Ethernet Cable Wont plug in

[Clarkbayles]

Ok, I am not an idiot and I know the difference between a phone line and Ethernet. I have an Ethernet to USB cable that has a tiny tab on the side and wont plug into my port. It also looks like it has 10 pins instead of 8. Any ideas of what this cable actually is and can I shave the tab and make it work?
thanks

 

[kaptainkuftic]

On the side of the Ethernet cable, it should say somewhere "CAT____" where the '___' is a number. What's that number?

I don't know that an Ethernet cable with 5 twisted pairs is a thing, but I guess maybe it is? Could you provide a picture?

 

[boosted1g]

Never heard of any RJ type of port with 10 pins (ie 5 twisted pairs of cable).

Is the Ethernet part the male or female plug?
Do you have a link or at least part number for this item?

 

[Alabalcho]

It could be something else, not an USB-to-Ethernet 😉, and making it NOT to plug into RJ45 socket is probably a wise design solution.

 

[kaptainkuftic]

Never heard of any RJ type of port with 10 pins (ie 5 twisted pairs of cable).

Is the Ethernet part the male or female plug?
Do you have a link or at least part number for this item?

It would say "CAT___" on the male portion, that is to say, on the actual cord. But I think I could help more with a picture of all the parts you're working with.

 

[Alabalcho]

Never heard of any RJ type of port with 10 pins (ie 5 twisted pairs of cable).

There are 10-pin RJ connectors (RJ48, if I remember correctly) used in eg Cisco equipment as serial connection.

 

[kaptainkuftic]

http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-rj45-and-rj48/

Does this help at all then?

 

[jsmithepa]

Well then this maybe a specialized cable intended for a particular piece of equipment, like Cisco as mentioned, and not intended to be used on a standard ethernet port. U may damage the PC if you force it. The extra tab is purposely placed there so you DON'T plug it in into a standard ethernet.