A bunch of useless crap
Published on March 18, 2007 By MasonM In Blogging
Well, the desk clerk thinks so anyway. I was about 75% through a large download (Linux distro ISO) when the WiFi connection lost connectivity with the internet. Grrrrrr the front desk after ensuring it wasn't some problem on my end (of course not, my system is perfect LOL). I told her that their system had lost connection to the internet and couldn't even issue an IP address. naturally she had no idea what an IP address was but said she'd check it out.

After a few minutes without any improvement I grabbed my cane and shuffled up to the front desk. She said that their router was on but she had checked her computer and it couldn't connect to the net either. I told her I used to work in the IT business and maybe I could see if there was something I could do to correct the problem.

She wasn't too enthusiastic about letting a guest have access to their system but she showed me to the little room where their gear was located. I checked all of the wiring connections (very sloppy work by whomever did the wiring - I hate sloppy work) and everything seemed fine. The router indicated a loss of signal to the internet. I unplugged the router, waited a few seconds, and then plugged it back in. It cycled through it's boot sequence and the LED for an internet signal still didn't light. Hmmm.

I then examined the cable junction box to see if perhaps there was a loose cable connection. While the fittings were all nice and tight one of the cables didn't look right to me. I unthreaded the fitting and sure enough the cable's center conductor was a tad too short for my liking. As the fitting were the variety that don't require a crimping tool (PPC) I removed the fitting, pulled out my handy dandy pocket knife. cut off the end of the cable, redressed it to proper specs, and reinstalled the fitting. As I didn't have the proper PPC tool that seats the fitting I improvised using my pocket knife and the top of the chair rail on the wall. I got a good seat on the fitting and rethreaded it to the splitter. I then rebooted the router again and the connection was re-established to the net.

The desk clerk was very impressed, thanked me profusely, said that she would let the hotel owner know that he owed me a few bucks for fixing their internet service. I told her that wasn't necessary as I just wanted my network connection working again.

It's handy to have a few skills now and then.

Comments
on Mar 18, 2007
And yes, misspelling "genius" was intentional.
on Mar 18, 2007
Braggart!  I got the crimping tools! Now I am out of work because of a teddy bear with a pocketl knife!
on Mar 18, 2007

Braggart!  I got the crimping tools! Now I am out of work because of a teddy bear with a pocketl knife!


Hey, I needed my net connection, what can I say?

Actually I have crimping tools at home for just about every type of crimped wiring connection ever made. I collected them over the years of working in the industry. Coring and splicing tools too. The only ones I don't have are fiber splicing tools and that's only due to the high cost of those.
on Mar 18, 2007
I could viualize the whole process without pictures. You have a knack for description. Ever consider teaching? Technical writing?
on Mar 18, 2007
Genuis indeed...
on Mar 18, 2007

I could viualize the whole process without pictures. You have a knack for description. Ever consider teaching? Technical writing?




In my past I was a High School Teacher (electronics, physics,and applied math) for a couple of years and during my engineering career was a technical trainer for over 5 years. I also wrote a number of technical manuals over the course of several years.

Now I'm just a dumb old truck driver.
on Mar 18, 2007
In my past I was a High School Teacher (electronics, physics,and applied math) for a couple of years and during my engineering career was a technical trainer for over 5 years. I also wrote a number of technical manuals over the course of several years.

  well I guess that explains it then; like me you are definitely not just the job.

on Mar 19, 2007

In my past I was a High School Teacher (electronics, physics,and applied math) for a couple of years and during my engineering career was a technical trainer for over 5 years. I also wrote a number of technical manuals over the course of several years.

  well I guess that explains it then; like me you are definitely not just the job.




Nah yer a doctor. I'm just a dumb southern redneck trying to get by in life.
on Mar 19, 2007
I'm just a dumb southern redneck trying to get by in life.


That and a smartass too!!


Kudos to you for having such a handy dandy pocket knife!lol!

on Mar 19, 2007
That and a smartass too!


I've never denied it.
on Mar 19, 2007

slacker!


Yep, that too