Should an RJ45 jack be able to plug into a laptops ethernet port

Pacing Mule

Hi lads - I am trying to connect a toshiba laptop to a network. The network has cat 5e cabling with RJ45s at the end. The RJ45 will not fit into my laptop - it goes in up to a point but does not click in. The connection is not made. I used this in an internet cafe before which had what looked like the same RJ45 connection and all was grand. Have tried it on 3 or 4 different points with the same result - a fraction too big.

I'm not trying to connect it to a phone socket in the PC before anyone wonders so my question is basically should there be a different jack on the end of this line or do I have an issue with the laptop itself.

Thanks in advance

docmol

RJ45 is the correct jack for the ethernet port allright (I was going to say make sure it's not the telephone port you are trying..). Can you try a different patch cable? Sometimes the jack can get damaged causing it to fit badly. If the jack is damaged, and you manage to wiggle it in, you might have a nightmare getting it out again!

Pacing Mule

I've tried a few jacks at different points - also the network cable that came with the modem too. Same issue just seems a fraction too tight. I just wanted to make sure that I was correct in assuming that the RJ45 is what should be going into the slot. Looks like a physical issue with the laptop.