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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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As I stated I did sign up w/AT&T. Received their kit yesterday and found that I needed a few more things: Wall mounted phone filter (phone on wall), in the kit I reced 3 phone filters plus the filter for the computer (double plug for phone located in same area). I ordered another phone filter kit ($15). I decided to make both desktops DSL with the original kit I have equipment to do so for one. I additionally ordered an adapter small usb plug in... to make the other older desktop DSL. For info to use the cord process would not work for the second desktop the footage is too far. I would need at least 50 ft plus having to go thru the first level ceilings or have the cord run across the house (ugh)!
I have spoke w/AT&T tech a couple of times for this and that info and they seem extremely nice. So far so good. I am not going to hook up until I rec all equipment within a week or so. I'll keep you posted for I'm sure there are individuals like me struggling w/this!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 5/24/2008
Posts: 70
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JEWELME wrote:Personally, I would have a professional do the wireless hook up. I know many people do it themselves, but many don't pay attention to having a secure network. I am not savvy enough to set up a secure network by myself. You would not want to have an unsecured wireless network, or anyone nearby can use your network, and who knows what they may be downloading, using your network connection. JMO. I have to ditto this comment. I made the mistake of setting up wireless myself and I didn't set it up securely enough. I got hacked, not once, but twice before I realized that was what happened (they were able to access my desktop and then caused my desktop to crash). The second time I actually got a pop up warning that someone else was on my network. I shut it down and that was it - crashed again. After paying to fix the desktop twice, I finally wised up and had my cable co/internet provider come to the house and hook it up for me. Both desk and laptop are now running smoothly and I feel much safer having had the experts doing the set up. K :)
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Karsa/Jewelme - thanks so much for the advice. I did call AT&T and they secure the DSL/Wireless with SSID and WEP KEY. Basically one is part of a serial number and another number on the kit equipment sent to me. I asked them if I had a professional out to secure what more could they do, and they told me that they too would secure w/the same numbers????
I'm going to go to Radio Shack and ask them for they work on setups and see what more can be done to secure the computers. I know on the dial ups we have a password (numbers) that I put in and automatically now connects. I'm still open to have a "professional" come in.....but where I live, I had one out that I would hesitate giving any info too. He was in for about 5 minutes and said he could not do. (he was from a large "cable" company)....they contract their jobs out. Do you know how they secured yours? In researching I can't find any other way than putting in sometype of passwords/numbers?
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 303
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If the equipment comes from AT&T, there is no way to set it up UNSECURE. The 2wire is secured with a long string of numbers.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Potatomom - thanks..really! Yes I'm now w/AT&T and have spoke w/them a few times. Glad to hear that the computers will be secure per your message (and their's)! I have read their instructions and feel I can setup. They told me to wait until I get the wall mount and adapter for my son's desktop. At the beginning I thought he would want to get rid of the his old desktop (WXP) but decided to keep along w/the laptop (2) we will get from HSN. This way if it takes awhile for him to get the hang of word 7 he'll have the desktop to fall back on. The AT&T adapater will go on his desktop the rest of the equipment will go on my desktop. According to AT&T the laptops will then become wireless. If it doesn't work out I will call them and have someone out.
For the rest that is "viewing" the Ethernet Cable (yellow cord) is plugged into the computer in a port that looks like a phone plug in but larger. My plug is almost midway in the tower (Gateway). (simple stuff, but again in a "learning" process). Once again Potatomom..... thanks!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 9/6/2009
Posts: 8
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I have Comcast and am wondering if they have a two port modem also so that I don't need a router? I've been trying to contact them to find out. Ihave a desktop that is not wireless and I purchased the laptop that will be delivered (hopefully) tomorrow.
Anyone know if I still need a router?
thanks
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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I went w/AT&T and have a combination modem and router on one piece of equipment. Long story short I have had many, many problems w/dsl. I am waiting too for the Gateway laptops from HSN to see if they will work w/my AT&T DSL equipment. Right now I have doubts! My situaton is I still have dial up w/Earthlink on our son's old desktop Windows XP and I have DSL w/AT&T modem/router. Mine is giving me the problem (Gateway 14 months old desktop)...keeping my fingers crossed on the new laptops. Call Comcast and see what they say.....if you have a 2 wire hook up possibly it will work. I believe Comcast gives you free equpment.....there are deals out there. My phone line goes completely blank. Had outside lines checked no problem. Having AT&IT specialist out next week hopefully the laptops will arrive before he does and once and for get these computers corrected. Wish you better luck than I have had!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 6/18/2008
Posts: 238
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Peacebwu, I've been reading your entire saga with interest. I hope you have all your computers in hand when the professional arrives, and they can fix you up. I know this is not yet available everywhere, but I have bundled my phone, TV, and internet with AT&T U-Verse (I was with Time Warner cable before, and had no previous internet). Where I live, we don't have DSL, so that was out. With the U-Verse I am totally wireless, and everything comes through my phone line, including TV. I can't tell you how much I love it! The best part is that the complete installation is included when you sign up, and there is no contract. The guy just comes to your house (by appt.) with all the goodies you need and sets up all your TV's and computers. It took him about 4 hours to do 3 TV's and one laptop, but at least I knew it wasn't ME doing it. I've since added a wireless printer, and was able to install that by myself (the modem/router they give you has the security key number right on it). With this internet service, I have my choice of about 6 different internet speeds, with varying rates, and I can easily switch higher or lower if I want to. Their CS is always available and top notch!
Laura
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Hopefully this is the end of my setup forum. This is where we now stand:
I have AT&T DSL (wireless) on two desktops. During this "ordeal" we found that our son (mentally challenged) did not update his upgrades for at least a few years (he had upgrades turned off) on his Words XP desktop. While still on dial up I tried upgrading to no avail...too much at one time.....dial up would shut down. After many hours of trying this and that we bought him a new desktop w/Windows 7. Then we found out that his printer (which he was used to) would not accept W7......we bought a new printer....this one too did not accept 7 (good model), and had to work w/ phone tech to get installed.
I had AT&T installer out....I had AT&T check my outside lines.....and bought additional phone filters for this and that.
I have found that AT&T is good.......but their on line techs mostly are so, so....if you want advanced help you must pay an additional fee (quite a bit).....
Decided to stay w/Earthlink dial up as a backup. I have uninstalled their dial up pages from my desktop (my son does not have on the new computer) yet both of us could put a phone line in our tower to our individual phone jacks and get dial up if need be with them. This gives us a backup plus on line chat and a priority phone line. The price has been reduced almost in half (monthly).....I feel their techs are much more advanced and do like their on line chat. Our e.mail w/earhtlink still stays if we want (I have it sent to my new AT&T mail).
Also we went further w/this and bought a 50 foot Ethenet cord just to have on hand in case something happens to our son's DSL. This way we can run the cord from my modem/router (one piece) to his tower (click in like a phone line but Ethenet plug).
All and all this gives us quite a good "whatever happens" we can hopefully solve.
As far as the laptops. We had a problem w/the mouse on one. Called HSN and they were extremely nice about sending it back.....I bought two....one for my son and myself in order to teach him I wanted the same thing, yet not interferring w/his. Still have time to see whether we keep or not. If not, I will return and possibly get a smaller netbook. The lapstops for us are almost too large to carry or hold on one's lap. For our situation I believe the smaller netbooks would do the trick (I will buy from HSN)...
I hope all this helps someone......thanks for your efforts in getting us thru this!
We too wish you well! Again, my thanks!
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