1/14 I am getting DSL for the first time. The instruction from SBC says
that I have to install stuff from their CD and leave the modem on for
10 days for them to "maximize the speed." I don't really want to
install their custom browser and god-knows-what. Can I just ignore
their instructions and still get the highest speed possible?
\_ do the entire install, then afterward, just use the EnterNet
shortcut to get your computer on the net.
\_ Yes, but you need to buy a router. You also need to have an
external modem. You will need to check if it's USB or Ethernet.
If you insist on a direct PC
connection you can get away with only installing the
Enternet software. However, using software to connect
to ADSL PPOE is just eating up mem and cpu cycles. Oh,
and you do have to install the software at least ONCE to
establish your new DSL account login unless you have
an existing sbc/yahoo account that works. You can email
me if you need more detailed instructions. -williamc
\_ you do not need to install their crap if you have XP.
\_You do if you don't already have an existing account. You
need to login somehow with their software the first time
and fill out the registration crap. Then just deepsix it.
otherwise if you don't have XP, good luck, since SBC-
Yahoo fucked my computer up. had to reinstall everything
after I installed their lousy software.
\_ You can ignore it. If you're going to configure your router to
dial the PPP link, you need to rember that your username is not
'johnqsodan' but actually 'johnqsodan@sbcglobal.net'. Also, config
your router to use DHCP.
\_Technically, this isn't really necessary. You can use a static
IP Address if you so desire (very useful for running things
like Solaris or Linux where you want a static IP so you can
ftp to the boxes, etc.).
Alternately, just use whatever PPP dialer your OS has and use DHCP
I don't know if it matters if you leave it connected for 10 days,
but if you're using a router, that shouldn't be too inconvenient.
\_ I'd strongly suggest a cheap firewall/NAT/router box. You can even
get a wireless one for about $60-$70, and it greatly simplifies the
process.
\_ I recommend the D-Link DI-624
\_ if their wireless cards give any indication of the performance
of their other products, i'll never buy dlink again.
\_ Isn't that one of the models that suffers from the constant
dropping of ssh terms? (after 15 minutes of inactivity)?
\_ Make sure that they give you the ethernet DSL modem, and NOT the
USB crap. The EnterNet s/w will mess up your computer, no doubt
about that. Uninstall as soon as possible. Ditto the advice on
buying a router. Get one with a hardware-based firewall with a
packet inspector thingie (e.g. SMC). Wireless is great, too,
but get ZoneAlarm Pro or similar.
\_ Wow, what a fucking mess! I've got a cable modem and never had to
worry, know, or think about any of this shit. They plug in the
box, make sure it can ping, and get the fuck out of my house. No
login crap, no stupid software, no custom anything. It just works.
\_ here, here. But they're paying 40% less than you are.
What's the deal with PPPoE anyway? Why does SBC use it?
\_ I'm paying $45/month which includes the hardware rental. When
the standard changed and I needed a new box, they swapped it
out as part of the service (ie: free). 40% less/month but
dealing with all that bullshit doesn't look worth it. I truly
have always-on. No login. No PPPoe. No account. And I can
plug in more devices into the same switch my cable modem is
plugged into, turn on dhcp and they all get their own valid
public IP addresses with no extra billing or bullshit. How
much exactly does DSL cost these days? Last I knew it was
about the same as cable.
\_ $26.95/month for SBC-Yahoo DSL, free dsl-modem
self-install kit, no set up charge, 1-year contract
You ought to call your cable company, ask to be
matched to the DSL price, else claim you might switch
\_ I think you have to agree to use SBC for local toll or
long-distance to get that deal.
\_ No. At least not in Bay Area, CA
\_ Isn't this total crap, like 356k download?
\_ My cable rate is 1.5 down and 256k up. What is this
$27/month DSL rate proving for speed?
\_ Thanks for all the replies! Actually I use a mac. Does the rest
of the advices above all apply to Mac as well? Can I login the
the 1st time service with a router instead of directly? (I ask
because there does not seem to be a way to change MAC address,
and self-install is not supported for a router connection.)
\_ Install the stuff, register, get your PPPoE account *AND* the
yahoo freebies (bigger email inbox, yahoo web-mail etc.)
then uninstall the SBC software and do PPPoE thru a
Linksys/Dlink router (and it gives you a firewall & allows you to
share the broadband connection, very cheap now $20-40 with rebate).
You can also use their SBC web-site to register instead of loading
the software, or if you get a clueful fone-support tech, they
can do it for you. BTW,the SBC install software is buggy and
can hang at the very last step, but you can just ignore that part.
\_ and after you leave their dsl service, will they turn off your
yahoo account like aol does with screen names?
\_ Why does SBC ask new user "leave the DSL modem (not the
computer) on for 10 days after first use" to "maximize speed"?
What can that do? |