1
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: April 07, 2009, 08:12:03 AM »
krissel,
Thank you very much! Now I know.
Thank you very much! Now I know.
The friendly Mac forum.
News:
SMF - Just Installed!
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
2
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: April 07, 2009, 12:02:43 AM »
One last question. I currently have Safari 1.3.2 for a browser.
Each time I want to access e-mail through my new Comcast account, I first get a message that I should upgrade my browser.
Given the specs for my iMac, can I upgrade my Safari? If so, what would be a comfortable version to get? The Comcast page (http://support.apple.com/downloads/#internet) gives me a list of a lot of versions. It's hard to know which one(s) actually apply to my situation.
As always, any feedback will be highly appreciated!
Each time I want to access e-mail through my new Comcast account, I first get a message that I should upgrade my browser.
Given the specs for my iMac, can I upgrade my Safari? If so, what would be a comfortable version to get? The Comcast page (http://support.apple.com/downloads/#internet) gives me a list of a lot of versions. It's hard to know which one(s) actually apply to my situation.
As always, any feedback will be highly appreciated!
3
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: March 27, 2009, 09:41:24 AM »
By the way, Comcast has given me 3 months of free Internet service for my troubles.
4
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: March 26, 2009, 10:18:20 AM »
Hi folks,
As some of you may remember, I could not get Comcast Internet service after I signed up with them last month. When I'd call Comcast they kept insisting that as far as they could tell everything was fine on their end and implied that it was likely my iMac that had the problem.
My problem was finally solved today, if you can believe it.
After going back and forth with Comcast, with them insisting that I disconnect my ethernet cable from my computer and modem (EMTA), wait for a couple of minutes, then connect it again, pull-out the back-up battery from the modem, then re-install it again, etc, etc, we finally ran out of trouble-shooting options.
I even took my computer to the local Apple store and it connected to their Internet with no problem. When I told Comcast this, they then told me that I needed to contact Apple. They were convinced that the problem was with my iMac. I gave up at this point since I was so busy with a renovation project at home in addition to my regular job.
But last week an idea suddenly popped into my head. Why not google to find out the e-mail address for Comcast's CEO? I found it! I sent him an e-mail explaining my problem. I got a phone call from a Comcast office in Canada! I explained to them my problem. They said they would send a technician to my home who knew Macs and would also bring another modem with him in case the one I had was defective.
Well, he came today and has just left. After doing a couple of checks, he determined that I had a bad modem. The modem I had was indicating that I had an Internet connection when I didn't. He immediately knew it had a problem when even after he disconnected it, it still indicated that there was an Internet link!
To make a long story short, after he gave me a new modem, I finally had Internet connection! In fact, I'm composing this post with my new Comcast Internet service. I'm no longer using dial-up!
I want to sincerely thank all of you who tried to help me. If it wasn't for your advice, I'd have bought a new Mac only to realize that the problem was with Comcast.
As some of you may remember, I could not get Comcast Internet service after I signed up with them last month. When I'd call Comcast they kept insisting that as far as they could tell everything was fine on their end and implied that it was likely my iMac that had the problem.
My problem was finally solved today, if you can believe it.
After going back and forth with Comcast, with them insisting that I disconnect my ethernet cable from my computer and modem (EMTA), wait for a couple of minutes, then connect it again, pull-out the back-up battery from the modem, then re-install it again, etc, etc, we finally ran out of trouble-shooting options.
I even took my computer to the local Apple store and it connected to their Internet with no problem. When I told Comcast this, they then told me that I needed to contact Apple. They were convinced that the problem was with my iMac. I gave up at this point since I was so busy with a renovation project at home in addition to my regular job.
But last week an idea suddenly popped into my head. Why not google to find out the e-mail address for Comcast's CEO? I found it! I sent him an e-mail explaining my problem. I got a phone call from a Comcast office in Canada! I explained to them my problem. They said they would send a technician to my home who knew Macs and would also bring another modem with him in case the one I had was defective.
Well, he came today and has just left. After doing a couple of checks, he determined that I had a bad modem. The modem I had was indicating that I had an Internet connection when I didn't. He immediately knew it had a problem when even after he disconnected it, it still indicated that there was an Internet link!
To make a long story short, after he gave me a new modem, I finally had Internet connection! In fact, I'm composing this post with my new Comcast Internet service. I'm no longer using dial-up!
I want to sincerely thank all of you who tried to help me. If it wasn't for your advice, I'd have bought a new Mac only to realize that the problem was with Comcast.
5
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: February 26, 2009, 11:47:19 PM »
Hi folks,
After reading all your posts, which were very helpful, you gave me an idea: I decided to take my iMac to my local Apple store (www.apple.com/cambridgeside). They have something called a Genius Bar and you have to book an appointment a day in advance. Well, yesterday (Thursday) evening I had my appointment.
Guess what? When they hooked up my iMac to their Internet, the computer worked like a charm! The built--in ethernet grabbed an IP address with no problem.
So the problem is not with my computer. It's with Comcast.
Got to sleep. I'll deal with this in the morning. It's already past midnight.
But just want to thank all of you for your feedback, and giving me the idea to leave home and get my iMac tested by someone else.
After reading all your posts, which were very helpful, you gave me an idea: I decided to take my iMac to my local Apple store (www.apple.com/cambridgeside). They have something called a Genius Bar and you have to book an appointment a day in advance. Well, yesterday (Thursday) evening I had my appointment.
Guess what? When they hooked up my iMac to their Internet, the computer worked like a charm! The built--in ethernet grabbed an IP address with no problem.
So the problem is not with my computer. It's with Comcast.
Got to sleep. I'll deal with this in the morning. It's already past midnight.
But just want to thank all of you for your feedback, and giving me the idea to leave home and get my iMac tested by someone else.
6
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: February 24, 2009, 04:35:54 PM »
Hi Jack W, Paddy & others,
Sorry for being so slow to respond but I've not had my normal dial-up connection, leave alone the Comcast Internet. I'm posting this message from a library computer.
Paddy: I had already gone through the process you outline in your message before I posted my thread. My iMac just couldn't create the right ISP number. It kept giving me the 169.xxx.xxx number.
A Comcast technician finally came to my home this morning. After a couple of tries he gave up. He said that I could not get an Internet connection because either my operating system was too old (they require OS 10.4 or above but when I was setting up the account they told me OS 10.3.9 was okay), the iMac was too old or the ethernet card had a problem.
My question is this: If I wanted to get a used but better Mac (possibly a laptop since they don't take up much space) which could work with Comast without a problem, do you know a good model? I'm not looking for the latest model. I'm looking for one that's been out a couple of years but would be adequate for my needs. I mostly use my computer for web browsing and word processing. I also would like to try YouTube.
Sorry for being so slow to respond but I've not had my normal dial-up connection, leave alone the Comcast Internet. I'm posting this message from a library computer.
Paddy: I had already gone through the process you outline in your message before I posted my thread. My iMac just couldn't create the right ISP number. It kept giving me the 169.xxx.xxx number.
A Comcast technician finally came to my home this morning. After a couple of tries he gave up. He said that I could not get an Internet connection because either my operating system was too old (they require OS 10.4 or above but when I was setting up the account they told me OS 10.3.9 was okay), the iMac was too old or the ethernet card had a problem.
My question is this: If I wanted to get a used but better Mac (possibly a laptop since they don't take up much space) which could work with Comast without a problem, do you know a good model? I'm not looking for the latest model. I'm looking for one that's been out a couple of years but would be adequate for my needs. I mostly use my computer for web browsing and word processing. I also would like to try YouTube.
7
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: February 22, 2009, 06:37:10 PM »
I finally decided to get "Economy Video" even though it doesn't include MSNBC. At least it gets CNN.
Comcast then went ahead and tried to hook me up with "Economy Internet." I connected my iMac to the Comcast Motorola modem I already had for my cable stations with an ethernet cable. Comcast said that I did not have to download any software. But for some reason I couldn't make an Internet connection. I talked to the Comcast technical support people on the phone. We couldn't figure out what was wrong. One of them claims that my computer is not creating a new IP address as it's supposed to. He scheduled for a technician to come to my home and check it out.
I wonder what could be wrong.
Comcast then went ahead and tried to hook me up with "Economy Internet." I connected my iMac to the Comcast Motorola modem I already had for my cable stations with an ethernet cable. Comcast said that I did not have to download any software. But for some reason I couldn't make an Internet connection. I talked to the Comcast technical support people on the phone. We couldn't figure out what was wrong. One of them claims that my computer is not creating a new IP address as it's supposed to. He scheduled for a technician to come to my home and check it out.
I wonder what could be wrong.
8
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: February 11, 2009, 01:38:22 PM »
Hi Paddy,
I'v3e just double checked with Comcast before answering your question.
You are right. It's not DSL. The 1 megabyte Internet package is called Economy Internet.
By the way, a snag has developed. In terms of the cable channels, if I got Economy Video, as opposed to what I have right now (Digital Starter), I'll lose MSNBC which is one of my most popular channels. So I'm still trying to figure it out.
I'v3e just double checked with Comcast before answering your question.
You are right. It's not DSL. The 1 megabyte Internet package is called Economy Internet.
By the way, a snag has developed. In terms of the cable channels, if I got Economy Video, as opposed to what I have right now (Digital Starter), I'll lose MSNBC which is one of my most popular channels. So I'm still trying to figure it out.
9
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: February 10, 2009, 11:11:12 PM »
Hi folks,
I'm really grateful for all your feedback. I'm responding so late to your postings because I've not been able to log onto my dial-up Internet account via my ISP. I kept getting messages such as:
"No carrier detected. Please check your phone line connection and try again."
Or:
"Could not negotiate a connection with the remote PPP server. Please verify your settings and try again."
And when I called my ISP, the toll free number is constantly busy.
I've just managed to log on but who knows how long I'll be on before I lose the connection?
Yes, folks, this latest experience plus your feedback have finally convinced me to take the plunge: dump my dial-up account and get Comcast's DSL.
My question now is this: Is there anything I can do with my ISP to ensure that the transition from my old e-mail address to the new one that I'll get is smooth? Should I close my dial-up account after a few weeks of having my DSL account?
I'm really grateful for all your feedback. I'm responding so late to your postings because I've not been able to log onto my dial-up Internet account via my ISP. I kept getting messages such as:
"No carrier detected. Please check your phone line connection and try again."
Or:
"Could not negotiate a connection with the remote PPP server. Please verify your settings and try again."
And when I called my ISP, the toll free number is constantly busy.
I've just managed to log on but who knows how long I'll be on before I lose the connection?
Yes, folks, this latest experience plus your feedback have finally convinced me to take the plunge: dump my dial-up account and get Comcast's DSL.
My question now is this: Is there anything I can do with my ISP to ensure that the transition from my old e-mail address to the new one that I'll get is smooth? Should I close my dial-up account after a few weeks of having my DSL account?
10
2009 / Dial-up vs DSL
« on: February 02, 2009, 01:35:38 PM »
At the risk of sounding like a really ignorant fool, I'm going to ask a very stupid question.
I've always had a dial-up connection for my Internet through an ISP. At $8.50 per month and unlimited usage, I thought it was a great deal.
For my phone and cable services, I have Comcast. It's a package deal that came as an introductory offer and I was paying about $85.00 per month. When this offer ended, 2 months ago, my Comcast bill went up to $108.44 per month.
However, Comcast says that for $106.00 and with a smaller cable channel selection (Economy Video), I can also get DSL for my Internet connection (they went through the cable channels I would lose and most of them I don't watch anyway). They say that the DSL speed is 1 megabyte.
My question is this: if I get DSL and still use my iMac, will I notice a big difference in my Internet speed compared to my present dial-up? The dial-up is at 56K but the ISP says it's really 53K. I know that presently I cannot stream nor use YouTube. Would I be able to stream and watch YouTube with DSL?
I've always had a dial-up connection for my Internet through an ISP. At $8.50 per month and unlimited usage, I thought it was a great deal.
For my phone and cable services, I have Comcast. It's a package deal that came as an introductory offer and I was paying about $85.00 per month. When this offer ended, 2 months ago, my Comcast bill went up to $108.44 per month.
However, Comcast says that for $106.00 and with a smaller cable channel selection (Economy Video), I can also get DSL for my Internet connection (they went through the cable channels I would lose and most of them I don't watch anyway). They say that the DSL speed is 1 megabyte.
My question is this: if I get DSL and still use my iMac, will I notice a big difference in my Internet speed compared to my present dial-up? The dial-up is at 56K but the ISP says it's really 53K. I know that presently I cannot stream nor use YouTube. Would I be able to stream and watch YouTube with DSL?
11
2008 / Stupid question regarding Instant Messenger
« on: October 03, 2008, 11:50:59 PM »QUOTE(Al @ Oct 1 2008, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
LOL, oops, yes, it was EARLY! 
Hi Al & Paddy,
Thanks so much for telling me about Adium.
However, I have a dial-up connection so downloading is tricky. So far, I've not been able to successfully download it. After a while it tells me that an error occurredand stops downloading.
But I'll keep trying.
Thanks.
12
2008 / Stupid question regarding Instant Messenger
« on: September 30, 2008, 11:56:25 PM »
Believe it or not, I've finally figured out how to use Yahoo Instant Messenger.
1) My question now is this: Can someone on iChat chat with someone on Yahoo Instant Messenger?
2) If so, how does someone on iChat add a buddy who belongs to Yahoo Messenger?
3) How does someone on iChat remove someone from their buddy list?
4) Also, can someone on iChat chat with someone on AIM?
Sorry for asking such dumb questions.
1) My question now is this: Can someone on iChat chat with someone on Yahoo Instant Messenger?
2) If so, how does someone on iChat add a buddy who belongs to Yahoo Messenger?
3) How does someone on iChat remove someone from their buddy list?
4) Also, can someone on iChat chat with someone on AIM?
Sorry for asking such dumb questions.
13
2007 / Why are e-mails to me with attachments bouncing?
« on: December 17, 2007, 09:36:06 AM »
Thank you very much. I wil try to see whether I can get the error message.
14
2007 / Why are e-mails to me with attachments bouncing?
« on: December 16, 2007, 07:25:58 PM »
Whenever my manager at work sends me an e-mail with an attachment, it bounces.
But when she sends an e-mail without an attachment it comes through okay.
Does anyone know why this could be happening?
Any feedback will be highly appreciated.
Thanks.
But when she sends an e-mail without an attachment it comes through okay.
Does anyone know why this could be happening?
Any feedback will be highly appreciated.
Thanks.
15
2008 / Stupid question regarding Instant Messenger
« on: November 26, 2007, 08:37:08 PM »
Hi,
I have an iMac: 350 Mhz/OS10.3.9/80GB hard drive/516 RAM.
Every now and then someone asks me to communicate with them through Instant Messenger. But I've never done so because I did not know whether my computer would allow me.
I know this sounds like a really dumb question but do you know whether I can communicate with someone via Instant Messenger? If so, what software do I need to add to my computer?
Any feedback will be highly appreciated.
Thanks!
I have an iMac: 350 Mhz/OS10.3.9/80GB hard drive/516 RAM.
Every now and then someone asks me to communicate with them through Instant Messenger. But I've never done so because I did not know whether my computer would allow me.
I know this sounds like a really dumb question but do you know whether I can communicate with someone via Instant Messenger? If so, what software do I need to add to my computer?
Any feedback will be highly appreciated.
Thanks!