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zxcv784
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 6
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Hi,
We're currently using dial-up AOL 9.0 at home but want to upgrade to broadband - probably tiscali at the moment.
Is everything provided in the package they send out? or will other components have to be bought? Can a person of reasonable computer knowledge set it up on their own?
I keep reading on forums about the need for filters on the phone line, will this all be taken care of in the equipment i'll be sent?
What do i need to buy so i can connect my laptop and use the broadband? Is this easy to do?
Thanks for answering these questions....
Edited by zxcv784 (Fri Jul 15 2005 02:35 PM)
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bravebryans
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 158
Loc: scotland
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Hi I made that decision this year too but did not fancy the software that AOL forces you to use and the way they use it on you‘re comp. due to funds being short I opted for the cheapest as advertised on TV Tiscali ( you only get what you pay for lol)
Yes every thing is provided in the package and it’s easy for anyone to install. The box was lying at the front door one sat morning and installed and up and running in around 15 mins.
I don’t particularly like the sagem 800 USB modem they give you. I spent a few weeks installing and uninstalling the drivers at times and if you don’t have service pack 2 on you will get bandwidth errors with modem so frustrating at times.
If you have 2 comps you can ditch the sagem modem and buy a Belkin wireless adls modem and you can store you’re settings in the ext modem and not have to install Tiscali software .if you leave the Belkin modem on all day and night, you can switch you’re comp on and off to suit you’re self and not worry about connecting as it does it for you
In the few months I have been using Tiscali (after I had cured a wall socket problem nothing to do with Tiscali) it seems fine and never goes down. Web browsing at night can be a little slower and downloads are fine I am on 512k getting 60k, if you like to play online games its crap ping at night are like 56k lol .their technical support is useless so never phone it lol.
So if it was not for the price at the time of joining and remember once you do you’re stuck for 12 months. I would have tried some one else .but on the whole its fine for me the now and I hope this helps you make a the right choice
One last thing I would say is find out what’s the max speed you can get on you’re exchange before u make a choice , I am stuck with 512k no matter who I join probably just need a upgrade at the exchange . as some ISP don’t and if you’re too far away you can have problems with the speed of the net and that does not matter who you’re with . I have seen some ppl down grading and its fine then.
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Braindead
regular
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 456
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I agree with most of what Bravebryans has said, except that I never had any problems with the sagem 800 modem.
A couple of points worth reinforcing, Tiscali Customer Service really IS appaling, and the peak time speeds can be VERY slow.
It's also worth noting that Tiscali currently DON'T support migration to another ISP if you don't like their service. I didn't and am now with Plusnet which I think is infinitely superior.
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bravebryans
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 158
Loc: scotland
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I am glad you did not have any problems with the modem. Most of the ppl on the forms had the same problem and I guess it was a very common one. I was planning to buy my own modem anyway. I never liked USB modems much. I hope Tiscali do end up supporting migration by the time my lease expires in 8 months, as I will definitely be moving and if I have to be with out the net for a month so be it lol .I would say it’s a step up from AOL but not much lol. Who wants to have the ISP take over you comp like its software does and you can’t get rid of it with out a format. I have seen how its work on friends comps and its stops some programs from working too. AOL don’t like Microsoft chat programs or some others , they take away you’re freedom of choice .you only hire their internet connection to the net and not to let then take over you’re comp.
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Braindead
regular
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 456
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Shortly after I gave my notice to Tiscali, (I thought being without BB for 3 weeks was preferable to remaining with Tiscali!!) they emailed me saying I was downloading too much (even though, at the time, it was an unlimited connection!) and that if I continued they would cancel my account. If you still have 8 months to go, try downloading as much as possible to see if they'll cancel your contract!
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bravebryans
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 158
Loc: scotland
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Sounds like a nice idea to try but as I never download much just the occasional utils drivers, watching online video clips and playing online games. I had just started Tiscali when they changed the unlimited to a download limit. Don’t Tiscali charge you for the extra you use online not to sure myself. Do you know of any web site that can help me find out how far I am away from my exchange, as at the present I can only get 512k no matter who I am with. I am 4 km driving to my local exchange, so I don’t see the point of moving till I can get at least a 1 meg line. so what’s plusnet like ?
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rollmesome
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 174
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just read the bit where you said aol forces you to use their software...well if you google around a bit...you dont have to use the software...go to network places create a new connection...connect to the internet...set up manually....connect using a broadband connection tht requires a username and password....or dial up.....then username is : aolscreenname@aol.com...password: password....click next and you are done....delete tht no good heavy aol software and connect using this....oh and if you are using broadband..i suggest get a router..dont have to dial anything or connect:D
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bravebryans
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 158
Loc: scotland
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You seem to get about a bit tonight on the forms rollmesome lol. I take you have just put you’re info in the router and that’s it, or use a dial out to do the same .so no need for the crap AOL software on you’re comp .well that nice to know you can do that thx for the info as most ppl just use the software that comes with it lol.
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rollmesome
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 174
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hehe yeah....its kind of frustrating people dont google stuff before actually posting..makes everyones life easier.....but yeah i do hate the huge aol software and well found out a way of not using it.
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