How to test a network cable?

Understanding how to test a network cable A network cable is a type of ethernet network cable that brings an internet connection to TVs and computers. If you’re having connection problems on your devices, then the problem may be a faulty cable. To test the cable, plug it into a network cable tester and see if it successfully transmits a signal. ClickAway can do this for you quickly with our in-person house/office call service . If you don’t have a network cable tester, there are other troubleshooting tests to tell if the problem is the cable or your modem. Check internet cable connection on TV or computer Confirm network cable is fully plugged in Look for a green light on the back of the modem Inspect cable for any physical damage Use a new cable to see if connection improves Connecting and fixing internet cables can be a daunting task if you decide to do it yourself. ClickAway’s networking specialist will come to your Bay Area business or home - we have loads of experience with how to test a network cable. We take care of all the little details that go into making the bigger picture. You can learn more about ClickAway on Diamond Certified , our website or other sources. Warning: Why Duct Tape Can't Be Used To Insulate Wires and Cables One of the few things duct tape can't do well is insulate wires . Duct tape uses cloth fibers in its backing, which, when placed up against electrically charged wires, can dry out over time and possibly even catch fire; especially, when they carry high voltages of electricity. If it's torn, chewed, frayed or otherwise damaged, just replace it.

How to connect a laptop to the TV

So you want to get the media on your laptop on the big screen in your living room? It's really quite easy to connect a laptop to the TV. ClickAway can do this for you or we'll give you some step by step instructions. You can either do this wirelessly or you can use a cable (HDMI). How do I connect a laptop to the TV with a cable? All flat-screen TVs offer at least one HDMI port, as do practically all non-Apple laptops that have been manufactured in the last eight years. HDMI is just about the best solution at the moment to connect a laptop to the TV, as it supports both audio and video (HD and beyond). All you need, therefore, is an HDMI cable to connect the two. You could spend a small fortune on expensive HDMI cables, but the truth of the matter is that for HD video transmitted from your laptop, any HDMI cable will do. It's connected, now what? After you connect a laptop to the TV with the right cable you're half way there. You also need to switch your TV to the correct input, plus configure your laptop or MacBook to re-route its display through the TV. This may happen automatically, but if it doesn't – or you want to configure the display differently, continue reading. PC laptop users should be able to cycle through the available display options using a special function key in conjunction with the [Fn] button. Keep pressing this to cycle between laptop display only, TV only, and laptop and TV together. Alternatively, right-click the desktop in Windows to select screen resolution; from here you'll be able to manually detect and select your TV's display. How do I connect a MacBook to my smart TV? The latest MacBook models require a USB Type-C adapter to connect them to your TV. Apple provides a Digital AV Multiport Adapter, but if you want a simple USB-C to HDMI connection at HD quality, you can get away with a more affordable Anker USB-C to HDMI Adapter. MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros ship with Thunderbolt ports that double up as Mini Display Ports – this allows you to skip right past the adapter to simply having a USB-C to Display Port cable. Just make sure it supports 4K resolutions like the Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort. If this already sounds too confusing, give ClickAway a call and we can set this up for your quickly. What cables do I need to connect older laptops? If you're not worried about streaming in HD – when connecting up to an older CRT television, for example – then the best option is to use the S-Video port. It doesn't provide High Definition (HD) quality, and only carries the video signal, so you'll also need to hook up a separate audio cable (typically from your laptop's 3.5mm headphone jack) to the audio inputs on your TV. Your TV will need one of two things: either separate S-Video and phono audio ports, usually found on the front of the TV, or a SCART socket found on the back. You'll then need to purchase an S-Video cable of suitable length, along with a separate audio cable. If necessary, purchase a SCART adapter to connect both sets of cables to your TV. How do I connect a laptop to the TV wirelessly? If you don’t like the look (or hassle) of trailing cables in your home, it's easier and cheaper than ever to connect to your TV wirelessly these days. For example, if your flat-screen TV is a smart model with support for DLNA media streaming, then you can send movies, photos and other media files directly from a smart device to it without the need for any additional hardware – just locate the right app on your TV to receive the content. You'll then need a suitable app for your laptop or mobile that allows you to send or stream content using DLNA. There are simple, relatively unsophisticated solutions such as AllCast for iOS and Android – this lets you display locally stored media as well as media hosted on another local DLNA server, or in the cloud via supported services (including Dropbox, Google Drive and Instagram). If you're serious about streaming media, then it’s worth considering using a full-blown media server solution like Kodi . As an open-source player that offers basic media server capabilities and works on everything except non-jailbroken iOS devices, Kodi is compatible with almost every streaming service imaginable. You can also use a VPN, or virtual private network, to encrypt your connection and stream content from literally anywhere in the world. ExpressVPN , for instance, offers dedicated Mac, PC, and Linux apps and includes more than 140 different VPN locations.

How To Reset A Router

Reset a router and modem if you suspect your network isn't working as it should. Maybe web pages aren't loading, Netflix freezes halfway through a movie, or your smart speakers suddenly stop playing music. Whatever the case may be, restarting the router gives it time to cool off and flush out its memory. Sometimes, especially with older hardware, having the router on and working in overdrive for too long is enough to demand a restart. Steps To Reset A Router: Unplus both router and modem. If you have other managed network hardware, such as a network switch, unplug that hardware too. Wait at least 30 seconds Plug the modem back in Wait at least 60 seconds Plug the router back in Wait at least 2 minutes Test to see if the problem was fixed Network Computer Router A Frequent Fix To Router Problems 75% Of The Time Resetting a router is one of the simplest troubleshooting steps you can take to fix your Wi-Fi connection. We know this answer can be annoying but the fact is, resetting a router fixes a lot of problems. Restarting also fixes problems with network hardware, such as a digital modem (be it cable, DSL, satellite, or fiber) as wells as a router. Did your smartphone and laptop both lose connection to the internet? Is your NAS no longer showing up on your desktop? Are your connected devices sluggish when it comes to streaming and browsing online? If so, reboot the router and modem. Rebooting network hardware corrects network and internet issues 75 percent of the time or more. The router and modem must be restarted in the right order for the reboot to fix the problem. If the devices are not rebooted in the correct order, you could lose internet connectivity completely. If Resetting Doesn't Work? If rebooting the router and modem didn't fix the problem, You need more specific troubleshooting methods for the network or internet use. ClickAway can do this for you or continue with DIY tips. If the modem has trouble getting a signal from your ISP (the first three lights aren't solid), contact your ISP for help. Otherwise, look closer at the network setup inside your home. A Reboot Doesn't Change Your Settings There is a fundamental difference between resetting a router or modem and rebooting one. One is more temporary than the other and both are used for unique purposes. A Reset Reverts to Factory Settings To reset a router or modem is the short version of a factory reset of the device, which means removing the wireless settings and other configurations. Resetting puts the router or modem in its original default state before any changes were made to it, which includes reinstating the default router password, clearing the Wi-Fi password, deleting custom DNS servers, and more. Reset a modem or router by using the Reset button that's usually located on the back or side of the device. How Often Should I Reboot My Router? There is no hard and fast rule about how often to restart your router. For smoother performance overall, consider taking this step on some schedule outside of addressing sluggish network issues as they arise. You may prefer to create your own weekly or monthly routine or look to the router’s manufacturer for guidance .

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You know the value of connections and we make some of the most important connections in life and business through networking. It’s the same concept that helps you connect all of your devices in your home or small office. By networking all of your home or small office devices, you add value.

At ClickAway, our mission is to help you get the most out of your digital experience. We want to connect and partner with you to help you get the best use out of your computers, internet connection, printers, and TV and game systems.

Connecting all of these devices can be a daunting task if you decide to do it yourself. ClickAway’s networking specialist will come to your Bay Area or Northern California home and take care of all the little details that go into making the bigger picture.

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