The Cellar - View Single Post

vsp · 06-02-2005, 09:32 AM

I finally talked my buddy Rick into joining the modern age and ordering DSL. His kit arrived via UPS a week or two ago, and he's been patiently waiting for the connection date.

The original date was May 31st. He then got a message (before the 31st) saying that it had been delayed to June 6th; he THEN got a message on Tuesday saying that his service could now be activated. When James Earl Jones is on your answering machine, you tend to believe it, right?

So I went over last night and did the tinkering for him -- installed the 10/100 card, installed its drivers, plugged in the modem, plugged in the DSL filters, ran the software. This wasn't rocket science, but he'd rather have me do it than even pretend to know his way around hardware. The DSL light on the modem blinked incessantly instead of going solid, and thus the install failed on Account Setup. "Call Technical Support at 1-800-567-6789," says the software. Sure.

Note that the install documentation _specifically tells you_ to install stuff after 6 PM on the activation date, as this is what makes the story fun. I call the number, shove through the protective layers of automation, and get this:

"The office is now closed. Please call back during normal business hours of 8 AM-6 PM."

Let me get this straight... the DSL installation process specifically requires new users to run it at a time when no tech support will be available, then directs them to seek tech support that won't be available if the install fails.

Riiiiight.

Brainstorming, I figure it's one of a couple of things:
1) The modem is fried.
2) The phone line is too shitty to support DSL. He gets around 28.8 on a good day with his 56K modem as it is.
3) Somebody screwed up the activation date, and he REALLY won't be activated until June 6th.
4) Some sort of major cockup on Verizon's end.

Time will tell.

06-02-2005, 09:32 AM	#1
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	A thumb of the nose to Verizon I finally talked my buddy Rick into joining the modern age and ordering DSL. His kit arrived via UPS a week or two ago, and he's been patiently waiting for the connection date. The original date was May 31st. He then got a message (before the 31st) saying that it had been delayed to June 6th; he THEN got a message on Tuesday saying that his service could now be activated. When James Earl Jones is on your answering machine, you tend to believe it, right? So I went over last night and did the tinkering for him -- installed the 10/100 card, installed its drivers, plugged in the modem, plugged in the DSL filters, ran the software. This wasn't rocket science, but he'd rather have me do it than even pretend to know his way around hardware. The DSL light on the modem blinked incessantly instead of going solid, and thus the install failed on Account Setup. "Call Technical Support at 1-800-567-6789," says the software. Sure. Note that the install documentation _specifically tells you_ to install stuff after 6 PM on the activation date, as this is what makes the story fun. I call the number, shove through the protective layers of automation, and get this: "The office is now closed. Please call back during normal business hours of 8 AM-6 PM." Let me get this straight... the DSL installation process specifically requires new users to run it at a time when no tech support will be available, then directs them to seek tech support that won't be available if the install fails. Riiiiight. Brainstorming, I figure it's one of a couple of things: 1) The modem is fried. 2) The phone line is too shitty to support DSL. He gets around 28.8 on a good day with his 56K modem as it is. 3) Somebody screwed up the activation date, and he REALLY won't be activated until June 6th. 4) Some sort of major cockup on Verizon's end. Time will tell.