News Flash: USB and Ethernet Not Interchangeable!

[roo_ster]

...and stuffing a USB cable end into one of a machines ethernet ports plays havoc with ethernet connectivity on the other port.

How do I come by this esoteric knowledge?  Was it handed down from Mount Sighohmy to me on silicon tablets, etched into them by the the Finger of Moore?

Nope, a "friend⁽¹⁾" of mine was starting up his laptop on its docking station and felt alongside the lappy with the USB cable and found it fit where he expected to find a USB port.  "He" spent about a half hour fiddling with his switch and ethernet cabling before stumbling on the cause.  Silly "friend."





(1) In actuality roo_ster's eviler and dumber twin, rets_oor.

[Ben]

Okay, this is a crackup only because I had to diagnose a co-worker's connectivity problems a couple of weeks ago. I'd just gotten her a Dell laptop / docking station (she'd previously had a desktop).

She decided she didn't like where I had put the dock on her desk, so rearranged everything, to include rerouting cables. When she was done, she had no connectivity and called me. She had the cat5 end plugged directly into the laptop ethernet port (disabled while plugged into the dock) and a USB cable jammed into the ethernet port on the dock.

[RevDisk]

...and stuffing a USB cable end into one of a machines ethernet ports plays havoc with ethernet connectivity on the other port.

Actually, you can do this if you have the right adapter.   

[KD5NRH]

...and stuffing a USB cable end into one of a machines ethernet ports plays havoc with ethernet connectivity on the other port.

Especially if said USB cable is wired to a 3-phase outlet.

For real fun, wire one phase to USB and the other to ethernet.

[AJ Dual]

(This will date you)

Who here has ever grabbed a VGA/SVGA connector and the outer shield/connector of a BNC RG-58 Ethernet cable at the same time?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT! 

[never_retreat]

I pulled a computer out from under a desk on time to find a pencil sticking out of the power supply.
I proceed to ask the user why is that there? The answer, It was making noise.  

I shared a hotel room once with a coworker. Come back in the evening go to plug in my cell phone charger.
Can't find it in the pile of electronics we had on the table. (had 2 power strips full of chargers) So I go though them one at a time looking for the one that says Motorola. Find it, find other end jammed into his camcorder. WTF? He screwed up the plug end of my charger in the process, for which he received a dead leg for that night.

[KD5NRH]

Who here has ever grabbed a VGA/SVGA connector and the outer shield/connector of a BNC RG-58 Ethernet cable at the same time?

VGA?  My first <INSERT PORT HERE>killer was CGA.   

[Brad Johnson]

VGA?  My first <INSERT PORT HERE>killer was CGA.   

Monochrome green screen.

Brad

[Monkeyleg]

Hell, just reach inside a CRT monitor or TV and touch the capacitor.

How in the world does someone get a USB cable to fit in an ethernet port?

[GigaBuist]

How in the world does someone get a USB cable to fit in an ethernet port?

They're the same width.  It's pretty easy to do. 

[Nick1911]

Monochrome green screen.

Brad

Teletype.  'nuff said.










 

[Harold Tuttle]

http://www.fiftythree.org/etherkiller/

[MechAg94]

Might need to think about some different Christmas presents.  
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Brilliant-Basics-Baby-s-First-Blocks/6006715



Do these people break USB plugs by trying to jam them in upside down?  

[lee n. field]

http://www.fiftythree.org/etherkiller/

The Sonicwall I'm behind right now thinks that's naughty.  I know what one is, though.  Bwa-ha-ha!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Brilliant-Basics-Baby-s-First-Blocks/6006715

"Develop end user motor skills and learning abilities with the Fisher-Price End User Blocks, Brilliant Basics. This classic user toy comes with a sturdy storage bucket with shape-sorting lid and handle for carrying. The lid has five shape openings, and ten colorful shaped blocks are included....Fisher-Price End User Blocks, Brilliant Basics includes two of each: power cord, VGA cable, PS/2 keyboard and mouse, network and USB "

[MechAg94]

....Fisher-Price End User Blocks, Brilliant Basics includes two of each: power cord, VGA cable, PS/2 keyboard and mouse, network and USB "

There you go.  They are thinking ahead.  Teach those kids to properly connect common computer and entertainment system cables while they are young and willing to learn.   

[never_retreat]

Good idea but what you teach them in grade school will be obsolete by high school.

[MechAg94]

Good idea but what you teach them in grade school will be obsolete by high school.

I don't know.  That DOS stuff I learned in junior high is still useful sometimes.  Less and less though.