Cable connection issue

I just installed a CAT5e cable for a home network. I have a desktop machine plugged directly into a LinkSys BEFSR41 4 port router with a patch cable. I have a laptop on the opposite side of the room connected to the router via a patch cable to one RJ45 terminated end of the CAT5e cable with the other RJ45 terminated end connected to the router with another patch cable (router -> patch cable -> (RJ45) CAT5e (RJ45) -> patch cable -> laptop).
My issue is that the laptop connection only works when the 1st patch cable is plugged into the uplink port of the router. When I plug the patch cable into one of the other regular ports, the message on the laptop's network icon says the cable is unplugged.
Any ideas?
The patch cables are stamped as conforming to the 568A standard. I terminated both ends of the CAT5e cable according to the 568B standard. Is this ok as long as both ends are terminated the same way?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

1. RE: Cable connection issue
lbyard Jan-21-02 11:20 PM
In response to message 0

>I terminated both ends of the CAT5e cable according to the 568B standard. Is this ok as long as both ends are terminated the same way?
Yes.
I'd inspect the plugs on those “patch” cables by holding them side-by-side with the clips away. The order of the wires should be identical. If they are different then you probably have a (one) crossover cable and that would explain why it works in the uplink port and not the others. Also, many switches/routers share the 1st normal port with the uplink port and both cannot be used at once. Larry

2. RE: Cable connection issue
karlpl Jan-22-02 04:49 PM
In response to message 1

Thanks Larry. It turned out one of the patch cables was actually a crossover cable. So I replaced it with a pass through patch cable and it worked.
Question: Can patch cables be either pass through or crossover? I thought if it was a crossover cable it should be labeled as such on the outside.

3. RE: Cable connection issue
lbyard Jan-22-02 06:12 PM
In response to message 2

>Can patch cables be either pass through or crossover?
Patch cables are shorter straight-thru cables. The spec recommends stranded core wire and no longer than 3 meters. In this regard, I and others don’t always do what the spec recommends (I do make cables that work). Straight-thru cables can be “patch” cables or a cable that is usually longer, such as “horizontal wiring” between a wring closet and a “work area.” Crossover cables are crossover cables.
>I thought if it was a crossover cable it should be labeled as such on the outside.
It would be nice if all of them were. Mine aren’t. Using a different color may also be useful.
Larry