Smoke from network switch, did usb-lan adapter do it?

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boju

boju

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Jul 7, 2008
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Hi,

Got a usb to rj45 adapter dongle for my wii U, this is the adapter;
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=XC4884

Had trouble trying to connect the Nintendo WiiU using this. Searching around i tried a method after reading about plugging the usb adapter into the pc usb port and finding the mac address by typing ipcongfig /all to connect the WiiU manually.

Anyhow couldn't find the mac address listed so i thought id connect an ethernet cable from the usb adapter to switch to see if it would change anything, still wasn't working.

At this point im still searching on the net for more info with the usb dongle + network cable still connected to switch from pc. Oblivious to whats happening, i smell a burning electrical smell. It got pretty bad quick and smelt around for the electrical smell and seen the switch was smoking!

The usb slot from the pc is usb2, wondering can a usb to rj45 dongle adapter short a network switch over a network cable?

Cheers.


 
Solution
Someone Somewhere
You need a USB to ethernet adapter. While ethernet uses the same plug, it's not using the same protocol or wiring.

I can't see one from Jaycar, though they do have a USB hub with an ethernet port, which might do it, but you need the right driver so it's better to get it from Nintendo.
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Someone Somewhere

Someone Somewhere

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Sep 23, 2012
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Cat5 is not LAN or Ethernet. Cat5 is a cable. Just because they use the same plug doesn't mean standards are interchangeable, as you've just found out.

That's a USB to USB over Cat5 adapter, not a USB to ethernet adapter. While your switch should be able to survive miswiring, it looks like it didn't.

You need to get a USB to ethernet adapter, and possibly a new switch.
 
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boju

boju

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yea thanks, got rid of the switch and replaced it. Opened it up and had seen the damage.

So the other half of that package is what gave it away? i thought it was just an option for male/female.

I'm guessing those two pieces are meant to be joined together and if it was so and connecting to a switch you reckon it wont short the switch?

Nintendo should have just made their console with an rj45 plug...Anyhow, going around retail stores could not find the adapter nintendo uses, so bought the one above.

This is the picture of Nintendo's i easily got confused with.
qbue1267001572906.jpg


In the end, the wifi was ok, not as good as i thought it would be but manageable and from what i read, the adapter might have been slower anway.




 
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Someone Somewhere

Someone Somewhere

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Sep 23, 2012
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You need a USB to ethernet adapter. While ethernet uses the same plug, it's not using the same protocol or wiring.

I can't see one from Jaycar, though they do have a USB hub with an ethernet port, which might do it, but you need the right driver so it's better to get it from Nintendo.
 
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Solution
boju

boju

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Thanks Someone Somewhere that makes more sense. I read the link to jaycar again and noticed 'transmit and receiver' part.

Wished i took more notice of that before.

Thanks for the help mate.

Nintendo are pretty pricey but in this case not so much ;P
 
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