Author Topic: Authentication problem  (Read 2509 times)

Offline goodear

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Authentication problem
« on: July 26, 2007, 12:56:14 PM »
I have yet to hear WHY the following problem occurs, but this might be the first time I am asking it here.

I use Remote Access to get online with dialup, Macintosh system 9.2, ISP is AT&T Yahoo. Most of the time, no problem.
But every now and then when I try getting online, it says "authentic failed, check user ID and password." This happens for an hour or more, then later on I get online successfully.

What I can't figure out is, if the server is overloaded or clogged up with excessive numbers of people getting online, why wouldn't it say something like "server busy, try later." And, it seems to me, very few people tinker around with their user ID and password. Certainly I don't. Why does that message "check user ID and password" come up if I haven't touched my user ID and password? And, why does this problem happen sometimes but not always?!?  Thank you.

By the way, I have asked the server (AT&T Yahoo) about this problem and they haven't a clue. They also suggest configurations which consistently do not work. Their incompetence is mind-boggling.
« Last Edit: July 26, 2007, 12:59:22 PM by goodear »

Offline krissel

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Authentication problem
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2007, 02:11:10 AM »
It's most likely ATT. They used to be really good with connections but I think they are getting cheap and cutting back on servers. My Dad has them as his ISP and for a few months now he dials up and gets what is supposed to be a connection (all the sounds are there and the menubar and Internet Connect say there is a connection and tick of the minutes.) BUT he is NOT connected. He often has to try the second number a few times before he will actually get a viable connection.

I told him to try Google if he can't load up a page within a minute or if he sees "looking" at the bottom of the browser window. That is a giveaway that he really isn't online. He then has to manually disconnect and try again.
In your case with the older systems sometimes restarting can clear a modem that is 'hung' up trying to get online. But other than that or trying a different number there isn't much for you to do other than complain. You may get them to give you another number in your area that isn't widely circulated. I did that once a few years back when ATT was my main ISP. They gave me a number in a  town close by that wasn't on the official online list. Just make sure it is a free call before you start using it. Worth a shot.

So ATT isn't being very honest about this.  sad.gif
« Last Edit: July 27, 2007, 02:12:10 AM by krissel »


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Offline Gregg

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Authentication problem
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2007, 07:47:26 AM »
Yep. Similar things happen to us at home. (OS9.2) Different ISP, but they're the source of the problem. Stuff happens. It gets fixed. It's not your fault. smile.gif

Error messages are useless for the most part, unless you're a geek. Of course, there are published lists that attempt to "decode" them, if you really want to try.
Ya gotta applaud those bunnies for sacrificing their hearing just so some guy in Cupertino can have better TV reception.

Offline Francine Eisner

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Authentication problem
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2007, 08:25:23 AM »
QUOTE(Gregg @ Jul 27 2007, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yep. Similar things happen to us at home. (OS9.2) Different ISP, but they're the source of the problem. Stuff happens. It gets fixed. It's not your fault. smile.gif

Error messages are useless for the most part, unless you're a geek. Of course, there are published lists that attempt to "decode" them, if you really want to try.


I used to get authentication problems with some regularity when I had Earthlink Dialup and also Earthlink ADSL. It was always when I had an important paper due, of course! Tech support always said it was something in their system, and wound up having to reset something in their own software. This, after always putting me through turning off my modem and "giving me the business" first.

I finally got thoroughly disgusted with Earthlink, after I had switched to their bundled telephone and DSL service (seemed cheaper at the time). Nothing worked properly, particularly my telephone. All of the
tech support people were in the Phillippines or in India, and let me tell you that they did not do a good job at all.

OT a bit: It is beyond belief that so many companies are thinking it's cheaper for them to have personnel overseas, despite the fact that they are incompetent at dealing with American customers. For example, when my telephone wasn't working properly, they denied me a weekend repair appointment, saying, despite my protests, "your building manager will certainly let the repairmen in if they need to come during the week." In NYC, of course, most building management is not on the premises.

Earthlink lost me after I had been a customer for 8 years. Not very good business, in my book.

I "jumped ship" to everything Verizon, about 2 months ago. No problems so far with either telephone or DSL. The jury is still out: Let's see if they can deliver, over the course of time. At least they have a NYC Office...

Cheers,
Francine

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« Last Edit: July 27, 2007, 08:30:27 AM by Francine Eisner »

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Offline goodear

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Authentication problem
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2007, 10:14:28 AM »
What you're saying is that error messages have meanings, but only for those who "understand" them. I'm not trying to be difficult here, but it seems to me that would be true for something like "Error message 75632" (which only a geek with access to the list would understand) but not true for "check User ID and Password" (which any mortal should understand). Unless the latter "really" means: "User needs to take out his checkbook and purchase a new ISP provider and maybe also an updated computer."

 
QUOTE(Gregg @ Jul 27 2007, 07:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yep. Similar things happen to us at home. (OS9.2) Different ISP, but they're the source of the problem. Stuff happens. It gets fixed. It's not your fault. smile.gif

Error messages are useless for the most part, unless you're a geek. Of course, there are published lists that attempt to "decode" them, if you really want to try.



The reason for all this is that the mgrs. of ISPs are too young to think "win/win." Everything is for THEIR convenience. So until they get older and wiser we must rely on the exchange of ideas and solutions in places like this.  smile.gif

QUOTE(Francine Eisner @ Jul 27 2007, 08:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE(Gregg @ Jul 27 2007, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yep. Similar things happen to us at home. (OS9.2) Different ISP, but they're the source of the problem. Stuff happens. It gets fixed. It's not your fault. smile.gif

Error messages are useless for the most part, unless you're a geek. Of course, there are published lists that attempt to "decode" them, if you really want to try.


I used to get authentication problems with some regularity when I had Earthlink Dialup and also Earthlink ADSL. It was always when I had an important paper due, of course! Tech support always said it was something in their system, and wound up having to reset something in their own software. This, after always putting me through turning off my modem and "giving me the business" first.

I finally got thoroughly disgusted with Earthlink, after I had switched to their bundled telephone and DSL service (seemed cheaper at the time). Nothing worked properly, particularly my telephone. All of the
tech support people were in the Phillippines or in India, and let me tell you that they did not do a good job at all.

OT a bit: It is beyond belief that so many companies are thinking it's cheaper for them to have personnel overseas, despite the fact that they are incompetent at dealing with American customers. For example, when my telephone wasn't working properly, they denied me a weekend repair appointment, saying, despite my protests, "your building manager will certainly let the repairmen in if they need to come during the week." In NYC, of course, most building management is not on the premises.

Earthlink lost me after I had been a customer for 8 years. Not very good business, in my book.

I "jumped ship" to everything Verizon, about 2 months ago. No problems so far with either telephone or DSL. The jury is still out: Let's see if they can deliver, over the course of time. At least they have a NYC Office...

Cheers,
Francine

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(The Mac Gardener)

Offline Francine Eisner

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Authentication problem
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2007, 10:17:27 AM »
QUOTE(goodear @ Jul 27 2007, 11:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
"User needs to take out his checkbook and purchase a new ISP provider and maybe also an updated computer."


QUOTE(Gregg @ Jul 27 2007, 07:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yep. Similar things happen to us at home. (OS9.2) Different ISP, but they're the source of the problem. Stuff happens. It gets fixed. It's not your fault. smile.gif


In summary:
All of the above, more or less. Yes, it's the ISP's fault.

Sometimes you do need an update before going to a new ISP. When I was switching over to Verizon, they said they only supported OS X and so this was good reason for me to finally update my system.

Cheers,
Francine
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Offline Gregg

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Authentication problem
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2007, 12:18:49 PM »
QUOTE(goodear @ Jul 27 2007, 10:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What you're saying is that error messages have meanings, but only for those who "understand" them. I'm not trying to be difficult here, but it seems to me that would be true for something like "Error message 75632" (which only a geek with access to the list would understand) but not true for "check User ID and Password" (which any mortal should understand).


Yes, I agree with you.
Ya gotta applaud those bunnies for sacrificing their hearing just so some guy in Cupertino can have better TV reception.