need help please... so my house doesn't fall down

[zskillz]

I did a brief search on the internet, but was overwhelmed with the amount of garbage that I received, so I figured I'd ask here. I'm trying to network computers on multiple floors in my parents home. Now, fortunately, I already know how to do the networking stuff, so I don't need help with that. Unfortunately, I have absolutely know idea how do drop a cat-5 line from one floor to the other while making sure that I don't do any permanent damage to the house. I'm pretty sure that I want to drill into the drywall and drop a weight down with the cabel attached so that I can drill another hole down below, but I don't know if that's the best way to do it.
Regardless... I need some serious help with this one before my mom changes her mind and says we can't do it. So if any of you have any pointers or tips or websites at all that you think would help, I would greatly appreciate it.
-Z

[C5John]

Zskillz

Is this a house with a basement? also an attic?
If so, there will be a path for plumbing to go from basement to attic. That is normally the easiest way to go from floor to floor. On upper floor go up to attic (in the wall) and then down to basement and up into first floor wall. Avoid load bearing walls if possible. Stay away from outside walls. A "fishsnake" can be helpful to push-pull wires. (a weight on a string is usually worthless) If you think that the run for a phone cable is reasonably unrestricted, (open up a phone outlet box and pull gently on the cable, if you can move it, it may be workable) you might be able to use this cable to pull a CAT5. Find the end of the phone cable, securely attach a CAT5 and a new cat3 for the phone to that cable, and now carefully pull it from the destination end while a friend feeds the cables to you from the source.

The best advice is to find an electrician that would give you a couple hours of time in exchange for some computer help.

Good Luck
C5John

[LJJones]

You dont have to run it down a wall. My house is wired up with a network without going through a wall. I have cables going from my room, across the landing, down the stairs and along the skirting into my dads office. The cable across the landing and down the stairs goes under the carpet, and the cable along the skirting is also under the carpet.
Sure, it uses much more cabling, but saves drilling. Another thing you could do that I did, not on cat5 cable but with co-oxial cable for my tv antenna, was to drill a hole through a window in my room, pass the cable trhough and seal the hole with bathroom sealer. That way the window doesnt rot, and I didnt have to make a hole in my wall. The cable then goes onto the roof for the antenna. You could do this upstairs and downstairs, then tack the cable along the wall outside down to the window below.

Its just an idea.

[zskillz]

thanks a lot gentlemen... I do appreciate the help. I don't really know many electrician type of people (not any that I can think of actually), so I'll prolly have to do it on my own cause I don't have any money either. I'll look into the plumbing route when my mom gets home today. Along the lines of the networking though (I'm no guru), I thought that signal quality dropped off significantly after the length of the cable was more than about 100 ft. If that's so, then even the shorter route is gonna be moderately close, and a longer route may not even be feasible (that may be totally wrong, but I thought that I heard it at some time).
I'll make sure to do plenty more research and planning before I actually do any cutting (unless my mom decides to help me)... then hopefully if it looks crappy, she can't blame me alone...hopefully
-Z

oh yea... if anyone else also has suggestions, please keep 'em coming

[alondra]

It is apparent you have no background in house construction, (this is not a put down). I would suggest, is posible, go to a house under construction and familiarize your self with the inner construction, what you dont see after the drywall is up, believe it or not this is how I learned to build my first house. you will see where the 2x4s will be in the way , fire blocks, sills and the like. hope this helps
Al

[Ed_S]

I started to write a long answer, but then I thought of the easiest way to help you.
Go to your local library & look at the Time-Life "Home Repair & Improvement" series of books. These are basic books written for the beginner, with lots of illustrations.
The basic wiring book has a section on wire routing.
This'll give you a good idea what you're getting into, also your mom will see that you're taking the time to learn.

One thing's certain. You WILL do damage. We all do. No biggee, drywall's cheap & easy to fix once you learn how!
One thing that's VITAL when working in a finished wall or ceiling - find out what's already in there!!! Electrical, plumbing, phone & tv cables are all possible, and you DON"T want to damage those!!

Ed

[Dave_H]

Keep in mind that inside the walls are horizontal fire blocks midway up the wall that will be tough to get by without cutting and patching drywall, and they happen to be right there at eye level where it is tough to finish of to be invisible. The plumbing or electrical chase is the best bet if available. Also, take a real good look at the house layout.
For example, behind one computer location, on the other side of the wall may be a closet or area that would be O.K. to run the wire exposed or in a nice conduit that would be out of site and allow a run from one floor to attic or basement.
Usually you will find that the shortest route will require the most cutting and patching of drywall, a longer route may avoid a lot of touch up work. Horizontal runs can be done behind baseboards to get you to a better location to go or "down" or "thru" to another area. Perhaps you have a contractor buddy that can give you a better idea as to problems you may run into.
Besides contractors and electricians, people who are real good at this are people who install surround sound systems in existing houses (retrofit).
I used to do a lot of retro fit work for plumbing and electrical work, and there almost always is a way that is not to difficult and does not involve to much in the way of opening up walls. A lot of thinking and planning can save you plenty of grief later.
Dave