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Thread ID: 21681 2002-07-01 10:07:00 ISP woes Elwin Way (229) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
58896 2002-07-02 12:38:00 Hi Pete,

What OS are you using? When I switched from ME to XP, my conexant modem played up. So did quite a few others.

Problem solved by using a generic driver called "Fujitsu LB RWmodem V.90 56K E"

Try that. Should increase performance.

:)
*Sparky* (311)
58897 2002-07-02 13:57:00 Yeah I have just dumped quiksilver too after finding the speed dropping more and more. In the end it was taking up to 5 minutes to load the pressF1 page and I have decided enough was enough. Since switching I have now got the speed back and am happy again. dipstick01 (445)
58898 2002-07-02 20:39:00 Hey sparky, I'm using s conextant modem & winXp (although 2 friends having same probs are running win98).
Is this "Fujitsu LB RWmodem V.90 56K E" generic driver you mentioned already a part of winXp? or do i need to search for it on the web?

Hey Elwin what brand of modem are you using??

Cheers steve
Steve Askew (119)
58899 2002-07-03 02:34:00 I'm running a (now) generic winmodem .

What gets me is the ISP response of automatically saying its your fault . The fact is, it worked fine before, I have not changed anything, so why should it fail now?

Here's what I got back from Slingshot today:
___________________________________

Dear Customer, <------actually I'm not anymore

Thank you for your email . Your query was about being disconnected while online . <------- see original email below - it was a bit more than this

Please check your disconnection settings in Internet Explorer & Outlook Express, instructions provided below . <--- I just happen to use Opera and Eudora . . .

Internet Explorer . (Windows 98/Windows 2000)

Click on Tools
Click on Internet Options
Click on Connection
Select your dial up connection
Click on Settings
Click on Advanced
Ensure you have no disconnection settings ticked . <----I don't, and never have

Internet Explorer (Windows ME)
Click on Tools
Click on Internet Options
Click on Connection
Select your dial up connection
Click on Settings
Click on Properties
Click on Dialling
Ensure you have no disconnection settings ticked .

Outlook Express

Click on Tools
Click on Options
Click on Connection
Remove tick from "hang up after sending & receiving" <--- tick is never in there / I don't use this anyway

Please also ensure your modem is connected directly to the phone line, please remove any double adaptors and extension cords if possible . <--- need extension cord which has not caused probs up until now

Other causes of frequent disconnection:

* modem - you may need to update your modem drivers/firmware - contact your modem vendor or manufacturer <---I always use V6 generic winmodem drivers which are later than manufacturers

* phone line - if there is noise, especially ground noise, on the line, or any exchange problems - contact Telecom faults on 120 to have your line tested <--- no problems here

Lastly, call waiting may disconnect your connection with the 4 beep alert - this can be disabled on a call by call basis by adding *52, in front of the connection number when connecting . <--- don't have call waiting

Hopefully this email will help you resolve any disconnection issues, if you are unable to resolve this matter please call our Helpdesk . <--- I'm deaf . I will be sending email . . .

Yours faithfully,
Helpdesk
9007 <---- what's this?

-----Original Message-----
From: Elwin Way
Sent: Tuesday, 2 July 2002 1:31 a . m .
To: helpdesk@slingshot . co . nz
Subject: Account

Hi,

I recently sent an email outlining my reasons for concern with my connection .

They were:
1- difficulty in establishing a connection
2- getting disconnected approximately every half an hour
3- unavailability of New Zealand domains ie overseas pages load fine but NZ pages timeout constantly .

I also expressed my disappointment with the way my account was being
handled . I sent a new direct debit form with new bank account details . The payment has been sitting in the account for the last 5 weeks . However, I find my account suspended after 1 email stating you did not receive payment .

I have signed up with a new ISP as having an internet connection is vital
to my business .

However, I will be willing to resolve this issue and remain a customer of
Slingshot if the following conditions are met:

1- Full explanation as to why I had connection problems (that my new and back-up ISP do not have) and what is/will be done to resolve them .
2- Accounts details to be sorted out with confirmation of the correct bank
account number .
3- A guarantee that in future, should problems arise, they will be fully
communicated to myself, even if the purpose is to let me know the problem exists .

Thank you .

Elwin Way

______________________________

Will be sending another e-mail . Meanwhile still have yet to hear back from Quicksilver about slow network .

Maybe I'm not making myself clear enough? What do you think?
Elwin Way (229)
58900 2002-07-03 06:43:00 Hi Steve,

The fujitsu driver was on the list under the heading "generic" when you go to the Hardware Update Wizard under the driver tab of modem properties in Device manager. Select "Instal from the list" then "Dont search"

Hope that helps.
*Sparky* (311)
58901 2002-07-03 06:44:00 Hi Elwin & anyone watching this story unfold,
My next plan of attack is to try an ISA 56k-v90 modem I have, In my friend down the roads computer & see if they still get the same problems connecting & staying connected.
I can't try it in my current computer as it doesn't have any ISA slots :-(

Also on another note ,4 weeks ago I signed up another friend with slingshot & we filled out the refer a friend form which entitles me to 1month for free & when I asked them yesterday what has happened to my 1month credit? they say it will take 4-5 weeks to proccess.
I think that is poor condsidering we are supposed to be in the computer age.
cheers Steve
PS:will post here the results of the modem swap.
Steve Askew (119)
58902 2002-07-03 08:12:00 I bet I know what the result will be . . .

Anyway, it's not just Slingshot passing the buck . Its a phenomenum that most, if not all, ISPs suffer from . The problem is very rarely with them - it's either the users modem, IE settings or phone line .

I am think very seriously about taking action - I mean I personally, am sick and tired of having to put up with the crap and poor service that ISPs put on us . Sure, they have problems, but even that is so well known that you'd think they have some sort of contigency plans . I mean, isn't customer satisfaction worth shite anymore?

We pay good money, so expect a good service . Imagine going to a shoe shop to take back a pair of shoes that are falling apart after 2 days . What would you do if the shop assistant claimed that the reason the shoes are falling apart all of a sudden is because you are wearing the wrong type of socks?

I know my connection problem with Slingshot does not reside at my end . I have tested, compaired, and reinstalled . Nothing changed . So why do they tell me it is? Why won't they acknowledge it?

Any PCWorld gurus (Juhaa?) care to have a shot at explaining this? :D

Anyway, enuff rambling and time for action .

Who's with me on this? ;\
Elwin Way (229)
58903 2002-07-03 08:38:00 On the bench behind me is a '98se computer i just rebuilt for a friend. Her internet account is with slingshot, so that is what is being used for the windows updates etc.. Its great, and maybe their IS something in the pass the buck concept. I'm in Chch, using the 1 year old phonelines of telstra. The computers owner has no probs even on a telecon line in Redcliffs, just out of central chch.

Something else i note, Slingshot are only in the main centers, i am directly connected to telstras central exchange, so i figure i have a fairly "direct " line. You may not be so close to their point of presence.

Conclusion, slingshot in CHCH, or Redcliffs is fine, in Porirua, perhaps not the best idea. The issue is clearly complex, and there is no "best ISP for all" award to be handed out, or worst for that matter.

What we need is greater detail. What works well where? What weaknesses exsist? that sort of thing. This can be achieved only by balanced discussion.

BTW cable-telstra-clear-paradise help sux when things start to fail
see here (homepages.ihug.co.nz)
Chris Wilson (431)
58904 2002-07-03 12:50:00 I'm not quite sure how it works, but I envisage that Slingshot have 'points of contact' - 1 in Welly, 1 in CHC and so on. Would these be servers? So what happens when one of these points is not working properly? It would appear from network traffic that things are well, but as Steve Askew, his friends and I can confirm, there is a problem at the Porirua branch.

It comes back to this: It worked before, I havn't changed anything, so why should the problem be automatically mine? My PC doesn't mess around with it's own settings. It knowns better than that!
Elwin Way (229)
58905 2002-07-03 17:25:00 My friends & myself dial-in from upper hutt ,But I guess we all dial in to the same point of contact in wellington.
Shame we can't email every slingshot user in wellington & find out if they are happy or unhappy with their connections.
cheers Steve
Steve Askew (119)
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