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Solve : AT&T DSL Internet...YOU GOTTA HEAR THIS!!!?

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ok! Ok! Ok!
I'm dumd and a CRUMB about pc stuff. So tell me how dumb am I here?
I've been on the phone for about an hour with an AT&T tech support guy (very nice and respectful. Not prob with him personally!)
He has me do an AT&T speed test which was BAD!!!
Why was my internet slow???
My new pc receiving updates is one reason my surfing and internet speed is slow. He shows me how my network is "busy" with all the traffic from the downloads from the updates of Windows. Sooooo.....he, with my permission, takes remote control of my pc and sets my windows updates to take place (as I request) at 4 a.m. rather than all through the day.
Then he shows me how to delete my cookies. Now look. I've had this pc for only a few days! I didn't have all that many yet!
Then he tells me my surfing should be much faster! I try it and it was a wee bit faster. I tried a video on you tube and I had the same problem as ever. BUFFERING!!!!!! LOTS OF IT!
He explains how I'll need to go up to a more expensive internet speed if I want to watch movies and videos w/o those problems, b/c I was on the internet service that was AT&T's busiest. I was surprised and told him that my OLD pc used to play movies and videos well up until about a couple of years ago with the same internet service I have NOW! I went on to say that maybe I should just switch to Comcast b/c I was already paying $28 a month as it was and Comcast will let me have internet for as cheap or cheaper! Then I told him that I realized that was NOT his problem of course! (I honestly was not upset at him. He's only doing what he's told!) After I said that, since he has remote access to my pc, he goes and downloads (again with my permission) a video accelerator from CNET.com! He said it will help stop all the buffering. Then my cordless phone went dead. I tried ouit a video on you tube and it STILL buffered...maybe not quite as bad, but it STILL BUFFERED!!!
What's a breadcrumb to do?Live with it.Wow.
You couldn't have been ruder if you had told me to "shove it where the sun doesn't shine".Your issue is probably due to how far you are from the telephone exchange and the quality of the telephone lines to your property.  Ask AT&T what speed you should be getting (i.e. what you are paying for).  If the speed you are getting is drastically lower than this, get AT&T out to check your telephone line and repair it if needed (Threatening to leave them can sometimes help at this point).

If the line is really bad or you are far from the exchange then you may be out of luck.  At that stage moving to a cable connection instead of DSL would be your safest bet since cable is a lot less dependant on distance and line quality.  You may be able to get a good deal from Comcast if you combine broadband with your cable TV.

Quote from: Geek-9pm on June 08, 2014, 10:08:56 PM

Live with it.
I don't even.... Why do you feel it is acceptable to treat someone like that on here?  How do you think that that will at all help them? Quote from: breadcrumb on June 08, 2014, 10:44:08 PM
Wow.
You couldn't have been ruder if you had told me to "shove it where the sun doesn't shine".

I couldn't agree more. I apologize for Geek's comment and assure you that's not how we treat people on this site.Thank you both very much! Especially you Cameron! I was looking for guidance. I admit that I am a lot "clueless" about all things relating to pcs. 
Mom and I are on a tight budget. And so if I make a wrong decision about combining phone, tv, internet, I will be left feeling terrible. That's another reason why I am asking so very many questions before I do anything.
Most of what I've learned about my pc and the internet I've had to teach myself. I have no one to show me the way. Computers did not become the "norm" until many years after I graduated HIGH school. Now my pc is about my only form of recreation, outside of tv (I am on disability).
Anyway, I do plan to check with comcast about the pricing. It doesn't hurt to ask and I will also talk to AT&T like you suggested.
any thanks and I'm sorry if my questions seem dumb.
breadcrumbThere are no "dumb" questions, only dumb response, as Geek displayed above.OK. I will apologize.
I also have DSL from the same big company and  craps about twice a day and I call them about once a week.

This neighborhood is in the south of town and is considered the "low-rent " area. The line noise level quality varies from near perfect to a Star Wars SOUND track.

When I call for help, sometimes I get very sharp and polite service representatives that try the best that can. But the problems persist. Other times  I get people who have strange accent. It varies.

I have learned to just accept it. I can not change the world. But I still hope.

So yes, I understand the frustration. The troubleshooting tips they provide do not bring a lasting solution. And it is the same thing over again. Unplug the modem. Check the filter. Is a phone off the hook? Some routine.
I have three computers. It can happen on any one of them.
Geek,
I am sorry that AT&T are treating you badly!
I will DEFINITELY be calling them and seeing what I can do!  If I have to threaten to change over to Comcast, I will! If I can't go any faster than what I am, why am I paying for DSL?
My old dial-up was about as fast as this is and definitely cheaper!
Comcast is a crappy company, I know and they are expensive too!
But I am going to explore every option I have before I give up!
I have even considered the idea of getting cable and internet via Comcast and use one of those "Magic Jack" or "Basic Talk"land line phones that you can have for real cheap each month as long as you have broadband internet. Yes, I'm checking ALL my options out! When I run out of options, then, if I MUST, I'll throw in the towel! But NOT until then!
I hope that you can get something worked out too!
BreadcrumbIf you live near an airport, see if you can get a job inside. The have free Wi-Fi.
Quote from: Geek-9pm on June 09, 2014, 10:43:02 PM
If you live near an airport, see if you can get a job inside. The have free Wi-Fi.
Quote from: Geek-9pm on June 09, 2014, 10:43:02 PM
If you live near an airport, see if you can get a job inside. The have free Wi-Fi.


What the *censored* is wrong with you? If you think you're being funny, you're not. You're simply being sarcastic and I for one have had enough. Knock it off immediately.Sigh.
Thanks, Allan.
I tried. I really really did.
BreadcrumbI got on the phone with another ATT tech yesterday. Long story short: my DSL filter/splitter was bad.
I went to Radio Shack and bought another one ($21.49 plus tax!!!!...almost fainted!!!!!) and it has helped a lot.
Nonetheless, the acceptable speeds under ATT's "Fast Access Lite internet" is pathetic! They only promise .22-.76 on DL and .06-higher on UL., so they said I am in the perimeters of the plan I pay for when I had plugged the DSL line directly into the phone jack. The speed then was download .58 mbps and the upload was .11 mbps.
It looks like I'm off to Comcast. If I go with them, I can return the splitter to Radio Shack (according to RS...I'm not cheating them, guys!)
Comcast has a plan where I can get phone (wireless...not thrilled about that), internet, and 120 channels cable tv for $100 a month for a year then it goes up to $125 for second year. However, that includes the DVR which we are currently paying $18 a month for!
Most of you have been really nice to me and so I wanted to let you know what happened.
i will also let you know when I find out about the Comcast for 100% sure!
Thanks!
BreadcrumbShame you had to do that...AT&T gives those filters out like candy...
You shold have 1 on all lines...wether they are connected or not for best results.
Return the 1 you bought and ask them to stop by and grab a handful...it's part of the Service Contract.


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