Common behavior for "big" ISPs?

[kayofcircles]

This is the third place I have checked and hope it is the right place to post this question. (I still stubbornly insist we need an "other" category.)

We've been with a fairly small ISP for the last couple of years, but recently they've merged (or something) with MSN. We had read an article in Consumer Reports putting MSN on the bottom of the list, and AT&T at the top of the list, and since our monthly rate was increasing to 18.95 anyway we figured might as well spend three extra bucks and get to top of list. The first thing we noticed is that we have to use their connection software rather than configuring TCP/IP settings manually in Dial Up Networking as we've done before. The next thing I notice is that ZA is asking whether to allow access to Net for some stuff like "WN Connection MFC application" and I say "no". Call AT&T, and tech assures me is not spyware and to allow it to connect to Net. Okay..well..never been with "big" company before, so allow it to connect. Day before yesterday, message pops up and says I must "update" the software so that AT&T can "serve" me better, so I did that and it installed yesterday upon bootup. This morning the WN CSM Server Module wanted online again..and since we just saw a tv show last night on spyware, I said no.

Long-winded way to ask..is this common for the big guys? Do those of you who have AOL and similar do this kind of thing regularly??

[andyswork@beci.net]

I was on earthlink until I networked. They sent me an e mail saying they were going to charge me a $ an hour for the extra computer. One line, one server, and 2 computers. Yes I dropped them the next day and went Bellsouth with 5 computers going, no extra charge. I am one who does not have anything to hide, but if I find out you are spying on me I will try and to stop you, yes I know they all do. No I did not tell them I had 2 computers.

------------------
One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[pentachris]

Earthlink sent me their installation software when I opened an account with them. I put the disc in, looked to see what it had to offer, pulled the disc out ("Yes, I'm absolutely sure I want to abort the installation process, thank you"), went to their website and found the access #, DNS #'s and sign-on format I needed to configure DUN.

Are you sure you can't do this with AT&T, Kay? I used to have AT&T WorldNet, and no proprietary software was required (this was about 3 years ago).

------------------
...
If my computer were the eighth dwarf, it would be Dumpy.
-Chris

[mjc]

All the "big boys" do similar things....they all customize their software, they all have "special" programs etc, part of doing business with one of them, but in many areas you don't have much of a choice. Here, in WV, I don't have the choice of any of them, my choices are a small local no-frills ISP or a small local some frills ISP with lower connection speeds. The first, I can and usually go acheive a good solid 56k connection, the other tops out between 38 and 45k...and the first, which is the one I use, supports a connection from any OS that is capable of making a PPP connection (which basically means all of the most commonly used ones, so I have no problems in DOS, Linux whatever....). AOL, AT&T, and all the rest would be toll calls for me...even Verizon (my telco). So I'm quite happy to "suffer" through manually setting the parameters and live without some of the frills that the "big boys offer.

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Pianorak]

Kay <<Do those of you who have AOL and similar do this kind of thing regularly?? >>
AOL doesn't even give one a choice accepting or declining any downloads. About once a month I get a message simply informing me that AOL is "now downloading" onto my system "new files needed" for "new features" - never specified - to enhance AOL functionality. They could be downloading anything at all. But than I am a trusting kind of guy - probably at my peril!? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif



------------------
The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[kayofcircles]

mjc: We just got lucky in that the Albuquerque calling area is so large that it includes us..some 40 miles away. And unlucky in the sense that the phone lines are so old that speeds like you're talking about are just a dream at this point. We are definitely connecting much faster than before, and we think the connection is more stable, but then we haven't been bumped yet in the short time we've been using AT&T.

pentachris: That's a good idea, and I will check it out. The first thing I did after installing was go to Dial Up Networking so that I could write down settings..."nada" in the TCP/IP boxes and was told by the tech that the connection software handled those settings. I also checked msconfig first thing to make sure that nothing interesting had installed itself. I did some researching ISPs, and we had AT&T as first choice and Earthlink as second primarily because neither require one to use their browsers (we could continue using IE 5)..but, duh, never occurred to me ask about "connection" software.

Pianorak: I was only given the "now" or "later" choice, but the update gizmo popped up again this morning, and I said no again..so we'll see how long I can go saying no until my puter has a hissy fit. Hoping that pentachris' suggestion will work and I can bypass the whole thing.

andyswork@beci.net: I told AT&T that we have two puters, a his and a hers, and tech said to install software on second puter and that is kosher as long as we're not online simultaneously..which, with one phone line, we couldn't do anyway. My husband throws out the networking idea from time to time, but it's neither necessary nor practical for us.

Thanks all.

[sea69]

certainly you can bypass the att dialer software, I have done this for a nieghboor.

you just look in the properties section, get your "REAL" password and username, and make a regular dial up connection using that information.

Then you won't get that stupid box, or pop ups or their other stuff.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 01-12-2002).]

[kayofcircles]

Still need the TCP/IP settings though...right? I did screen shots of everything I could find..and think I know where you're talking about with the "real" user name and such, but do you know where the TCP/IP settings might be?

[sea69]

it is there. try User Information" for that account.

I can't remember precisely right now but can find out.

it isn't that well hiden.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


;)~

[kayofcircles]

Okay, will look again. In the TCP/IP settings box, it has "server assigned IP address" checked, and down where we had settings for the old ISP, it has "Server assigned name addresses" checked and actual settings are grayed out. But haven't been to AT&T site again yet this morning, so will go now. Thanks.

[sea69]

kay- do a global serach on your hdd for AT&T, there you will find a settings or information folder/file- open it and there will be your real info that you need to put into a new connection dialer.. you know what I mean ??

edit: LoL- ATT will not be telling you how to circumvent their advertising dialer on their site or anywhere else..!

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 01-12-2002).]

[kayofcircles]

Thanks, Sea. Will comply. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[randyrhoads1981]

I live in a far east Kentucky area and our choices are limited also..no cable..no DSL..and maybe 3 choices for conection including AOL..which i never use ..the neighbor has a Bellsouth connection and heres how i set up hers and my settings..You will need the IP of the ISP in which you log into as well..1st i found what COM port the modem was using..go to Start then settings type in sysedit hit enter ..then find the Win.ini file and scroll down to the section [Ports] find the line of the Com port that your modem is using back space the info AFTER = and type in this 921600,n,8,1,p mine appears like this COM3:=921600,n,8,1,p exit out and press yes to save the changes go to the Modem section under the Contol Panel and go to properties..in the General tab max out the Maximum speed then go to the Connection tab and click on the Port Settings button and max out the buffer settings. In the Advanced settings uncheck USE ERROR CONTROL.. i also added the line S11=40 that speeds up the dialing process, but ive had mixed results using that with differnt modems..nothing failed but with my US Robotics the change was instant but with others i couldnt tell any change..now go to the Dialup Networking folder under My Computer and rightclick on your connection and choose Properties ..In the Advanced options section only " Enable software compression" checkmarked. at the Allowed Network Protocols only TCP/IP should be checked. Then click the TCP/IP Settings Button. Once there check the Specify Name Server Addresses and enter your ISP's IP # in the Primary and Secondary DNS sections dont mess with the "WINS" ,if they give you a Primary AND Secondary IP's then enter both i use just one...reboot and connect..

------------------
COM3:921600,n,8,1,p
S11=40

[kayofcircles]

Appreciate input, randyrhoads1981. Too chicken to mess with my COM port settings though. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif Tried yesterday (armed with instructions from AT&T) to establish a dialup..no joy. They left a lot of stuff out of their directions..some I found and set properly and apparently others I have yet to find. Will persevere.

[sea69]

Kay look for the following file: Acctinfo.txt

in your at+t folder.


edit: you are looking for the following information:

Username is your AT&T WorldNet Service username which starts with a bunch of numbers, followed by @worldnet.att.net, Don't forget to include the @worldnet.att.net as part of the user name.

Password is your AT&T WorldNet Service User Password, a bunch of letters/characters AT&T assigned to you when you first signed up. This is a 16 character string that is encrypted. Copy it exactly. Make sure you are using the right one too, do not use your e-mail password

------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 01-13-2002).]

[kayofcircles]

Will do, Sea. Laughed at your "global search on your HDD" above. On 4 GB, is probably more like an asteroid than a globe.

[Paul Komski]

Two ifs: If you havent yet got your settings and if AT&T (apart from using its own software) has also created a DUN folder.

Two thens: Then you should be easily able to create a new DUN folder of your own (but give it a nice new different name so that their software doesn't find it). Then get the properties directly from their folder and copy/paste them into your own new DUN folder.

TCP/IP: If both addresses in Networking are Server Assigned then you don't have to worry about typing-in any IP addresses, etc. Don't know about AT&T but the four Irish ISPs that I have tried are all Server Assigned.

AOL note: AOL is a different ballgame altogether - but then that doesn't apply to you. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
Take nice care of yourselves - Paul

[kayofcircles]

Thanks, Paul..I appreciate it.