I need to vent!

[Hursticon]

Nothing more satisfying than family IT supprt...

I know, after the 50th time you'd think they'd learn but...
Well it's up and running, and beautifully I might add , I've also managed to retrieve about 90% of their documents and other misc data as well as all the email!

I would like to know what brand of modems you guys are using for your internet connections and how good are they? And how much did they cost you?

I have a Netgear DM111P and it is HORRIBLE, it drops out every couple of hours. Do not recommend.

I've been experiencing about 20 dropouts within the last 48 hours.

At first I thought it was a line problem with Bigpond and after calling them they had assured me that the connection was fine and suggested that I should buy new Telstra phone splitters of the same brand with ADSL 2+ support because they think that is why the connection is dropping out.

I go to a Telstra shop, they don't sell it. So I go to a Dick Smith, a store in which Bigpond themselves recommended. The so called 'expert' behind the counter tells me that the Telstra brand splitters are crap and should get other brands other than theirs so I do, I get 2 D-link splitters and guess what happens after I plug those in? I experience about a dozen dropouts - meaning that it's this piece of crap modem that's causing these dropouts (and my warranty, not surprisingly does not allow refunds only a replacement of the exact same dud modem). And guess who sold me my modem after Telstra wouldn't replace mine because I was no longer entitled? DICK SMITH.

Another Dick Smith experience, I go in there in hoping of buying cheap video games on a Sunday. THere's 8 workers in on a sunday and I grab a copy of Age of Empires 3 and Warhammer Dawn of War. The seal on the Age of Empires 3 game has been ripped open so I go to the counter asking the girl what has happened with the discs and she says they've been stolen. STOLEN. When you have 8 people working on a Sunday at Dick Smiths how can you not see someone tearing up a game and taking out the discs? Oh maybe because they're trying to tend to the 20 customers that all looked pissed-off that they've been sold by products by a bunch of airheads. So the girl apologises and goes into the back to get the discs for Dawn of War - and guess what? She's gone for about 15 minutes to which I said to my friend - 'F*CK THIS. F*CK DICK SMITH. THEY ARE WORSE THAN A DOG'S PILE OF SH*T' and leave.

I'm usually forgiving when it comes to retail shops but this is it - Dick Smith can rot. I'm going JB Hi-Fi. And f*ck Netgear too for making crap modems. And f*ck Bigpond too, after my contract is over with them I'm going Adam.

Actually, I use that exact modem - albeit v2 in combination with a Netgear N600 model WNDR3700 router and it works like a charm.

We get dropouts too, no where as often though but I know why we get them and it is purely due to Telstra's Archaic Copper Phone Lines in my area - Which just so happen to be the original lines laid way back in the 50s-60s.
We also have a TAFE hooked up to our exchange, which I rant over in detail above, and when it rains?...

Also, I wouldn't take the word of a Telstra 'Technical Support' staff member or a Dicksmith employee even if you paid me and why?:

Telstra don't care, wont care, know nothing and only want your money. (In my experience)
Dicksmith is a Woolworths owned shell with Sales Drones they call 'Techsperts', oh they spurt something but it isn't accurate information. (In my experience)

As horrible as that sounds, I use a netgear modem/router and a hooked up through TPG on a Telstra line. I had a bunch of issues but it turned out to be crappy old wiring in the place we're renting.I put down some fresh cable, which is pretty cheap for 10 metres from anywhere and 've not had a problem since. if you can stomach it I suggest talking to bigpond again and getting them to test your lines. also try your connection without the phone or any splitters attached, see how that goes. add one thing to the circuit at a time and see what effect it has.

best of luck.

Ha!
I've the exact same setup dude - Netgear everything, Internet provided by TPG on Telstra lines and I agree, 90% of most dropout problems are with the poorly serviced and non-maintained lines of Telstra.

What you say is dead right, use the process of elimination method as that's the best approach.

Guess what, Bigpond called me at 9AM this morning and they said all the dropouts were actually on their end - I told them about 50 times to change my ADSL associated number (as my home phone number had changed recently) and despite telling them so many times ; they never got around to it. The dud that calls me tells me he'll put me through to a Bigpond Consultant, after 16 minutes of waiting - he comes back and instead of putting me through to the consultant, he disconnects the line...

Wow, it's like they want their customers to hate them and they're not even trying anymore.

Why am I not surprised?...

I'd say man, get away from Telstra and Bigpond as soon as you can as you'll save buckets of cash and headaches, but also I generally find that most splitters are exactly the same so stick with what you had and get the new ones refunded.

Telstra tied?