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Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me
since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri In most cases it really is that easy. The best bet is to get their supported home router option, often with WiFi, so that 1. the ISP will directly provide support, and 2. the only connections are power and the phone line. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Pete C." wrote in message
ter.com... Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri In most cases it really is that easy. The best bet is to get their supported home router option, often with WiFi, so that 1. the ISP will directly provide support, and 2. the only connections are power and the phone line. OK, great. Thanks for the quick answer. Cheri |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
In article ,
"Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote: In most cases it really is that easy. The best bet is to get their supported home router option, often with WiFi, so that 1. the ISP will directly provide support, and 2. the only connections are power and the phone line. OK, great. Thanks for the quick answer. Cheri I was going to answer, but since I did it three years ago and don't remember anything about it, I did not want to be the first. I am thinking that since I don't remember much about it, it couldn't have been that hard. I tend to hold grudges and would still be po'ed at the phone company if there were any problems. K |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote in message ... I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri Pretty easy to do. You have to install filters on all the phones. They just plug into the wall outlet and then plug the phone into the filter. Be sure not to plug the modem into a filter. There is a special filter for wall phones that hangs on the wall bracket and then hang the phone on that filter. Don't forget answering machines (if they are separate from the phone) and fax machines. If you have a phone that has one or more remote units, only the main unit that has its own phone line needs a filter . The remote units do not need a filter. If you have a monitored alarm system, call the company and tell them to come out and install a filter on their system. The hookups to the modem and computer etc is straight forward. Cables are different colors and the directions with the kit will tell you which cable goes where. Charlie |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) Plug phone cord from wall socket to dsl modem. Plug AC adapter into wall, other end into dsl modem. Connect network cable from computer to dsl modem. Install filters on all the other phone extensions. Boot computer. That's it. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) The electrical connections are easy, as previous posters have indicated. But the software/configuration can be a nightmare. It took me ~5 hours to get a friend hooked up to att/yahoo in Northern California. ATT's installation software sort of destroyed everything in its path. Your mileage may vary. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Bennett Price wrote: Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) The electrical connections are easy, as previous posters have indicated. But the software/configuration can be a nightmare. It took me ~5 hours to get a friend hooked up to att/yahoo in Northern California. ATT's installation software sort of destroyed everything in its path. Your mileage may vary. Yes, avoiding installing *any* ISP provided software is a good thing. Getting the ISP's supported home router package generally helps the novice user avoid the ISP's malware. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom
wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) The self-install kit includes DSL "modem" Splitter Filters (to put on all extension phones, fax machines, etc) cables installation CD If you follow the instructions carefully, you'll be up and running within a few minutes. No technical skills needed. You'll get an 800 number to help if you get stuck. Try to locate your modem away from motors, microwave ovens, neon lights, transformers, etc. and try to pick a location close to a phone outlet. You should also position the modem where you can easily monitor the status lights which will help with troubleshooting. You may have problems, although fixable, if you have a security system that uses the phone. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Sep 24, 11:42*am, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri It's fairly easy but not "any moron can do it" easy. It's when you have problem and have to call someone from India to try to fix it, that's when it's a real problem. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote in message
... I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri Unless you're a blonde...... |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote in message
... I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) It is easy enough that most vendors deliver with a money-back guarantee or require payment only after successful connection. -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada) |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) One word of caution: You do need good quality phone circuit wires in the wall. Almost all homes built in the last 20 years or so will be OK. Last 10 years even better. If your home is over 50 years old (pre 1960) you could be in some trouble. You may have to re-do a lot of your phone system wiring in such a case. Wait until it is proof this a problem. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) It varies. The devil is in the details. You'll need to decide whether to connect via wire or wireless, and make sure you have the appropriate hardware to do so. As others have said, you'll need to install the filter(s). That should be easy, assuming your phones are relatively new. But if your phone wiring is ancient, you may need to update parts of it. Probably the way to go is get the kit, try to make it work, but have a geek friend on call if it doesn't. I had no trouble installing mine, but when my neighbor tried, she couldn't make it work. She and I spent some time talking to a very pleasant young lady in India before we got our first connection. I'm not sure they're all as good as the one who answered our call. -- The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to minimize spam. Our true address is of the form . |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) Yes. Anyone should be able to get a DSL connection running. If your phones are noisy that is another dimension. Technology has passed much of the population. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Sep 24, 1:42*pm, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri -If you can walk upright and tie your own shoes you are qualified. Go for it! Joe |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
CJT wrote: I had no trouble installing mine, but when my neighbor tried, she couldn't make it work. She and I spent some time talking to a very pleasant young lady in India before we got our first connection. I'm not sure they're all as good as the one who answered our call. No, unfortunately they aren't. In my experience your odds of getting a competent tech at an India call center is perhaps 10% at best. Not that competent techs don't exist in India, more the competent techs in India mostly don't work support call centers. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Phil Again" wrote in message
m... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) One word of caution: You do need good quality phone circuit wires in the wall. Almost all homes built in the last 20 years or so will be OK. Last 10 years even better. If your home is over 50 years old (pre 1960) you could be in some trouble. You may have to re-do a lot of your phone system wiring in such a case. Wait until it is proof this a problem. Thanks to all for the replies. I have decided not to do it, and I do live in a house that was built in 1963. I think if I do something, I will go with Comcast Broadband, since I do know that they come to install it, and I believe it connects through the cable. I'm old now, and after reading the responses, I just don't care to DIY with electronics. Cheri |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Pete C. wrote:
Yes, avoiding installing *any* ISP provided software is a good thing. Getting the ISP's supported home router package generally helps the novice user avoid the ISP's malware. We bought our own router to avoid the ISP's monthly fee for using their router. Configuration was a mild pain but nothing a moderately experienced computer user should be unable to do. Occasionally we have to recycle the modem which the ISP provided but the router has been solid as a rock. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) Order the kit. Call tech support on a line not connected to where you are hooking up the modem or after installing the modem through provided filter/duplex plug (plugged into the correct, marked outlet). |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) As long as you adhere to two fundamental rules: 1. DO NOT make any use of any CD that comes with the package. It is not needed and will honk up your system beyond recognition. 2. Have a 12-year old male on call. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
DGDevin wrote: Pete C. wrote: Yes, avoiding installing *any* ISP provided software is a good thing. Getting the ISP's supported home router package generally helps the novice user avoid the ISP's malware. We bought our own router to avoid the ISP's monthly fee for using their router. Configuration was a mild pain but nothing a moderately experienced computer user should be unable to do. Occasionally we have to recycle the modem which the ISP provided but the router has been solid as a rock. I suggested the ISP's supported home router since then the ISP is on the hook for support of both the router and the DSL connection, so no pointing fingers at the other guy can occur, something helpful for a tech novice. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
In article ,
"HeyBub" wrote: 2. Have a 12-year old male on call. So easy a kid could do it. Unfortunately they did not include a kid in the package. rim shot |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
... Order the kit. Call tech support on a line not connected to where you are hooking up the modem or after installing the modem through provided filter/duplex plug (plugged into the correct, marked outlet). My question always is...if it's so damned easy, why is there a tech support number for installation problems? I buy things like floor lamps, appliances etc., and not one of them comes with tech support for plugging it in, now that's what I call easy.:-) Cheri |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:53:37 -0700, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom
wrote: "Phil Again" wrote in message om... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) One word of caution: You do need good quality phone circuit wires in the wall. Almost all homes built in the last 20 years or so will be OK. Last 10 years even better. If your home is over 50 years old (pre 1960) you could be in some trouble. You may have to re-do a lot of your phone system wiring in such a case. Wait until it is proof this a problem. Thanks to all for the replies. I have decided not to do it, and I do live in a house that was built in 1963. I think if I do something, I will go with Comcast Broadband, since I do know that they come to install it, and I believe it connects through the cable. I'm old now, and after reading the responses, I just don't care to DIY with electronics. Cheri In my area internet with Comcast is $87 a month, AT&T DSL Lite is $20 a month. DSL gives you a private connection, cable internet is shared with everyone in your neighborhood. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Phisherman wrote: On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:53:37 -0700, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote: "Phil Again" wrote in message om... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) One word of caution: You do need good quality phone circuit wires in the wall. Almost all homes built in the last 20 years or so will be OK. Last 10 years even better. If your home is over 50 years old (pre 1960) you could be in some trouble. You may have to re-do a lot of your phone system wiring in such a case. Wait until it is proof this a problem. Thanks to all for the replies. I have decided not to do it, and I do live in a house that was built in 1963. I think if I do something, I will go with Comcast Broadband, since I do know that they come to install it, and I believe it connects through the cable. I'm old now, and after reading the responses, I just don't care to DIY with electronics. Cheri In my area internet with Comcast is $87 a month, AT&T DSL Lite is $20 a month. DSL gives you a private connection, cable internet is shared with everyone in your neighborhood. DSL is shared with everyone in the neighborhood (Telco CO or RT) as well. Cable is normally considerably higher data rate than DSL as well. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
You are the only one to mention this very important point.
Anytime I install something new I first install my last known good image of my system. After using the AT&T CD to do the installation I had so much junk everywhere I couldn't believe it. AT&T, like Micro$oft, wanted my home page, bookmarks and many other settings changed to "their way." It would have taken hours to re-set everything. Once I found out that their CD was unnecessary (and it didn't even get the settings correct on my router -- that took a call to the help desk.) I went back and installed my last known good image of my system. G.S. On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:13:03 -0500, "HeyBub" wrote: Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) As long as you adhere to two fundamental rules: 1. DO NOT make any use of any CD that comes with the package. It is not needed and will honk up your system beyond recognition. 2. Have a 12-year old male on call. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:25:59 -0500, Gordon Shumway wrote:
You are the only one to mention this very important point. Anytime I install something new I first install my last known good image of my system. After using the AT&T CD to do the installation I had so much junk everywhere I couldn't believe it. AT&T, like Micro$oft, wanted my home page, bookmarks and many other settings changed to "their way." It would have taken hours to re-set everything. Once I found out that their CD was unnecessary (and it didn't even get the settings correct on my router -- that took a call to the help desk.) I went back and installed my last known good image of my system. The software provided by cable and phone companies is never necessary. They don't set up the router, they only provide a ton of horse**** like garbage antivirus products like mcaffee, renaming the browser "Qwest's Internet Explorer", redirecting the home and search pages, etc. They do everything but set up the internet. Alomost always, the modem is shipped already set up. It'll provide DHCP service so that the PC can automatically ask for params like IP, gateway, DNS, etc. via DHCP. All one has to do is connect PC to modem via an ethernet cable. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
"Phisherman" wrote in message
... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:53:37 -0700, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote: "Phil Again" wrote in message news:BuidnZc499HBI0fVnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@earthlink. com... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) One word of caution: You do need good quality phone circuit wires in the wall. Almost all homes built in the last 20 years or so will be OK. Last 10 years even better. If your home is over 50 years old (pre 1960) you could be in some trouble. You may have to re-do a lot of your phone system wiring in such a case. Wait until it is proof this a problem. Thanks to all for the replies. I have decided not to do it, and I do live in a house that was built in 1963. I think if I do something, I will go with Comcast Broadband, since I do know that they come to install it, and I believe it connects through the cable. I'm old now, and after reading the responses, I just don't care to DIY with electronics. Cheri In my area internet with Comcast is $87 a month, AT&T DSL Lite is $20 a month. DSL gives you a private connection, cable internet is shared with everyone in your neighborhood. Where I am, it's on a special right now for 25.00 installation 34.99 per month for six months and then 39.00 after that. Cheri |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) Let a guy friend take care of it while you make him a nice sandwich. -- Deja Vu: The feeling that somehow, somewhere, you've been kicked in the head like this before. 9/24/2008 11:19:11 PM |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:03:12 -0500, "Pete C."
wrote: [snip] In my area internet with Comcast is $87 a month, AT&T DSL Lite is $20 a month. DSL gives you a private connection, cable internet is shared with everyone in your neighborhood. DSL is shared with everyone in the neighborhood (Telco CO or RT) as well. Cable is normally considerably higher data rate than DSL as well. That's what you hear in DSL ads. It's true, but incomplete. The internet itself is shared. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:25:59 -0500, Gordon Shumway
wrote: You are the only one to mention this very important point. Anytime I install something new I first install my last known good image of my system. After using the AT&T CD to do the installation I had so much junk everywhere I couldn't believe it. AT&T, like Micro$oft, wanted my home page, bookmarks and many other settings changed to "their way." It would have taken hours to re-set everything. Once I found out that their CD was unnecessary (and it didn't even get the settings correct on my router -- that took a call to the help desk.) I went back and installed my last known good image of my system. That's one reason for using a router. You don't have to install ANYTHING of theirs on YOUR computer. G.S. On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:13:03 -0500, "HeyBub" wrote: Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) As long as you adhere to two fundamental rules: 1. DO NOT make any use of any CD that comes with the package. It is not needed and will honk up your system beyond recognition. 2. Have a 12-year old male on call. -- 91 days until the winter solstice celebration Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com "The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Cheri wrote: "Phisherman" wrote in message ... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:53:37 -0700, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote: "Phil Again" wrote in message m... On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:42:33 -0700, Cheri wrote: I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) One word of caution: You do need good quality phone circuit wires in the wall. Almost all homes built in the last 20 years or so will be OK. Last 10 years even better. If your home is over 50 years old (pre 1960) you could be in some trouble. You may have to re-do a lot of your phone system wiring in such a case. Wait until it is proof this a problem. Thanks to all for the replies. I have decided not to do it, and I do live in a house that was built in 1963. I think if I do something, I will go with Comcast Broadband, since I do know that they come to install it, and I believe it connects through the cable. I'm old now, and after reading the responses, I just don't care to DIY with electronics. Cheri In my area internet with Comcast is $87 a month, AT&T DSL Lite is $20 a month. DSL gives you a private connection, cable internet is shared with everyone in your neighborhood. Where I am, it's on a special right now for 25.00 installation 34.99 per month for six months and then 39.00 after that. Cheri I've had both DSL and cable. In my opinion all the talk about sharing service and bandwidth is, while technically accurate, absolutely useless for the ordinary user. Unless you spend your time uploading and downloading huge files, you will never notice whether you are using the faster or slower service. I routinely email large jpg files, and never saw a difference between the two services. I had two phone lines, and dsl would not work on the newer line. Apparently the switches at the phone company CO were more robust years ago and could handle DSL, while the newer switches won't. Since I live too many yards from the CO, this affected my service. As to installation, my DSL company sent very clear instructions, and as they were a local company they were easy to call with problems. A lot of the difficulty with DSL installation appeared to involve coordination with the phone company, and as my DSL provider was a local company, they had the connections to get things done promptly and right. Alas, my local DSL company was gobbled up by a national company, and the good personalized tech support disappeared. When I called tech support and their first question was what state I lived in, I saw trouble on the horizon and after a few problems, I switched to cable. Perhaps because my cable company was just getting into the business, I had some problems with installation. One tech insisted that since my cable drop ran through an underground conduit, it was getting wet, which was affecting my service. I drained the conduit (there was some water in it) and the cable worked, but then went out again. The next tech pointed out that the drop was waterproof, and the problem was with the cable modem they had installed (apparently an outdated model). He replaced it and now for a couple of years the service has been flawless. They even offer to come out (for a fee) and hook up a second computer, but I was able to do that on my own easily. So I think, unless you get DSL from a good local company, cable is the better option, as you are then dealing with a single company, and as they often have packages that save you a bit on your TV cable or cable phone. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
wrote in message
... Every moron except YOU !!!!! You're just TOO STUPID !!!! Go look in a mirror and you'll see what I mean..... LEt us know when you say out loud "W O W I ' M S T U P I D ! Oh, oh. Your little class for the challenged obviously let out early today, so "LEt" us go back now and tell our teacher that we are making fun of someone else, and we can't even send a correct post. I am LMAO at you. Cheri |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Sep 24, 2:42*pm, "Cheri" gserviceatinreachdotcom wrote:
I have been trying to get DSL, and they all want to send a kit (assuring me since I am not a technical person at all) that it's very easy to install by yourself. Has anyone here done that, and is it easy? I mean, really easy...like any moron could do it easy? :-) -- Cheri One thing I didn't notice mentioned is many DSL providers are sending a combo unit: modem and router all-in-one (usually wireless router). That can throw a monkey-wrench at you in set-up if you're "not a technical person at all". Being the unofficial tech-support person for my family and a few colleagues, I get calls at least bi-weekly saying "Such-and-such has gone wrong with my computer; what do I need to do to fix it?" and invariably I end up spending time walking a novice step-by-step through something that monitoring software could fix, or would at least give the ISP's Help Desk access to their computer to fix it by remote. So much as it galls me to suggest to someone to possibly install junk on their computer (Comcast's monitoring software is particularly stupid), unless you're comfortable enough tackling installation and troubleshooting without having access to Internet resources, I recommend you use the self-installation kit and save yourself some headaches down the road. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Gary H wrote: On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:03:12 -0500, "Pete C." wrote: [snip] In my area internet with Comcast is $87 a month, AT&T DSL Lite is $20 a month. DSL gives you a private connection, cable internet is shared with everyone in your neighborhood. DSL is shared with everyone in the neighborhood (Telco CO or RT) as well. Cable is normally considerably higher data rate than DSL as well. That's what you hear in DSL ads. It's true, but incomplete. The internet itself is shared. You seem to be replying to the wrong person, and your information is inaccurate as well. For a cable modem, your connection is shared with the other houses (with cable modem service) in your local "node", typically 250-500 potential homes. For DSL, your connection is shared with other houses (with DSL service) in your local Telco central office for older areas, or the Telco's remote terminal (a.k.a. RT equivalent to a cable "node") servicing your neighborhood. So, cable or DSL are both connections where the bandwidth is shared with others in your neighborhood. Of course all Internet traffic is on shared circuits ultimately anyway. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
We bought our own router to avoid the ISP's monthly fee for using their router. Configuration was a mild pain but nothing a moderately experienced computer user should be unable to do. Occasionally we have to recycle the modem which the ISP provided but the router has been solid as a rock. I suggested the ISP's supported home router since then the ISP is on the hook for support of both the router and the DSL connection, so no pointing fingers at the other guy can occur, something helpful for a tech novice. Sure, it all depends on their tech comfort level. I just have an aversion to paying a monthly fee for something we bought, set up and have ignored ever since. I even got my wife to dump her $100/year voice-mail account for a $20 answering machine that works like a champ. Maybe this comes from using business software where the annual support fees outweigh the initial cost of the software after awhile, it rubs me the wrong way. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
DGDevin wrote: We bought our own router to avoid the ISP's monthly fee for using their router. Configuration was a mild pain but nothing a moderately experienced computer user should be unable to do. Occasionally we have to recycle the modem which the ISP provided but the router has been solid as a rock. I suggested the ISP's supported home router since then the ISP is on the hook for support of both the router and the DSL connection, so no pointing fingers at the other guy can occur, something helpful for a tech novice. Sure, it all depends on their tech comfort level. I just have an aversion to paying a monthly fee for something we bought, set up and have ignored ever since. I even got my wife to dump her $100/year voice-mail account for a $20 answering machine that works like a champ. Maybe this comes from using business software where the annual support fees outweigh the initial cost of the software after awhile, it rubs me the wrong way. Some people do need the support, so the extra cost is worthwhile. Of course in the business software world you usually get a lot more useable support at a much higher cost. With cable/DSL you get barely passable support for a buck or two a month. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
Pete C. wrote:
Some people do need the support, so the extra cost is worthwhile. Of course in the business software world you usually get a lot more useable support at a much higher cost. With cable/DSL you get barely passable support for a buck or two a month. I seem to see prices more like five bucks a month, which means I could buy a router and pay someone to set it up for the cost of a year's rental, and any future years would be free. I hear your point about people with zero technical ability. It just seems like a scam to me unless routers as a species are notoriously unreliable and need frequent care and feeding, which ours has not once we got past the inititial configuration. If someone has to pay a Geek Squad type to set it up, fine, but I don't see the need to pay a monthly fee for something that will probably be stable as a brick. |
Is it hard to install DSL yourself?
On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:19:06 -0400, Not@home wrote:
I've had both DSL and cable. In my opinion all the talk about sharing service and bandwidth is, while technically accurate, absolutely useless for the ordinary user. Unless you spend your time uploading and downloading huge files, you will never notice whether you are using the faster or slower service. I routinely email large jpg files, and never saw a difference between the two services. ... Perhaps because my cable company was just getting into the business, I had some problems with installation. One tech insisted that since my cable drop ran through an underground conduit, it was getting wet, which I generally agree. DSL and cable run neck in neck with cable typically two to three times as fast for downloading and one forth as fast for uploads. When I first got cable, it took five visits to get it working. The cable guy would arrive, ask what the problem was and I'd say that "you keep leaving the job without getting it working!" Turned out that they had the interference filter on the data side doing a lovely job of keeping the data signal away from the modem. That was around '99 and I was amazed at the 200-300KB download speeds having been using a modem @ 3-4KB/s previously. Nowadays DSL can do 900-1200KB/s; my cable does 2-3.5MB/s. I generally go with cable because I use cable tv anyway. If they keep scrambling most of the channels I pay for and preventing me from recording unless I buy their cheesey DVR, I will probably dump them and go to recording digital TV OTA and go with the cheapest high speed internet available, and that will probably be DSL. |
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