Please help a SBC DSL noob

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
SBC has lowered its cost of DSL to $14.95 and it was too good to pass up.

I know very little about this and the girl at the other end was no help.

My main questions are do I have to load that Yahoo software and will there be a problem using Mozilla with it?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

The equipment should be here in 4 days and I will be activated on June 9.

Thanks all.
 

keeleysam

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2005
8,131
0
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You do NOT have to isntall any of their crap, as long it isn't PPPoE (I doubt it).

 

Stonesoldier

Member
Feb 10, 2005
137
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0
even if it is PPPoE ,
get yourself a router and a firewall if you dont already have them

you should have no problems useing monzilla

and like keeleysam said
you dont need any of there software
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Thanks guys. As I said, I'm a DSL noob but a router and a firewall come with the equipment package. I've never even seen either.

If I don't need their software, what connects me to the Internet?

j
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
Sounds like you're all squared away, but you may want to check the links in my post at the bottom here.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: boomerang
Sounds like you're all squared away, but you may want to check the links in my post at the bottom here.

Thanks very much. Yes, I was up until the wee hours this morning following links given by Google.
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
My wife's using SBC DSL at her office. She forwarded an email to me a week or two ago from SBC that sounded like they were making part of the software mandatory.

Sounded like troubleshooting software to reduce CSR calls.

The email made it sound like if you didn't download it, they were going to push it upon you. Not sure how they'll do that with a router in the mix.

Just a heads up.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: boomerang
My wife's using SBC DSL at her office. She forwarded an email to me a week or two ago from SBC that sounded like they were making part of the software mandatory.

Sounded like troubleshooting software to reduce CSR calls.

The email made it sound like if you didn't download it, they were going to push it upon you. Not sure how they'll do that with a router in the mix.

Just a heads up.

Boy, I hope that's not true.

By the way, I got my automated phone message from SBC this morning thanking me for signing up and giving me the time line for equipment delivery and activation.
 

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
13,346
0
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Originally posted by: boomerang
My wife's using SBC DSL at her office. She forwarded an email to me a week or two ago from SBC that sounded like they were making part of the software mandatory.

There is an industry push to do this, whenever possible to the CSR's had a set of tools to help callers. Actually it's not a horrible idea, but they need a mechanism for advanced users (e.g. those posting here) to just say no. Verizon goes so far as you have to install their software to get to the email activation screens. So, if you don't install them, you get plain IP, but if you want a Verizon email you need to at least get thru the install.

Whenever I deal with this stuff, I just setup a Vmware image for the provider and install all that crap there.

Bill
 
Aug 22, 2004
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If they use PPPoE, then you need something to authenticate your user/pass. Most routers have this feature. Also, lots of ISP's are including DSL modems that are routers, so they can do this for you as well. If they provide you with a simple bridge (converts the ATM signal to ethernet) and they use PPPoE, then you will need either a router that handles the PPPoE authentication for you, or if you do not want to use a router then you will need some PPPoE software on your computer to do this for you. WinXP has this built into it. If you use any other version of windows, then you will need to obtain some PPPoE software (such as RASPPPoE).

If they do not use PPPoE, then the process is MUCH simpler. You plug in, get an IP address, and away you go.

If they do make you install other software for their email, like was mentioned above, then I'd recommend NOT using them for your email provider and go with someone like gmail or yahoo for your email needs. You'll probably be much happier with one of those 2 anyways, as most ISP's in my experience provide pretty terrible email service compared to what you could get from either gmail or yahoo.
 

Pretty Cool

Senior member
Jan 20, 2000
872
0
0
Problem is that in order to use a router, you need a user account. Usually, people install that software to establish a username and password. If you can connect to the internet by some other means, you could instead go to SBC's website and create the account.

Be aware that if you already have a Yahoo mail account, the setup procedure will ask you if you wish to merge this new email and your old Yahoo mail. Most people suggest that you do not because if you ever leave SBC DSL, this merged email account will cease to exist even though you might have created it long before subscribing to DSL.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
To the last two posters: I have to wait for my start up package to come before I can do any more. I do not have a Yahoo mail account but I suspect that they will send me a temporary user account and password so I can register. I may be wrong...we will see.

In any event, I have bookmarked this thread and will keep an eye on it.

I appreciate your comments.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Finally got activated today. Everyone has said, the CD is not required and SBC doesn't care. Although a week late I am happy with the results.

I got the adapter worker on computer#2 and ordered a second adapter from newegg for #3.

Thanks all.
 

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
Originally posted by: jadinolf
Finally got activated today. Everyone has said, the CD is not required and SBC doesn't care. Although a week late I am happy with the results.

I got the adapter worker on computer#2 and ordered a second adapter from newegg for #3.

Thanks all.
What "modem" did you get? I'm on SBC DSL and have the Speedstream 5100b, and was able to get set up with the CD-less tutorial on BBR. Just curious to see what you're using and which method you had to set it up with (PPPoE on the "modem," or on your computer, or other)... :)
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
I have the 2wire wireless gateway.

Set it up by typing homeportal in the address bar of MSIE, follow along, register with SBC and no network connection needs to be set up. Just bring up your browser (I use Mozilla) and away you go. I also bought the 2wire USB adapter and set up was a snap.

I will be microwaving my SBC CD tomorrow.

Please excuse my lack of expertise but DSL and wireless are all brand new to me. They finally were able to get me DSL today.
 

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
Originally posted by: jadinolf
I have the 2wire wireless gateway.

Set it up by typing homeportal in the address bar of MSIE, follow along, register with SBC and no network connection needs to be set up. Just bring up your browser (I use Mozilla) and away you go. I also bought the 2wire USB adapter and set up was a snap.

I will be microwaving my SBC Cd tomorrow.

Please excuse my lack od expertise but DSL and wireless are all brand new to me. They finally were able to get me DSL today.
That's fine, glad to hear it's working out for you. :thumbsup:

I haven't had any reliability problems to speak of since the install last August/Sept (can't remember exactly, time flies so fast - not to mention my internet connection, compared to dialup). :cool:
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: ProviaFan
Originally posted by: jadinolf
I have the 2wire wireless gateway.

Set it up by typing homeportal in the address bar of MSIE, follow along, register with SBC and no network connection needs to be set up. Just bring up your browser (I use Mozilla) and away you go. I also bought the 2wire USB adapter and set up was a snap.

I will be microwaving my SBC Cd tomorrow.

Please excuse my lack od expertise but DSL and wireless are all brand new to me. They finally were able to get me DSL today.
That's fine, glad to hear it's working out for you. :thumbsup:

I haven't had any reliability problems to speak of since the install last August/Sept (can't remember exactly, time flies so fast - not to mention my internet connection, compared to dialup). :cool:

I am so pleased. I wonder if I will still be pleased when this 15 dollar DSL goes to $50 after the year is up. That's what my contract says.
 

ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
Originally posted by: jadinolf
I am so pleased. I wonder if I will still be pleased when this 15 dollar DSL goes to $50 after the year is up. That's what my contract says.
Hopefully they'll have a new deal at that point, which you should be able to get if you want to commit to another year. I will be getting an up-to-10mbps connection this fall (going to college), so it will be up to my parents to decide if they'd like to renew for another year to get a good price, or go back to dialup. :)