🚀 go-pugleaf

   The CD Charter Pipeline uses configures network settings such as DHCP and
DNS, as well as e-mail servers and newsgroup server settings. It does install a
branded version of Internet Explorer, but those who know their system can remove
the logo of it bothers them that much. The Charter CD also checks some registry
values, such as the DefaultRcvWindow, to make sure they are still at default.
Many dial-up internet optimizer programs scale those settings back to improve
performance over a slow network, putting a poor cap on your speed. That is just
one advantage to using the supplied software when setting up a cable modem
connection. If a person is comfortable with doing those things manually there is
no need to use the CD, but not everyone is.

   I see on the Cox  home page that their CD is advertised to do the same thing.
Are you saying that is not correct, or have you actually used the CD yourself?
Obviously, there would be little sense to sending out the CD if it didn't do
anything at all; which is what you seem to be implying. It doesn't configure
Netscape settings, but it does get IE and Outlook Express up and running.

   Installation of the NIC card and connection to the modem is actually a
painless process and there is no reason a cable installer with basic computer
knowledge shouldn't be able to complete the entire job, without an additional
trip being necessary. That is not 'cross-training';  just training an installer
to do the entire job. From my experience, the only time there is a problem is if
the computer already has a problem or doesn't have the resources needed to work
with the ethernet card (ie... lack of IRQ's, due to peripherals, or hard drive
space).  It is the customers' responsibility to make sure they have a properly
functioning machine for the NIC to be installed in. Registry and hardware
problems are not the responsibility of the installer to correct. SOP is for the
installer to have the customer shut down and reboot the PC before any work is
done; if it has any errors on start-up, the installer should politely inform the
customer they need to have the problem corrected and call back to reschedule the
installation. Many times I've seen an install attempted where a person said "Oh
it's always done that, I just click through it", only to hear claims later that
the installer messed up the PC because the sound card or printer didn't work
after the card was installed. Often it turns out there were not enough IRQ's
available, the PC had dead slots on the board, or the registry was corrupted.
That's why it's better to prevent bad feelings ahead of time and politely inform
the customer that we can't proceed with the installation until the computer
issue has been resolved.

   Basically, the installer isn't there to fix the computer; just to add a NIC
to a properly functioning PC. Anything beyond that is not his job. If the
machine won't accept a NIC it has a problem, and the customer needs to have that
problem corrected themselves. What you are saying, is that you want the cable
company to send out a computer technician who is able to correct problems with
your PC that existed before they attempted to install the cable modem service.
The installation of a NIC in a 'properly functioning' PC is almost automatic and
just about anybody could do it if they aren't afraid to open their computer up.

PC Medic wrote:

> "atakicker" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:gXib8.10520$SJ3.387856@news1.east.cox.net...
> >
> > "PC Medic" wrote in message
> > > The person dropping the cable should not be the same person installing
> the
> > > cable modem.
> > > If you do not have a drop already in the room where the PC will be, it
> > > should have been scheduled separate from the PC and modem configuration.
> >
> >     Not in my world. I had cable TV and internet installed on the same
> day.
> > One guy came out and ran the drop from the pole to the house and hooked up
> > the TV. Later that day another one came out and ran from the box under the
> > eave of the house (which was installed by the first guy) to the computer,
> > which is in a different room. The only thing he didn't do was drill
> through
> > the cinder block wall. I did it for him because I have a 100 pound mean
> a__
> > dog in the yard. (But I did use his tools). And he did have a problem, he
> > screwed up my irq settings and couldn't get my sound card to work. After
> 45
> > minutes of watching him scratch his head and three calls to someone (?), I
> > ran him off and reset everything myself.
>
> Sounds like they are having trouble getting broadband installers in your
> area and may be cross-training cable techs. This is not the desired (or SOP)
> method but unfortunately done in some areas. I must say that you were brave
> in the fact that you even let him touch your PC! I would not do this and
> would have stopped them at the modem. Anything beyond there becomes, "excuse
> me while I make the required settings".
>
> By the way, Why didn't he just use the magic CD?   :)
> These types of  problems are exactly why I was telling the "Cox Contractor"
> that YES, they do need networking knowledge, because contrary to his claims,
> the CD is not a fix all and only configures you IE and Outlook Express not
> your network or hardware settings.
>
> >
> >