ISP questions and concerns

[Pete]

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to find another ISP due to the fluctuating connection
speed problems I am having with my current provider AT&T. I have ruled out
the problem being in my house by running a direct cable to my phone box,
with everything else out of the circuit. AT&T blames it on local phone
company routing, which could be true, but phone companies do not get
involved in pc dial up issues as long as your phones are working okay.

I have just tried netscape and failed miserably because their mail is not
compatible with OE, even though they say it is.

I am thinking about trying Localnet for an ISP (they are in Buffalo, NY, and
answer the phone right away and speak real English, and have free customer
support and mail and news for $9.95 - I don't see how they do it) .


I talked to Localnet yesterday, but am afraid to try them after what
happened recently with netscape. After trying netscape and failing, I
canceled them immediately (twice, after reinstating
them for one more try). They are really bad and everything is in India
(just like AT&T, HP, Dell, etc...the whole world is going to India for cheap
labor and there is no service because you can't communicate with them).

I tried everything humanly possible and could not get the mail in
netscape to work in OE. I tried checking and unchecking every possible
setting in properties (and I definitely set the account up right - that is
simple and I did exactly what they said in their web page- plus if I didn't,
I would not even have been able to get into the mail). I kept trying to
send messages to myself as tests, and it would work only sporadically at
best (with the dreaded MS error message occurring most of the time - i.e.
the 800CCF0F). You wouldn't believe the frustration I went through (didn't
eat till 1:00 AM first night). The connection speed was good (45.2), but no
good if I can't get my mail in OE. Netscape ISP only does mail - no news.

I downloaded a free ($3.95 one time charge) newsgroup (teranews.com), a few
days ago (before downloading netscape), since netscape ISP only does mail -
and it was working fine, and now it will not work, and I know it has
something to do with the netscape stuff (which I have uninstalled, and wiped
out the folders in program files manually - but like I have heard about AOL,
who
knows what's still left). Do you have any idea what happened to my
teranews - it will not connect now, but it did work before downloading and
testing netscape - as a matter of fact I think it was working while I was
testing netscape, but it doesn't now.

I would like to try Localnet, but it will cost me a $12.95 one time non
refundable
charge, plus the $9.95 fee which may also be non refundable (I asked the
girl in
sales if I could get it back if I canceled immediately and she didn't know).
Check this site out http://www.localnet.com/isp_compare.phtml. Its
unbelievable. I dialed the tech support number to ask some questions and a
person answered the phone on the second or third ring (no phone trees or
anything - incredible - and he spoke perfect English - they are in Buffalo
like I said).

The person told me the Localnet service definitely had both mail and news,
and that they were ABSOLUTELY compatible with OE, but that's what netscape
said also (and it is not true, unless I have something wrong with my IE/OE
installation, which I doubt).

After having trouble with netscape, I am afraid of trying Localnet and lose
the $23 if I can't get the mail and news on my OE (I have windows xpsp2 home
edition - the latest). Also, I would have to drop them if the connection
speeds were no good, but that is a chance I am willing to take, but I am a
little queasy about the mail and news being compatible with OE. The kid
said they would walk you through it if you had problems, but there is only
so many boxes to check and uncheck, and I am pretty familiar with that
stuff, but maybe an individual ISP requires a strange mix of settings (if
you will). At least I would be able to speak to someone who speaks good
English if I had trouble.

Incidentally the netscape access number (that was consistently 45.2) did
connect to a different exchange than my AT&T number, so it may be a router
problem with verizon to the AT&T exchange.

What do you all think. Should I give Localnet a chance, and do you know
anyone who has them, and can verify the mail and news are absolutely
compatible with OE. I just lost another one month bill to AT&T because I
would have had to change my account last night at 7:00 pm (oh well). I need
to get a provider that will give me at least 40 kbps consistently (like
almost always). The netscape connection always came up the same (45.2)
after many tests. My AT&T connection was always the same before something
happened, and it started fluctuating between 46.6 and 28.8.

Please get back to me. Thanks...Pete

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Perhaps a new modem is what you need...
I used AT&T for several years and never
had a problem with it.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi everyone,
|
| I am currently trying to find another ISP due to the fluctuating connection
| speed problems I am having with my current provider AT&T. I have ruled out
| the problem being in my house by running a direct cable to my phone box,
| with everything else out of the circuit. AT&T blames it on local phone
| company routing, which could be true, but phone companies do not get
| involved in pc dial up issues as long as your phones are working okay.
|
| I have just tried netscape and failed miserably because their mail is not
| compatible with OE, even though they say it is.
|
| I am thinking about trying Localnet for an ISP (they are in Buffalo, NY, and
| answer the phone right away and speak real English, and have free customer
| support and mail and news for $9.95 - I don't see how they do it) .
|
|
| I talked to Localnet yesterday, but am afraid to try them after what
| happened recently with netscape. After trying netscape and failing, I
| canceled them immediately (twice, after reinstating
| them for one more try). They are really bad and everything is in India
| (just like AT&T, HP, Dell, etc...the whole world is going to India for cheap
| labor and there is no service because you can't communicate with them).
|
| I tried everything humanly possible and could not get the mail in
| netscape to work in OE. I tried checking and unchecking every possible
| setting in properties (and I definitely set the account up right - that is
| simple and I did exactly what they said in their web page- plus if I didn't,
| I would not even have been able to get into the mail). I kept trying to
| send messages to myself as tests, and it would work only sporadically at
| best (with the dreaded MS error message occurring most of the time - i.e.
| the 800CCF0F). You wouldn't believe the frustration I went through (didn't
| eat till 1:00 AM first night). The connection speed was good (45.2), but no
| good if I can't get my mail in OE. Netscape ISP only does mail - no news.
|
| I downloaded a free ($3.95 one time charge) newsgroup (teranews.com), a few
| days ago (before downloading netscape), since netscape ISP only does mail -
| and it was working fine, and now it will not work, and I know it has
| something to do with the netscape stuff (which I have uninstalled, and wiped
| out the folders in program files manually - but like I have heard about AOL,
| who
| knows what's still left). Do you have any idea what happened to my
| teranews - it will not connect now, but it did work before downloading and
| testing netscape - as a matter of fact I think it was working while I was
| testing netscape, but it doesn't now.
|
| I would like to try Localnet, but it will cost me a $12.95 one time non
| refundable
| charge, plus the $9.95 fee which may also be non refundable (I asked the
| girl in
| sales if I could get it back if I canceled immediately and she didn't know).
| Check this site out http://www.localnet.com/isp_compare.phtml. Its
| unbelievable. I dialed the tech support number to ask some questions and a
| person answered the phone on the second or third ring (no phone trees or
| anything - incredible - and he spoke perfect English - they are in Buffalo
| like I said).
|
| The person told me the Localnet service definitely had both mail and news,
| and that they were ABSOLUTELY compatible with OE, but that's what netscape
| said also (and it is not true, unless I have something wrong with my IE/OE
| installation, which I doubt).
|
| After having trouble with netscape, I am afraid of trying Localnet and lose
| the $23 if I can't get the mail and news on my OE (I have windows xpsp2 home
| edition - the latest). Also, I would have to drop them if the connection
| speeds were no good, but that is a chance I am willing to take, but I am a
| little queasy about the mail and news being compatible with OE. The kid
| said they would walk you through it if you had problems, but there is only
| so many boxes to check and uncheck, and I am pretty familiar with that
| stuff, but maybe an individual ISP requires a strange mix of settings (if
| you will). At least I would be able to speak to someone who speaks good
| English if I had trouble.
|
| Incidentally the netscape access number (that was consistently 45.2) did
| connect to a different exchange than my AT&T number, so it may be a router
| problem with verizon to the AT&T exchange.
|
| What do you all think. Should I give Localnet a chance, and do you know
| anyone who has them, and can verify the mail and news are absolutely
| compatible with OE. I just lost another one month bill to AT&T because I
| would have had to change my account last night at 7:00 pm (oh well). I need
| to get a provider that will give me at least 40 kbps consistently (like
| almost always). The netscape connection always came up the same (45.2)
| after many tests. My AT&T connection was always the same before something
| happened, and it started fluctuating between 46.6 and 28.8.
|
| Please get back to me. Thanks...Pete

 

[Fred]

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to find another ISP due to the fluctuating
connection speed problems I am having with my current provider AT&T. I
have ruled out the problem being in my house by running a direct cable to
my phone box, with everything else out of the circuit. AT&T blames it on
local phone company routing, which could be true, but phone companies do
not get involved in pc dial up issues as long as your phones are working
okay.

I have just tried netscape and failed miserably because their mail is not
compatible with OE, even though they say it is.

I am thinking about trying Localnet for an ISP (they are in Buffalo, NY,
and
answer the phone right away and speak real English, and have free customer
support and mail and news for $9.95 - I don't see how they do it) .


I talked to Localnet yesterday, but am afraid to try them after what
happened recently with netscape. After trying netscape and failing, I
canceled them immediately (twice, after reinstating
them for one more try). They are really bad and everything is in India
(just like AT&T, HP, Dell, etc...the whole world is going to India for
cheap
labor and there is no service because you can't communicate with them).

I tried everything humanly possible and could not get the mail in
netscape to work in OE. I tried checking and unchecking every possible
setting in properties (and I definitely set the account up right - that is
simple and I did exactly what they said in their web page- plus if I
didn't,
I would not even have been able to get into the mail). I kept trying to
send messages to myself as tests, and it would work only sporadically at
best (with the dreaded MS error message occurring most of the time - i.e.
the 800CCF0F). You wouldn't believe the frustration I went through
(didn't
eat till 1:00 AM first night). The connection speed was good (45.2), but
no
good if I can't get my mail in OE. Netscape ISP only does mail - no news.

I downloaded a free ($3.95 one time charge) newsgroup (teranews.com), a
few
days ago (before downloading netscape), since netscape ISP only does
mail -
and it was working fine, and now it will not work, and I know it has
something to do with the netscape stuff (which I have uninstalled, and
wiped
out the folders in program files manually - but like I have heard about
AOL, who
knows what's still left). Do you have any idea what happened to my
teranews - it will not connect now, but it did work before downloading and
testing netscape - as a matter of fact I think it was working while I was
testing netscape, but it doesn't now.

I would like to try Localnet, but it will cost me a $12.95 one time non
refundable
charge, plus the $9.95 fee which may also be non refundable (I asked the
girl in
sales if I could get it back if I canceled immediately and she didn't
know).
Check this site out http://www.localnet.com/isp_compare.phtml. Its
unbelievable. I dialed the tech support number to ask some questions and
a
person answered the phone on the second or third ring (no phone trees or
anything - incredible - and he spoke perfect English - they are in Buffalo
like I said).

The person told me the Localnet service definitely had both mail and news,
and that they were ABSOLUTELY compatible with OE, but that's what netscape
said also (and it is not true, unless I have something wrong with my IE/OE
installation, which I doubt).

After having trouble with netscape, I am afraid of trying Localnet and
lose
the $23 if I can't get the mail and news on my OE (I have windows xpsp2
home
edition - the latest). Also, I would have to drop them if the connection
speeds were no good, but that is a chance I am willing to take, but I am a
little queasy about the mail and news being compatible with OE. The kid
said they would walk you through it if you had problems, but there is only
so many boxes to check and uncheck, and I am pretty familiar with that
stuff, but maybe an individual ISP requires a strange mix of settings (if
you will). At least I would be able to speak to someone who speaks good
English if I had trouble.

Incidentally the netscape access number (that was consistently 45.2) did
connect to a different exchange than my AT&T number, so it may be a
router
problem with verizon to the AT&T exchange.

What do you all think. Should I give Localnet a chance, and do you know
anyone who has them, and can verify the mail and news are absolutely
compatible with OE. I just lost another one month bill to AT&T because I
would have had to change my account last night at 7:00 pm (oh well). I
need
to get a provider that will give me at least 40 kbps consistently (like
almost always). The netscape connection always came up the same (45.2)
after many tests. My AT&T connection was always the same before something
happened, and it started fluctuating between 46.6 and 28.8.

Please get back to me. Thanks...Pete

If your just looking for a dialup isp why not try Netzero. $9.95 per month
and no initial upfront fees. In fact you can try them for free as they
offer a few hours per month at no charge. I've used it many times when I've
visited relatives in Buffalo and usual got good connection speeds. They
work with OE just fine.

 

[Pete]

Carey...I have a brand new pc with an agere systems PCI soft modem in it
(all pcs come with soft modems/win modems in them these days, as you know).
I don't need a new modem. I was connecting fine before the problem started,
and there is no doubt the problem may be in the local routing from my phone
company, and a different provider with a different exchange number may help.
I explained all this in my message. I guess I will give Localnet a try.
Thanks...Pete

 

[Pete]

If your just looking for a dialup isp why not try Netzero. $9.95 per
month and no initial upfront fees. In fact you can try them for free as
they offer a few hours per month at no charge. I've used it many times
when I've visited relatives in Buffalo and usual got good connection
speeds. They work with OE just fine.

Fred...Net zero is the same as netscape (ie mail but no news). I tried them
once before a couple years ago and it was a joke. I am sure they are now in
India also, and you won't be able to talk to anyone who you can communicate
properly with. Whether or not their mail will work with OE or not, I don't
know, but I would still need a separate news server if I used them.

I was basically trying to find out if anyone had any testimonials for
Localnet (they sound awesome as I said, $9.95, and have free tech support
and mail and news, and speak english). Neither netscape not net zero have
free tech support (that's why there $9.95), but they will talk to you when
you first sign up if you can understand them (its a joke).

Take care...Pete

 

[Phillips]

Aren't there html based newsgroups that you can connect at w/ your web
browser? There should be some FTP based as well - at least I think I saw
some in the remote (couple years past.
Just pay those Localnet dudes their 10 bucks (3 gallons of gas and see
what you get.
Michael

 

[Galen]

In Pete <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to find another ISP due to the fluctuating
connection speed problems I am having with my current provider AT&T. I
have ruled out the problem being in my house by running a direct
cable to my phone box, with everything else out of the circuit. AT&T
blames it on local phone company routing, which could be true, but
phone companies do not get involved in pc dial up issues as long as
your phones are working okay.
I have just tried netscape and failed miserably because their mail is
not compatible with OE, even though they say it is.

I am thinking about trying Localnet for an ISP (they are in Buffalo,
NY, and answer the phone right away and speak real English, and have
free customer support and mail and news for $9.95 - I don't see how
they do it) .

I talked to Localnet yesterday, but am afraid to try them after what
happened recently with netscape. After trying netscape and failing, I
canceled them immediately (twice, after reinstating
them for one more try). They are really bad and everything is in
India (just like AT&T, HP, Dell, etc...the whole world is going to
India for cheap labor and there is no service because you can't
communicate with them).
I tried everything humanly possible and could not get the mail in
netscape to work in OE. I tried checking and unchecking every
possible setting in properties (and I definitely set the account up
right - that is simple and I did exactly what they said in their web
page- plus if I didn't, I would not even have been able to get into
the mail). I kept trying to send messages to myself as tests, and it
would work only sporadically at best (with the dreaded MS error
message occurring most of the time - i.e. the 800CCF0F). You
wouldn't believe the frustration I went through (didn't eat till 1:00
AM first night). The connection speed was good (45.2), but no good
if I can't get my mail in OE. Netscape ISP only does mail - no news.
I downloaded a free ($3.95 one time charge) newsgroup (teranews.com),
a few days ago (before downloading netscape), since netscape ISP
only does mail - and it was working fine, and now it will not work,
and I know it has something to do with the netscape stuff (which I
have uninstalled, and wiped out the folders in program files manually
- but like I have heard about AOL, who
knows what's still left). Do you have any idea what happened to my
teranews - it will not connect now, but it did work before
downloading and testing netscape - as a matter of fact I think it was
working while I was testing netscape, but it doesn't now.

I would like to try Localnet, but it will cost me a $12.95 one time
non refundable
charge, plus the $9.95 fee which may also be non refundable (I asked
the girl in
sales if I could get it back if I canceled immediately and she didn't
know). Check this site out http://www.localnet.com/isp_compare.phtml.
Its unbelievable. I dialed the tech support number to ask some
questions and a person answered the phone on the second or third ring
(no phone trees or anything - incredible - and he spoke perfect
English - they are in Buffalo like I said).

The person told me the Localnet service definitely had both mail and
news, and that they were ABSOLUTELY compatible with OE, but that's
what netscape said also (and it is not true, unless I have something
wrong with my IE/OE installation, which I doubt).

After having trouble with netscape, I am afraid of trying Localnet
and lose the $23 if I can't get the mail and news on my OE (I have
windows xpsp2 home edition - the latest). Also, I would have to drop
them if the connection speeds were no good, but that is a chance I am
willing to take, but I am a little queasy about the mail and news
being compatible with OE. The kid said they would walk you through
it if you had problems, but there is only so many boxes to check and
uncheck, and I am pretty familiar with that stuff, but maybe an
individual ISP requires a strange mix of settings (if you will). At
least I would be able to speak to someone who speaks good English if
I had trouble.
Incidentally the netscape access number (that was consistently 45.2)
did connect to a different exchange than my AT&T number, so it may be
a router problem with verizon to the AT&T exchange.

What do you all think. Should I give Localnet a chance, and do you
know anyone who has them, and can verify the mail and news are
absolutely compatible with OE. I just lost another one month bill to
AT&T because I would have had to change my account last night at 7:00
pm (oh well). I need to get a provider that will give me at least 40
kbps consistently (like almost always). The netscape connection
always came up the same (45.2) after many tests. My AT&T connection
was always the same before something happened, and it started
fluctuating between 46.6 and 28.8.
Please get back to me. Thanks...Pete

I have been using localnet for ages and ages and ages. Since before the dawn
of man it seems. Maybe even slightly longer. I highly recommend them. (You
can trace my IP from the headers in this message if you want. <g> And any
other message for the past billion and seven years.) I really highly
recommend them. Okay so it hasn't been that long but it's been a long time
now. For three dollars more you get the Propel compression software that
makes things load more quickly by setting you up to run through a proxy
server. It's good for text, bad for graphics, and doesn't speed your
downloads up one bit. Newsgroups aren't, at this point, accelerated.

Galen
--

"Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and
its solution is its own reward."

Sherlock Holmes

 

[Phillips]

For faster web surfing you simply modify your hosts file (or google for one)
such that no ads are downloaded and stored in IE Temp Files. You can also
twak IE settings for security, graphics, sound etc.
Michael

 

[Galen]

In Pete <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Galen...my messages have not been getting to you (ie they are not
listed in the this thread). I believe it has something to do with
Localnet. Please let me know if you got this...Pete

<snip as it's no longer important>

I got it. I doubt it has anything to do with localnet though. I've used
localnet to access newsgroups in the past. However for accessing the
Microsoft newsgroups I use this information here:

Access MS Newsgroups :
http://kgiii.info/windows/all/general/msnewsgroups.html

Localnet is just a rather basic ISP with all the bells and whistles but low
cost and fairly decent support. They don't seem to restrict anything - I
haven't ever found any restrictions in the past. I can't think of a reason
why LocalNet would be to blame for my not seeing the posts?

Galen
--

"Chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem, and
its solution is its own reward."

Sherlock Holmes

 

[Pete]

In Pete <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

<snip as it's no longer important>

I got it. I doubt it has anything to do with localnet though. I've used
localnet to access newsgroups in the past. However for accessing the
Microsoft newsgroups I use this information here:

Access MS Newsgroups :
http://kgiii.info/windows/all/general/msnewsgroups.html

Thanks Galen...I already had the MS news server in OE and I sent the
messages from there (the ones you may have got, but didn't post on my end -
only one of the three posted on the MS server, the last one - but 2 out of 3
posted on my teranews server, and 2 out of 3 posted on my localnet news
server - the first one I sent you didn't post on any of the servers -
strange stuff ). I have done an inordinate amount of testing, and
everything seems to be all right now (I will even be more comfortable if
this posts, and you respond back again).

I love Localnet (I wish I knew about them years ago, they are awesome -
news/mail and free live tech support for $9.95, unbelievable). I think I
have worked out all the bugs, and they connect at all three phone numbers at
46.6, never a miss. I have ascertained that I have to remove my AT&T mail
account (I will be canceling them at the end of the billing cycle) in order
for the Localnet mail to work in OE. That's just the way it is, no if's,
and's, or but's - it's some peculiarity, maybe due to the AT&T software, and
how it ties in with OE - I tried putting "smtp.localnet.com" in "outgoing
mail" of AT&T in accounts, and that didn't work either - you HAVE to remove
the AT&T account, then everthing works okay. Localnet has no idea why.

Please respond to let me know if you got this, and then I will be rest
assured everything is working okay...Pete

 

[Chuck]

Since you are using a dialup connection--
The local phone company or companies between you and the dial up IP usually
have a great deal to do with the kind of problems you mention.
Complain to them about "intermittent noise" on your line for a start. Then
complain about "odd sounding voices" that occur intermittently.
The idea is to get the phone company to do a frequency response check, then
use a TDR test set to check for poor quality splices, etc. Finally, analog
phone signals are usually converted to a digital form somewhere within the
phone companies system. If this conversion or an equipment mismatch causes
too many bit to be dropped, a modem will not work very well. You might also
complain that you have intermittent problems faxing, since they are sort of
bound to support that service.

In some communities, 28.8 to 32 is the best modem speed obtainable, due to
old cables and long runs to the exchange or next piece of phone company
equipment in the path. I used to have two phone lines. One would work fairly
reliabily to 43 the other to only 32-38. After several years of fighting
with the phone company, and the fact that they wanted $100 to replace my
analog service with DSL, I went to one line, and cable modem service.
Naturally, I kept the best of the two lines for basic phone service.
One of the more amusing things that came out of the hassle was that the
local phone company had disabled the higher frequencies of their tone
generator in the local exchange, since too many lines would fail the
frequency response checks. It seems that the deregulation of phone companies
freed them of the formal requirement to meet the old mandated federal
standards.