Hello! I'm fed up of typing long winded messages to AOL Customer Services and Forums, so here's the shorthand version -



WEDNESDAY - Posty Delivers AOL Broadband in a box...Very HappyCommence set-up of Broadband - A - OK.Use Broadband for Good few hours - MP3s, emails, AOL Live, AOL Sessions, the lot!Shut-down and eventually go to bed.



THURSDAY - Usual browsing on-line, but hey!..what's this?!!! "Connection Failure"Look down and DSL Modem has totally shut-down...lights out!...literally!Hmmm...re-start. Seems to have worked. Sign back on to AOL...Doh!...Lights out!Call Customer Services..."...Yes I already did all of that! I've uninstalled and re-installed 4 times now!...yeah OK, but if that doesn't work, I call you back".



FRIDAY - Wipe everything to do with AOL. Run Virus Checks, USB Hub Checks,Dirt under my fingernails-while waiting for System Analysis Checks. Try again...wow! It works...nope! Blue Screen - STOP ERROR 0x0000...Blah Blah Blah!KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED...cheers...PC shutsdown...Deep frown-lines appear!

Re-boot...shutsdown after 2 minutes. Re-boot...shutsdown after 2 minutes. Re-boot...shutsdown after 2 minutes...you see where I'm going?

...can't even get time enough to un-install!!!!



Have to Wipe Harddrive...install XP. Install it all again. AOL works!..Yak to my mate via

MSN Messenger. LOG OFF AOL...Huh?! Blue Screen!!! *?!!"$%!!!! Stop Error - Shutsdown.



Now...



AOL CSs are rubbish..we all know the guy at the end of the line is studying Sports Science and only does that Call-Centre job part-time, so who the "*%?!! knows how to resolve this problem?!



NTL Broadband has been recommended, but I'm pretty certain it's a software/driver error related to the USB Modem's compatibilty, or AOL and the way it takes over ya PC on LOG-ON.Somebody, anybody...help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!



Yes, Virus Checked; Yes, Firewall Installed; Yes PC is fine...
1.6GHz, AMD XP2000+ / 512 Ram

As a general rule I would stay away from thoses USB modems. Buy a cheap router for about 20 odd pound, assuming you have a network port on the back of your pc. Oh and I would switch from Assholes OnLine, to another provider, I know they have improved in the last few years, but for the last 10 years I have never thought highly of them.

LOL!!! Assholes OnLine is quite accurate!

How do I use a router to connect to the internet...
If I'm right, the router connects to my LAN port and the modem connects to the
router...right?!

Or is it a straight forward connection from the router to the phone-line/socket?
Wouldn't I still need a ISprovider's software to connect?


Had a nigtmare getting my friend's one to work - wireless network ting!...
too much new-fangled ways of givin man headache.

If you get a router with a built in ADSL modem, it connects straight to your phone line. These are probably the most common anyway. If you are worried about complexity, the "netgear 834" is very simple to setup. We use them at work to give out to remote users and mostly they have no problems getting them working.

You don't need extra software to connect, just type your username and password into the router. However I remember a while back that routers didn't work with AOL, I have a sneaky suspiscion that this may no longer be the case, but I'm not a 100% sure. If you want a good ISP, try Pipex or the one I use Eclipse (highly recommend). They don't come with all the bells and whistles like AOL does, but they are good, fast and reliable.

Pipex was on my list. Their pricing was the closest to AOL in terms of Unlimited Broadband.

I'm open to new providers, as I'm still in my free trial period!
I don't care about fancy menus and pretty browsers...I just want fast, reliable
connections that don't give Blue Screens, or un-suspected Re-Starts!!!!

I don't wanna spend cash on a router that won't work with AOL though,
so I'll do more research...

Man..I really appreciate the feedback. Seems that AOL and it's dodgy BT hardware and drivers
are notorious www.btsucks.com

I discovered thatthe modem drivers are for an older version of the DSL Modem
they're shipping outto people. What's worseis that there doesn't seem to
be anywhere to download new drivers!...Hence the conflicts with Windows 2000/XP.

You have to shutdown the modem when ya not using it, to stop ya PC from crashing...
That works 99% of the time...makes the term "Always-On Internet" redundant.

I'll look into what you suggested.

Cheers, Nick!

i am thinking of getting NTL 300K adsl. they have an offer which means it cost 15.99 per month which is teh same price BT and AOL charge for their standard dial up. when i am feeling a bit more flush i will get the 750 or 1mb

sounds good huh?

DS:-

Well if cost is an option, then check this router out:-

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=48449

There is a single port version which is about £5 less, but hey you never know when you might need that extar port.

LadyDay:-
Yeah that sounds like a great idea. If you don't need super fast access at that price, you can't go wrong. I think NTL is a cable based service rather than ADSL, but I could be wrong.

NicK: question to our resident Brianiac...what wireless router and connectors would you suggest for connecting two desk tops and a Laptop.. (btw the Laptop will be an apple mac.)

@Nick

Cool...

AOL should be paying for that sh**!!!...
ADSL Router replaces the shite BT Voyager modem, yeah?
And uses it's own power source and not the PC/USB?

For the router, I assume you mean one with a ADSL modem built in, either of these 2:-

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=52244
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=52244

As for the laptop.....well take your pick, they all seem to be about the same:-

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...subcat_uid=480

Note: I am not to clued up on Mac's, most hardware seems to be quite interchangeable, but I don't want to say 100% it will work.

And for desktops, unless you want to open up the pc and install a card, you can just buy a USB adapter:-

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...ubcat_uid=1020

Again take your pick

Nick: I'm such a idiot...I meant to say that I have a cable modem, will your suggestion work with that?...Plus I want to have wirelessconnection withan Apple mac lap topon the same network, is that possible in theory: two Mac desktops and an Apple Mac Lap top using the same router?

Sorry for my miscommunication first time round..any thoughts you can offer would be welcomed..

No, I'm afraid it won't. The ADSL router will only work with ADSL connections.

However generic Broadband routers are cheaper than ones with a built in ADSL modem. The only requirement is that your cable modem has a network port on it, this is very important.

DS:
Yep, the router plugs straight into the phone line and then your computer(s) plug into the back of the router.

And yes again, it is powered from its own little power supply.