[dontbreakme]

I just have to say I am so freaking irritated. My internet/phone keeps coming on and going out every so often. It happens about every two weeks and then it'll just go out completely. I'll schedule an appt which of course means 2 - 3 days from then and by the time they come its back up again, and they can't find anything wrong. It's gone out/come back on about 4 times in the last two hours. Which is usually a sign that it'll be out for good in awhile. So annoying!!! I'm so sick of dealing with this. The last time the guy came and tweaked something outside and claimed to give me more signal or something but yet this still happens. Just had to let that out since nobody at comcast cares

[Jayden'sMommy]

I spent an hour on the phone yesterday with comcast trying to get my internet back up and running. Only to find out that it is actually my wireless router that is slowly dying...thus the intermittent service. My internet works perfect if I plug my computer directly into the modem. I have a "connected" sign when I go off the wireless...but no webpages come up!! Hope you can figure out what is wrong with yours!!

[Faith]

I feel your pain. I used to have Comcast and they're enough to drive you to drink! Good luck!

[dontbreakme]

Personally I think it's just comcast messing with me. I think they are turning it on and off to drive me insane that way I won't notice if they raise my bill or anything because I'll be too far off the deep end j/k

[Jayden'sMommy]

They can be like that!! I agree wholeheartedly!!

[*Ems*Cakes]

Ok, for all you Comcast-ers out there..

I had their service for 4 years and never paid full price. They absolutely HATE it when customers call up threatening to cancel their service due to bad signals, high prices, etc.

I would call every few months and threaten to cancel unless they could get me a better rate. Lo and behold, each time the CS rep would look up a special that they were running and give me a discounted rate!

For me, cable and internet were each $45/mo. I don't think I ever paid more than 19.99 a piece.

You know, all those commercials you see on TV for specials like "Get 3 months for only 19.99 per month! Call now!" type things.

Once your rate runs out, just give em another call!

HTH!

[Kt&Cj'sMama]

I have comcast too and feel your pain!

[patbruck]

I don't have comcast, but Time Warner is available in our area. I think all cable companies conspire with one another and agree to suck so that they have no competition. You try calling and it takes forever to get thru, only to speak to a customer svc rep who has no idea what you're talking about. I have tried calling countless times to save money on our bill and the last time I called the rep actually told me, "well I see here you have a DVR. If you really want to save money, you should drop that service" since when are they supposed to advise me to get RID of their services???

We currently pay 125/month for unlimited phone, roadrunner internet (supposedly the "slow" version of roadrunner b/c it was cheaper - ha! I can't tell the difference from "regular" roadrunner!) and digital cable with a DVR. oh, a HD DVR. it would be cheaper if we would dump the HD part but my DH won't let us. I guess that's really not terrible, since I know my parents got a really good rate years back for 99/month for all three, but they don't have the DVR service.

[Jayden'sMommy]

Unfortunately, Comcast is our only provider (talking about a monopoly!!). Not really, but we rent so we are not allowed any time of dish that attaches to the house, nor verizons new system where they install a box outside the house. I swear Comcast knows this and screws us over!!

[Carina]

We HATE Comcast and are waiting for A TT to role out their new cable service.

As for Comcast I stopped getting paper bills for no reason. When I realized that I was missing a bill, I called them and asked for it to be sent. I never got it for 5 months. WTH I wanted to pay the bill. Finally I got a over due notice DUH, then I went to a Comcast office to pay the bill. I have no clue what they are doing since I get all my other bills on time. This month I will be all over it if they don't send me a bill. I mean come on I want a paper bill I don't like internet paying of the bills and I never ever signed up for pay on the internet service. Ughh they are just a mess to deal with.

[Fohrenburger]

Originally Posted by Jayden'sMommy

Unfortunately, Comcast is our only provider (talking about a monopoly!!). Not really, but we rent so we are not allowed any time of dish that attaches to the house, nor verizons new system where they install a box outside the house. I swear Comcast knows this and screws us over!!

Are you aware that all ISP's (Internet Service Providers) have been given permission by the Government to TRACK everything you do while on the Internet? YEP, go ahead and Google it, ISP'S Tracking Members, etc. You will find a ton of pages about how the ISP's are ALLOWED to track it's members and sell that info to 3rd parties for future target ad's popups and revenue.

Perhaps people don't really care if they are tracked or not. I am not one of those people. Even though I have nothing to hide, it is the Principle behind it that gets me mad about all of this nonsense. Invasion of Privacy.

Thank you for your time and have a Great Day!

[Fohrenburger]

For those who are not aware of the following, this will really get you mad, but NOTHING can be done about it.

The National Expositor - NSA Had Access Built into Microsoft Windows

Thank you for your time and have a Great Day!

[Fohrenburger]

About 3 or 4 years ago, I found the Security Program at Best Buy - Ghost Surf. It hides your IP Address while you are using the Internet. So, I figured I would try it out and see what happens. Well, it worked pretty good but it did slow down my browsing, as it had to connect to all the sites using Ghost Surf servers, etc. Anyway, at that time, my ISP was always sending signals out to see if you are online or not. They call it Heart Beat Pings, my Zone Alarm Firewall would light up with an alert everytime, asking me if I would like to allow this connection from my ISP, as it is supposed to be very safe. YEAH RIGHT! No, I always denied the connection, as you never know if they are really who they say they are and besides, how do you know when they connect to your computer, they are NOT removing any files or personal information. You don't know, until something happens later on, then it is too late.

Well, this Ghost Surf program really made my ISP so mad, that they were sending me emails, if I was online or not. This is how the program works, now it may have changed since then, I really don't know, as I am not using it anymore. Anyway, when you sign on to the Internet using whatever methods to get online, your ISP will connect you. Once connected, you will Disappear off your ISP Monitor Screens and they do not know where you are, as you will be using the Ghost Surf servers to browse the Internet. When I received those emails from my ISP, I would tell them yes I am online, can't you see me, you connected me to the Internet. I can imagine what was going through their minds and how I could just disappear. Needless to say, they were NOT HAPPY.

But, like I had mentioned above, I stopped using it and got myself a small Security Device Appliance, called Alpha Shield, which is like a Router that blocks incoming pings and keeps you pretty safe into catching anything nasty. Actually, it is a Hardware Firewall. I also use a Software Firewall, and that is Zone Alarm, that monitors all of mine outbound connections to the Internet. If something is calling out to their home base and it is not legit site, then Zone Alarm will alert me if I want to allow it or not, most of the time I will not, unless I can not get onto that site, then I would have to allow it. Zone Alarm also monitors all incoming connections, not just out going, but my Alpha Shield protects me much better and with ZA and Alpha Shield I am well protected.

Thank you for your time and have a GREAT DAY!

[KeizerMom]

Originally Posted by Fohrenburger

For those who are not aware of the following, this will really get you mad, but NOTHING can be done about it.

The National Expositor - NSA Had Access Built into Microsoft Windows

Thank you for your time and have a Great Day!

Before anyone gets too freaked out, read this:

_NSAKEY - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That article about NSA spying on us through our computers is nine years old and has been debunked time and time again. It's simply not true.

[patbruck]

You typically don't see more than one cable company in a particular region competing against one another. However, AT&T was recently introduced to our area as an alternative to cable (we would not consider sattelite/dish) and DH called last Sunday to talk to a CSR about the service. Guess what? CLOSED. at least time warner has someone for you to talk to anytime. so there's a strike against them already, .

[dontbreakme]

Well just wanted to add today's irritation to the thread. Woke up this morning with no internet. Blinking blinking lights galore. I call them the blinking light of death I finally got the bright idea to unhook my cable from the downstairs tv and Wahlah. I have internet. Which I should NOT have to do. But at least I am able to get on and grab the address I needed for a trade. Geez.

[Fohrenburger]

Originally Posted by KeizerMom

Before anyone gets too freaked out, read this:

_NSAKEY - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That article about NSA spying on us through our computers is nine years old and has been debunked time and time again. It's simply not true.

How do you know it is not true? How do you think the FEDS get into your computer to see what you are doing?

Sorry, we all have our different opinions.

Have a nice day!

[KeizerMom]

Originally Posted by Fohrenburger

How do you know it is not true? How do you think the FEDS get into your computer to see what you are doing?

Sorry, we all have our different opinions.

Have a nice day!

I know it's not true because I researched the claims and learned the facts. I do not believe the "FEDS" get into my computer to see what I'm doing.

First of all, I don't think they care what I'm doing.

Second of all, I'm familiar with enough cases that involve computer forensics and such and have intimate knowledge of what information the prosecutors are privvy to. If the "FEDS" could see into computers to see what people are doing we'd have a LOT more slamdunk cases against Child Pornographers, against hackers, crackers, identity thieves, spammers, etc, etc.

Does the federal gov't have methods of tracking certain things? Sure, they can embed signatures in files and images, this is well known about Kiddie Porn, but even this proves that they're not "seeing into" the computers. They simply have the ability to confirm the origin of certain things. Much like serial numbers on your TV.

And finally, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. If the gov't were capable of doing these things I'm rather certain they'd be going after terrorists, not your average house-wife looking for deals on coupons.

Be wary, but don't be hysterical.

[Fohrenburger]

Originally Posted by KeizerMom

I know it's not true because I researched the claims and learned the facts. I do not believe the "FEDS" get into my computer to see what I'm doing.

First of all, I don't think they care what I'm doing.

Second of all, I'm familiar with enough cases that involve computer forensics and such and have intimate knowledge of what information the prosecutors are privvy to. If the "FEDS" could see into computers to see what people are doing we'd have a LOT more slamdunk cases against Child Pornographers, against hackers, crackers, identity thieves, spammers, etc, etc.

Does the federal gov't have methods of tracking certain things? Sure, they can embed signatures in files and images, this is well known about Kiddie Porn, but even this proves that they're not "seeing into" the computers. They simply have the ability to confirm the origin of certain things. Much like serial numbers on your TV.

And finally, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. If the gov't were capable of doing these things I'm rather certain they'd be going after terrorists, not your average house-wife looking for deals on coupons.

Be wary, but don't be hysterical.

YES, I see your point and I appreciate you telling us about the FEDS. I am NOT any one of those so called Criminals, etc stated in your post. It's a matter of Principle, like in Privacy. There is a program that Microsoft has built into all the computers that is called NETSTAT. At any time I can run the command, which brings it out to the DOS Prompt and I can actually see who is Listening or trying to get into my computer. Right now, since talking about the FEDS, I am seeing the following IP Address listening into my computer. Here is the address:
12.110.110.204. It belongs to the NSA.GOV. Seems kind of strange for them to be listening, doesn't it?

Thanks for your explanation and have a nice day!

[KeizerMom]

ARIN: WHOIS Database Search

12.110.110.204 - actually, that's ATT.NET

And belongs to: lingualistek.com

WELCOME TO
LinguaLISTek

Linking State-of-the-Art Software
Solutions with Languages Worldwide

Lingual Information System Technologies, Inc (LinguaLISTek) is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art business solutions to customers in various industries providing support throughout the life cycle of a project.

LinguaLISTek is ...

- Woman-owned
- Veteran-owned
- Minority-owned
- 8(a) Certified
- Small & Disadvantaged

We are dedicated to providing exceptional service in technological advances for your technological needs.

A) I never said you were a criminal or involved in any of the activities I listed.

B) If you really think the NSA is actively monitoring your computer usage as you post on AFC, there's nothing I can say to change your mind.

[IAmFrugal]

Originally Posted by dontbreakme

I just have to say I am so freaking irritated. My internet/phone keeps coming on and going out every so often. It happens about every two weeks and then it'll just go out completely. I'll schedule an appt which of course means 2 - 3 days from then and by the time they come its back up again, and they can't find anything wrong. It's gone out/come back on about 4 times in the last two hours. Which is usually a sign that it'll be out for good in awhile. So annoying!!! I'm so sick of dealing with this. The last time the guy came and tweaked something outside and claimed to give me more signal or something but yet this still happens. Just had to let that out since nobody at comcast cares

Mine started doing that around the middle of October. They can never come at the time it's happening, so it makes it really hard for them to diagnose it. They love to blame my modem, because it's not the latest model. I stopped renting one from them, so I think that annoys them because they lost my rental money.
They blamed my modem a couple of years ago when they were out over and over and replaced all my cables. The techs would tell me the truth that I didn't get from the people on the phones, which was that our whole neighborhood had problems. I think they eventually replaced all the old wires that were there when they took over from Roadrunner. After that, I had no more problems till this month.
My main beef with them is they never tell customers what problems specifically were found. They never want to admit they do anything wrong. And now they are starting something called SmartZone for their webmail, which I am dreading after reading all the nasty posts about it on their forums, by people who have already been forcibly switched to it.

[dontbreakme]

Originally Posted by IAmFrugal

Mine started doing that around the middle of October. They can never come at the time it's happening, so it makes it really hard for them to diagnose it. They love to blame my modem, because it's not the latest model. I stopped renting one from them, so I think that annoys them because they lost my rental money.
They blamed my modem a couple of years ago when they were out over and over and replaced all my cables. The techs would tell me the truth that I didn't get from the people on the phones, which was that our whole neighborhood had problems. I think they eventually replaced all the old wires that were there when they took over from Roadrunner. After that, I had no more problems till this month.
My main beef with them is they never tell customers what problems specifically were found. They never want to admit they do anything wrong. And now they are starting something called SmartZone for their webmail, which I am dreading after reading all the nasty posts about it on their forums, by people who have already been forcibly switched to it.

Yeah they can never tell me what the problem is. I lose service on average about 2 - 3 times a week for usually anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. I noticed it happens on friday afternoons MOST though!!!

As for the smartzone stuff I'm not too impressed. They did away with being able to view your multiple email accounts under the main account. You can still "ADD" them but you have to click "Get external mail" within that box now. And when you delete the mail while under the main account it still doesn't delete it from the normal inbox for that account. You have to log out and log into that account to do that. Very tedious if you ask me. And they took away the "favorite channels' on the tv planner page too... Not sure WHAT they are thinking as to me these are both beneficial things????? Comcast sucks.

[BStroh]

I HATE Comcast. Worst cust. service ever! I feel your pain.

[Kt&Cj'sMama]

Hey,
Mine would do that too.... cutting off for 5 minutes sometimes to hours other times. I kept having the service guys come out and they kept saying it was this or that and that everything was ok now. BS. Kept happening. So the last time I called, I flat out told them to either fix it right this time or I was returning the equipment the next evening.
They had the nads to tell me I was going to be charged for a service tech to come out here! Uh, no. Fix your crappy service!
So the guy comes out. I tell him, calmly, that Im tired of the crappy service. Fix it for good or you can take that blinking box with you. He runs the same tests the other did and said it was ok. I said, of course it is ok now, you are here.... once you leave, it will go off again. So he goes outside and is coming in and out for about 20 minutes. Then he apologizes, said the guy who installed it in the first place did it wrong... something about it being installed on the 14th wire, not the 1st like it needed to be. He said he was surprised I had service at all at that weak signal.
I havent had problem with it since... do you think that could be your problem?
I am kinda stuck with them. No one else offers service here.

[dontbreakme]

Originally Posted by Kt&Cj'sMama

Hey,
Mine would do that too.... cutting off for 5 minutes sometimes to hours other times. I kept having the service guys come out and they kept saying it was this or that and that everything was ok now. BS. Kept happening. So the last time I called, I flat out told them to either fix it right this time or I was returning the equipment the next evening.
They had the nads to tell me I was going to be charged for a service tech to come out here! Uh, no. Fix your crappy service!
So the guy comes out. I tell him, calmly, that Im tired of the crappy service. Fix it for good or you can take that blinking box with you. He runs the same tests the other did and said it was ok. I said, of course it is ok now, you are here.... once you leave, it will go off again. So he goes outside and is coming in and out for about 20 minutes. Then he apologizes, said the guy who installed it in the first place did it wrong... something about it being installed on the 14th wire, not the 1st like it needed to be. He said he was surprised I had service at all at that weak signal.
I havent had problem with it since... do you think that could be your problem?
I am kinda stuck with them. No one else offers service here.

I'm really not sure. I live in an apartment complex and the tech said there are a few other people who have the service too. But the last guy that came went out and said he'd changed a few things to give me more of a signal and hoped that would help. Its better than it was, b ut it still goes out. And its so weird bc like I said I noticed it happens on Fridays a LOT. To keep things running smoothly I have to leave the cable box downstairs unplugged unless I am goign to watch something there. That seems to help and I just hook it up when I am down there watching. (Which is not often.) But its still annoying. Because if the internet goes out, so does the phone... I hope to get another service after the new year. I think some different companies will be offering them then.