Mark Abene <phiber@radicalmedia.com>  wrote:
 > Thanks to all who replied.  Don Lewis steered me in the right direction.
 > Turns out I was using UTP cable with solid wires, and crimping with RJ-45
 > connectors meant for stranded UTP.  This results in unreliable crimps, and
 > can cause shorts or open circuits.  Beware, Radio Shack sells solid UTP, but
 > only seems to carry connectors for stranded.  Lesson learned.

You'd be surprised at how many 'cheap' patch cords you find on the
shelf of your local discount computer store that has stranded cable
crimped with connectors intended for solid cat5.

doesn't take long to recognize them by sight.