inki-dink that both cables have bombed out in the span of a week?

[DenSweeP]

I'd go with the notebook personally being dodgy. But are you bending the cables in any way? Are they left in the sun? are they walk on/over a lot?

Only way to really test is process of elimination. Use another cable and be very careful abut how and where you store it. If problem persists, most likely then network card.

[Terak]

Well i've had the laptop for just over 3 months. And its only been this week that its been acting weird.

As far as I know the cables are not under any amounts of stress.

How would the laptop actually mess up the cables though? Thats what I find weird...

[Crzwaco]

Does that same cable work to any other device?

[czc]

Could it be packet loss?

Maybe your network drivers need an update/reinstall

[DenSweeP]

laptop won't damage a cable. It's only if you are manhandling the cables. If the cables are going into a DSL router, it could've been lightning strike somewhere. Many many possibilities here. Test the cable on a different PC or two. Easiest way to determine if cable is crewed. Or use a cable tester if u have one

[Terak]

Well I havent tried using the broken cables on any other machines. I figured they were broken because plugging in a new one works fine on my laptop.

[Crzwaco]

Well if you have something else try the "broken" cables first and see if they are really broken since networking cables really don't break so easily.

[Terak]

My thoughts exactly. The cables I have at home are a good 10 years old and they still work like a champ

[Crzwaco]

So terak you found out the problem yet?