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| Thread ID: 75431 | 2006-12-29 00:04:00 | Just when you thought Telecom couldn't do anything stupider.... | Agent_24 (57) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 510585 | 2006-12-29 00:04:00 | They invented the Xtra Help Assistant! (can be found here ( . co . nz/help/0,,4150-6488289,00 . html" target="_blank">xtra . co . nz)) Apparently designed to help you when your internet isn't working, or there are other problems with your connection . Why use it? Automatically fixes the most common connection problems You can use if even if you can't connect to the Internet Provides answers to commonly asked questions Provides information so the Helpdesk can fix problems faster It's free for all Xtra Broadband customers In a spirit of enquiry, I decided to try it out and see if it was actually useful . my 'review' if you like, below: No doubt most people would only want to use it once their internet has died, in which case they may have a slight problem actually downloading it . Of course they could get a friend to download it, except for the slight problem that the program uses an online install program (ie; it has to download the install files as you install) . Unfortunately your friend cannot do this for you, he would then have to install the program on his computer which would not be exactly useful . Not wanting to install it on my good computer, in case it did something stupid - I tried it on my old celeron . A nice installer came up which promptly asked me to accept an agreement, enter my email address, my surname and my phone number . It then proceeded to tell me that my computer did not meet the system requirements, but would not tell me why . For the record, the system requirements as posted by Xtra are: CPU - Pentium II Ram - 64mb Free disk space 50mb Internet Explore version 5 . 5 or above JVM v5 . 0 . 3229 . 0 Operating System Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP It could have been that I was installing to Server 2003, but it should still work . So, it was time to have fun screwing up my 2nd best computer (not going to take it anwhere near my actual decent machine) Installation actually completed this time, after it downloaded and installed Microsoft Java Virtual Machine :stare:, what appeared to be some other kind of runtime program, and the actual program itself . I have to point out that Xtra should have (and I'm sure they could have) used Sun Java Runtime, which is much better than Microsoft's one and more secure (or so I am told) . The program automatically installed 4 drivers for itself (as shown by windows defender) and then proceeded to stick itself in my tray with 2 options (launch xtra help assistant, and exit) . With the amount of problems you get with Telecom, I can see why you'd want it in the tray all the time :D So, of course, I ran it . it took 'a few minutes' to check settings and look at stuff, then told me to restart my computer :stare: I have yet to turn my computer back on to see if it will work this time, but I must also point out another stupid problem with the whole thing: Xtra Help Assistant works with the following modems: D-Link DSL 502T D-Link DSL 504T D-Link DSL G604T You will note, that my xtra-supplied DSL-302G with xtra-customised firmware is not on the list :p I guess this is Telecom's attempt to cut down on calls from people who have just done something slightly wrong and don't really need much help to get their internet working, but by the looks of it they are going to get more calls asking why the program doesn't work! :badpc: |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 510586 | 2006-12-29 01:29:00 | So... after rebooting the program now works, and tells me that my internet is perfectly choice and working, not like I didn't already know. I think this could be a good utility program if they fixed some of the more obvious problems... |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 510587 | 2006-12-29 03:00:00 | I got a Speedtouch 302 with my Xtra connection. Thanks Xtra. Mind you I only had one problem with it and helpdesk sorted it. Oh and does the assistant dance on my desktop like that other program :P |
trinsic (6945) | ||
| 510588 | 2006-12-29 03:00:00 | Mind you I only had one problem with it and helpdesk sorted it. How long were you on hold for? :p |
Dannz (1668) | ||
| 510589 | 2006-12-29 03:15:00 | Oh and does the assistant dance on my desktop like that other program :P Unfortunately no . . . . Last time I called them, I was told that 'there may be long delays of up to 40 minutes before your call is answered' I waited about 20min and then got sick of it :waughh: |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 510590 | 2006-12-29 03:54:00 | How long were you on hold for? :p In total 4 hours and 4 techs :stare: Speaker phone saved me from chucking the phone at the wall each hour. |
trinsic (6945) | ||
| 510591 | 2006-12-29 07:08:00 | Iv'e got a message for "Telecom"!. | Utopia (7787) | ||
| 510592 | 2006-12-29 23:12:00 | In total 4 hours and 4 techs :stare: Speaker phone saved me from chucking the phone at the wall each hour. Youch! Yay for speakerphone :p |
Dannz (1668) | ||
| 510593 | 2006-12-31 06:11:00 | Iv'e got a message for "Telecom"!. And that would be??? ;) |
winmacguy (3367) | ||
| 510594 | 2006-12-31 06:50:00 | And that would be??? ;) Last edited by Chilling_Silence : 29-12-2006 at 08:27 PM. Reason: Message removed - That was not called for :D Guess he went a little too overboard. |
trinsic (6945) | ||
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