Windows 7: Router cable

At the moment my router is in one room and my computer is in another room about 30 feet away so in an attempt to improve signal reception I am considering running a cable from Virgins inlet box up through the attic and then down into the room where the computer is and install the router alongside the computer.My question is what signal loss would result from adding about 50/60 feet of cable from Virgins inlet box to my router and is it a special type of cable or is it just uhf as for television signals.Would also need two of the screwed end connecters and could I obtain them at any electronics store?.

This is just a guess on my part because I'm not familiar with how routers are cabled in the UK and more specifically, with Virgin's equipment. But if it's anything like here in the Colonies, if your ethernet is a 10/100/1000 Mbps connection you should have a theoretical max cable length of 100 meters (about 328 feet.)

ethernet maximum cable length explained at HomeNetHelp.com

This also seems to be confirmed on a BT forum thread by Nige32.

Master Socket -> Modem -> Hub/Router cabling - BTCare Community Forums

Cables can pick up electrical noise on long runs. Some cables are poorly made. The longer the cable, the more important it is for the cable to be properly shielded, and to be a good quality cable. You may want to check with your provider just to make sure the above info applies to Virgin.

Just had a chat with one of Virgins reps.and he suggested a better way would be to use powerline ethernet adapters.Are these any good?.

Yes, provided you go with a reputable company or one specifically recommended by Virgin (for compatibility purposes.) Also need to be aware of transfer speeds. If you've got a 100Mbps connection, for example, you don't want an adapter that maxes out at 54Mbps. This is what one typically looks like.

NETGEAR - Powerline Ethernet Adapter Kit - XAVB5101-100PAS

denwilliam that is a great question. I can understand that a quality of cable in the house would matter but the length makes no sense to me. They run cable (wires) for miles to get it to your house why would a few feet more matter?

Primarily has to do with the lack of shielding on typical Cat 5, 5e and 6 wiring. Unshielded wiring is much more susceptible to noise and other interference which degrades the quality of the signal.

Officially, according to the ANSI/TIA/EIA standard for category 5e copper cable (TIA/EIA 568-5-A[1]), the maximum length for a cable segment is 100 meters (328 feet). If longer runs are required, the use of active hardware such as a repeater, or a switch, is necessary.[2][3] The specifications for 10BASE-T networking specify a 100 metre length between active devices.[4]

[1] http://www.gocsc.com/UserFiles/File/...duit098765.pdf

[2] http://www.extron.com/download/files...cat5-white.pdf

[3] CAT5e Cable Wiring Schemes

[4] IEEE Std 802.3-2008, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2008, Table 13-1 ( IEEE 802.3 ETHERNET )

Thank you for your help,the one I am interested in is a Netgear and is capable of handling my download requirements.Also thanks to all others who have subscribed information to help drag me up from my ignorance.

Thanks marsmimar that is a lot of great information. One would have to have a large dwelling to need extra shielded cables. The cable in my home is Proconnect High Performance High Speed Networking cable E198 134-S 24 AWG 4F 75C UTP Verified Cat 5E 350MHz to Tiazeia 568-B 821305 FEET 03424 No4.
It's about 70 foot run with just the DSL Modem. Now I'm the ignorant one. I got this and have no idea what it means.
Denwilliam thank again for your question. It brought out a lot of good information.

I would personally recommend Devolo for Powerline adapters; I sell them where I work (alongside Netgear and TP Link) and the Netgear rep himself said that NG Homeplugs don't support jumping ring mains very well.
Devolo, on the other hand, do.

This only matters if you're going from one floor to another, though.

Thanks for that information,though mine will be on the same ground floor ring.