Dial up Walmart ISP VERY SLOW - advice needed.

[crestwood]

Hi Classic Software:
You have been so very helpful to me in the past with my new Acer FE Desktop that I am now going to ask you for advice on a new ISP. I have Walmart dialup unlimited service for $9.95 per month and it is very slow :( . Can you please recommend the next step up for me - I know nothing about the cable or high speed services and how expensive they are. I defrag regularly, have adaware, spybot, avg grisoft and sygate on my desktop.
Thanks so much. :)

[Erik]

Pretty much any dialup service will be slow. There are a few things that MIGHT help, such as using a true hardware modem. Basically though you will probably never be satisfied with the speed of dial up if you do more than check emails once a day. Most likely your PC is fine, but you are just hitting the limits of a dated technology.

A starting point for broadband service would be to check with your phone company about DSL, or your cable company about cable internet access. Most carriers have some sort of package deal where you get some discount for having multiple services with them. They will be more than you are paying for Walmart, but will be significantly faster. How fast and how much per month will depend on where you are, and what is available in your area.

[jcnoernberg]

a lot of times, slow connections are due to lousy wiring. minimize the amount of connections you have from your computer to your phone company box. try disabling anything from automatically updating... like windows! that will run in the background and eat up all your bandwidth. be sure to update manually once in a while. what is your actual connection speed?

[wamozart]

Dialup speed can be affected by the number and quality of connections between you and the outside world. The fewer the connections, the better. Most of the phone connection hardware is at least 50 years old. So, corrosion and loose screws can be a BIG problem. I replaced all my phone lines with cat-5 wire and got improved times. But the best thing to do is to inquire about DSL.

[sini5tra]

DSL also depends on the state of the your phone line and how far you are from the exchange.. My brother wanted to get the 2mb service in his area, but in the end could only get 384kbps, but still pays the same price as 1mb as it's their lowest service... sucks if you ask me, but he's happy with it as it is much faster than dialup.

[crestwood]

Thanks for your kind replies. Does DSL go thru the phone lines and would that tie up by telephone when I am on the internet like Walmart Dial up Service does? I have my telephone service with SBC in Illinois, so I will look into SBC Yahoo DSL. It is $12.99 per month for one year and then I believe it is $29.00 monthly thereafter. Also there is a charge of $200.00 for some type of installation. Thanks again.

[jlreich]

DSL does run through your phone line but will not tie it up like dialup. You can be on the internet at the same time as talking on the phone.

Wow $200! I believe they do have a self install package they will send you for free or a small charge. If you don't feel up to it maybe you know someone that can help you install it.

[PrntRhd]

Crestwood,
Keep looking for specials on ADSL as many offers have free installation or equipment included.
Search both ads and Internet sites.

[sassie05]

Yes a self install can be shipped to you for 12.95 it includes the modem, filters, software and instructions. Also note that there is a FSUF fee of about $1.74 monthly with a DSL account. There is also a charge of $49.99 (one time) for the modem, but there is a rebate of that amount also. Very easy to install and there is support available if you have trouble!

Also, you may be able to re-commit after your 12 months for a cheaper rate than what the plan rolls into.

I was able to sign back up on a 12 month commitment for 19.95 a month. I was paying 26.95 on my previuos commitment. When I signed back up, DSL was being offered for 14.95.

Keep in mind that this was before AT&T was involved with SBC

I Do not care for AT&T too many underhanded charges and dealings IMO!

[classicsoftware]

Try Cavalier Telephone. (http://www.cavtel.com/residential/index.shtml) The best DSL provider in the country IMHO.

[crestwood]

Hi Classic. thanks for your reply - but in my area (Crestwood, Illinois, zip 60445), the service you recommended is NOT available. Any advice you could give me about DSL would be greatly appreciated. How can I tell if my Acer Power FE meets the requirements of AT&T High Speed DSL Internet Service? Thanks again.

[classicsoftware]

There is no question it meets the requirements.....

[jcnoernberg]

My father hooked up his yahoo dsl (the self installation kit) himself... and he barely knows how to turn his computer on! They have an interactive CD that will graphically walk you through the steps.

save the money... or pay some broke college student $50.00 to get it going for you!

[crestwood]

Hi: Your messages are so encouraging. I know nothing about technical installation but I just ordered the SBC AT&T Yahoo High Speed DSL Service for $12.99 per month (rate is guaranteed for one yr. then it is to be $29.99 per month but the rep. whom I spoke with stated that she thinks that in one year from now, the cost may go down). They are sending me the self installation package and they stated that it is color coded, and straight forward, and that there is a learning CD included. They are sending a high speed modem which is $49.00 but then there is a $49.00 rebate included so I was told the modem will be free. Service is supposed to be turned on on March 13th. I am sure I will be calling on you guys to help me out - ALL OF THE POSTS AND HELP THAT I HAVE RECEIVED ON THIS SITE HAS BEEN PRICELESS TO ME! I am so very grateful that I was referred to this site. Thanks so much.

[crestwood]

Hi to all: I received my DSL SBC AT&T package in the mail yesterday and you folks were correct as it was so easy to hook up. Took a few minutes to find the Ethernet connection but did find it and all seems OK now. Only thing I have to do now is wait until next Monday, March 13th at which time the service installation is to be turned on. Hope I don't have any problems hooking up my email - guess it depends on server or some such as SBC said something about it can be outlook express or yahoo. Hope to go with yahoo email. Thanks again to all.

[classicsoftware]

Download a copy of thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/). It's the best e-mail client, bar none.

Download and when you get the information post back with your incoming and outgoing mail server names and we will be all set.

[sassie05]

Hi Crestwood,
My SBC DSL was available to use even though the date for the service start date was a few days later. Even my customer service rep said it may be available before the date that was given! So, give it a go, see if you can use it.

[crestwood]

I was able to successully sign on to DSL yesterday but the only drawback thus far is that I do not seem to have the same drop down menu on DSL for listing my favorite sites that was available to me on Walmart dial up service. Can anyone please help me with this as I had about 90 favorite sites (along with their URLs listed in dial up) that I really miss having. I copied the favorites onto a floppy and tried to bring it up on DSL but I got some kind of a message that file could not be opened. Please help. Thanks.

[videobruce]

Walmarts' server is in China maintained by illegal immigrants from Mexico that, don't get paid for overtime. :mad:

Can't believe anyone would buy into Walmart anything especially something as stupid as this!

[PrntRhd]

videobruce,
Please don't confuse your feelings about WalMart and its business practices with the poster who is asking for advice.

crestwood,
Most of us do not use the DSL/Cable software provided with the connection, we use client software that provides browsing and email without the ISP limits and advertising tie-ins. (IE w Outlook/ Firefox w Thunderbird)

[crestwood]

Thank you for your reply Sir. Can you please tell me how I could use whatever you are referring to. Is it very complicated and difficult to achieve - I am a Senior who is rather tech challenged. Thanks again so very much and have a great day! :)

[crestwood]

Hi to all: If anyone can please take a few minutes and tell me about Thunderbird or any other enhancements and exactly what they do, I would be most appreciative. This is a great site and I truly am grateful for all of the help that I received here. I now have Internet Explorer as my browser so I have my favorites listed - this is a real plus for me, because I really missed having them up near the top on the drop down favorite menu. Hope everyone has a great day. Thanks again!!! :)