I just moved into a brand new house within the last week. I paid the builder to install three CAT 5e lines throughout the house. I moved my four computers into the new home (I ran my own CAT 5e cable in the basement for the forth one).

The computer with my own CAT 5e runs fine at 100Base FD.

When I connected the other computers to the builder's outlets, the computers refuse to make a connection. The lights on the NICs flash and the router lights come on, but data won't transfer. Each computer shows data packets going out, but 0 for received.

I fiddled with the other three computers for a while and discovered this: if I go to each computer and change the NIC settings to force 10Base HD then they work fine, but any other settings refuse to work.

I have run my own CAT 5e cable through the house along the floor just to test each computer and the router. They all work fine at 100Base FD with MY cable.

Isn't CAT 5e supposed to support up to 1000 Mb/s, yet I can't even get his to run at 100 Mb/s. BTW, I did check the cables the builder used and they all say "CAT 5e" on them.

What would be causing this problem? Three bad cables? Bad ends? Incorrect wiring at the outlet? Too long of cable? (mine works fine with 75ft).

I'm going to have a talk with the builder soon about this (everything is warrantied for a year), but I don't think he knows much about computers and I need to explain to him what he needs to do.

Is there a switch or hub somewhere?

They make and sell very cheap diag tools for basic tests. Maybe a simple vom might tell you enough. Might have to rent a TDR or Megger to see more. Might have to use a scan tool to sweep for other rf.

Fist check that all the connections are as you require. Then take note of any things that could cause this issue. Did it ever work? Did siding nails go into the wires? Did you have light ballasts that are next to the wires.

Next time you would have to check the progress or have some sort of design agreement. Cat5e cable and a system that is rated for some specification are very different words in a court.

You may have to prove it is bad if the builder refuses to repair the system. They may be willing to provide tech support for such an install but you may have to pay if they find you (somehow) did the damage.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.

I'm going to have a talk with the builder soon about this (everything is warrantied for a year), but I don't think he knows much about computers and I need to explain to him what he needs to do.

What you need to do is get a tester on those cables. And I'm not talking the $20.00 tester with blinking lights. You need something that can test and certify.

My opinion, it's wired incorrectly. But, without putting my tester on it, I can't say for sure (altho I could probably tell you just by comparing the wiring at each end).

You could call any cabling/electrical company and ask them how much they would charge to test those cables for you, or you could ask him (the builder) to do it (and pay for it). If I'm correct, and they cables are punched incorrectly, he could also repunch them the right way for you while he's there.

simply compare the wiring color codes to those posted on the net for a straight thru like this:
http://www.bbdsoft.com/rj45.html

Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

Not a bad idea wanderer but that won't tell you if there's something wrong with the wires halfway between the ends. I've had it happen where a poorly made wire, or one that got stretched while pulling it, was bad in the middle.

The only real answer for this is to put a real tester on the cables and test/certify them.

I agree with Curt