🚀 go-pugleaf

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   In 3 years, I have worked with approximately 1000 individual internet
subscribers and most types of factory built computers. I will stand
behind everything I stated previously in its entirety. Countless times
I've been to the homes of those who had messed up their own computers on
the advice of others. Very seldom have I seen a problem where a tech
went to a home with a properly functioning computer and "messed it up".
More often, software had been installed before the cable modem
installation that caused problems with the install, or there was a known
or obvious OS problem the tech overlooked or wasn't aware of when he got
there.
   I have not seen a single computer come out of the box with no
available IRQ's in a long time. Sometimes there aren't many, but I've
never seen one with none. I have to say some of the newer USB only
computers could be considered an exception, but they aren't being opened
up anyway; we're only dealing with a USB driver at that point. I
personally don't like networking with USB, but you work with what you
have...



PC Medic wrote:

>
> >"Excerpt from Cox's page.
>
> >20Q. What does the software on the Cox CD-ROM do to my computer?
> >20A. The Cox software configures the Internet Explorer browser and
> your computer�s network settings to >connect to the Cox High Speed
> Internet service. The software then adds your cox.net email address in
> >Outlook Express and adds Cox newsgroup access. Your current @Home
> news and email settings are still >active. Not entirely true as about
> all it does for network settings is verigy DHCP. While it was good in
> theory has proven less than effective in many cases in the field. Want
> to screw up a customers LAN, pop in that CD and bump them from static
> to dynamic IP's.Even tech support will often recommend against using
> the CD now. >The CD is sent out because man people aren't familiar
> with their network settings, obviously.
> >On the issue of cross-training. Most cable companies are now training
> their technicians on the principles >of broadband technology as well
> as basic troubleshooting steps to take when something occurs. Most
> >computers won't have a problem with lack of IRQ's; when it does
> happen, most of the techs I know can >resolve it, unless there just
> isn't one they can use. If they can't they call for help from somebody
> who can. >The rarity of that happening doesn't justify a separate
> technician just to install a NIC; I don't mind assisting >with a few
> service calls when something like that pops up. And you again are
> proving the exact point I was making to the original poster. The tech
> in the field should befamiliar with basic TCP/IP settings and NIC
> installation. If he is not and a problem arises, he is not going to
> know what to do. And if "most" cable companies are traing their
> technicians on the principles of bradband technologie and basic
> troubleshooting, then guess what, that means they are "cross-training"
> thank you very much.
> >I am aware that "sometimes" the NIC will try to share an IRQ. That is
> not a common issue. I've seen a >situation like that 5 or 6 times in 3
> years. 5 or 6 times in 3 years?? Don't get out much do you  :) >Most
> instances I have seen will not enable the card. Once again, if a tech
> has an unusual circumstance, >there is usually another tech with a
> little more knowledge he can call upon to help resolve the issue. Why
> would Charter send an installer out that could not correct such an
> issue on their own?
> > The HP, Compaq, E-machines, etc... were made to cater to those who
> don't want to tear into a PC. Most >new ones now come with NIC cards
> already installed. If the machine is working properly, yet doesn't
> have >an available IRQ, it has probably been modified by the
> owner. Actually, I see a good majority of these come out of the box
> with no available IRQ's and and while some of the business and SOHO
> end systems may have NIC installed, rarely see this with home PC
> packages. >As I think I stated before, the only real instance I've
> seen where there wasn't any IRQ available was with >the case of an
> onboard video card which needed a loop through graphics acelerator. I
> believe it had a PCI >card for USB ports as well. That is not a common
> problem, especially in newer computers. Most computers ship with all
> I/O enabled (Com and LPT), as well as USB, sound, video, etc so again,
> more cases than not IRQ is not available or not in proper range. While
> usually an easy fix, does no good if the tech has no clue as to how to
> do it.
> >The most common issues with installing NICs stem from computers that
> had problems before the installer >ever arrived. Many of those
> problems make themselves obvious when booting the systemm so
> installers >are supposed to have the customer shut down and do a
> reboot before they begin.. It would be a good idea >to look at the
> device manager as well to check for flags before opening the machine,
> but an installer can >do that as well. That is not true. The most
> common problem installing a NIC "is" available IRQ. While booting is
> good to check for existing error messages or issues, hardly
> bullet-proof. As for "flags" in the Device manager, again not always
> an indicator all is well. I have many a time had to correct issues
> with systems that techs with this exact false presumption screwed
> up. >If you don't want an outside tech in your system, that is great.
> Nobody is going to tell you not install your >own card. It is only
> done as a courtesy to the customer to diminish the cost of getting the
> service. Actually the switch to USB modems is doing that. No NIC, you
> go USB.  >Ethernet cards usually go in very easily so the cable
> companies decided to go ahead and have the >installer put them in. If
> they were all going to hire a special tech to do nothing but install
> NICs all day, they >would have to increase the installation cost to
> the consumer. Some companies do it that way, but you will >find the
> computer guy often does double duty himself when not installing
> NICs. Perhaps at Charter, but not all companies.Again though, USB
> Modems are becoming an answer for this also.
> PC Medic wrote:
> "Brian" <bswindle@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:3C6E9AC8.41A0EAB4@charter.net...
> >    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.
> Please provide the URL where it states the CD configures all your
> network
> settings.
> The CD installs and configures a Cox branded version of IE/OE along
> with
> other various troubleshooting utilities. They send it out because
> contrary
> to your beliefs, the majority of internet users coming on line to day
> are
> clueless when it comes to completing what others may consider a simple
> task.
> This is a result of the PC being pushed in every store from Wal-Mart
> to Best
> buy as a home appliance.
> Everybody's gotta have one, but once they get them, they don't know
> what
> they are going to do with it.
> >
> >    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.
> It's "cross-training" if you are using a cable TV installer to install
>
> broadband.
> I have seen cable techs that could not tell you the difference between
> a ISA
> and a PCI slot. And why should they, it was never their job and they
> may not
> have any personal interest in PC's outside of work either. If the NIC
> is not
> already installed, is the "Cable Guy" going to know enough to verify
> the
> customer has an available IRQ "BEFORE" he starts reconfiguring their
> system.
> Is the cable guy going to be familiar enough with PC's to know that
> simply
> shutting down the PC is not sufficient when installing an expansion
> card?,
> or is he going to plug the card in while there is still voltage on the
> slots
> as is the case in ATX boards.
> So yes, cross training is needed.
> 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.
> A machine that has no open IRQ for an additional card to be installed
> is
> indeed functioning properly.
> But again, the average Joe doesn't have a clue as to what an IRQ is,
> let
> alone if they have one available.
> At this point it becomes the installers job to determine this BEFORE
> he
> fudges the system by creating resource conclicts.
>  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.
> Of course if the system has errors on boot then you would possibly not
>
> proceed (depending on the type of error), but, rebooting a PC is NOT
> going
> to tell the installer that there is an available IRQ. And if he is not
>
> trained to verify there is one, the customer probably will be calling
> after
> he leaves to complain about lost sound, or other issues.
> >
> >    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.
> You obviously aren't aware that the system will almost always accept
> the NIC
> even if it attempts to share the IRQ with another device. What two
> devices
> should never share resources with another device, yet Windows will
> report
> they are functioning properly?
> > 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.
> No, actually I said I do not let outside techs in my system at all. I
> am
> saying that the technicians being sent out should know how to resolve
> things
> like a simple IRQ conflict in the PC should one occur after the
> install of
> the NIC. Even in a system with an available IRQ (and in the proper
> range for
> a NIC) can have a conflict occur after the card is installed. Or do
> you feel
> that the tech should say "Hey, broadband is working great!, sorry we
> screwed
> up your printing services though".
> > 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.
> "almost", and "just about", only count in Horse Shoes and Hand
> Gernades!
> And you continue to verify what I am saying. It is not a perfect world
> when
> it comes to PC's. That is why plug-n-play is often called plug-n-pray,
> AND
> why the tech does need to be cross-trained with basic PC knowledge.
> >
> > 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.
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >

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&nbsp;&nbsp; In 3 years, I have worked with approximately 1000 individual
internet subscribers and most types of factory built computers. I will
stand behind everything I stated previously in its entirety. Countless
times I've been to the homes of those who had messed up their own computers
on the advice of others. Very seldom have I seen a problem where a tech
went to a home with a properly functioning computer and "messed it up".
More often, software had been installed before the cable modem installation
that caused problems with the install, or there was a known or obvious
OS problem the tech overlooked or wasn't aware of when he got there.
<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; I have not seen a single computer come out of the box
with no available IRQ's in a long time. Sometimes there aren't many, but
I've never seen one with none. I have to say some of the newer USB only
computers could be considered an exception, but they aren't being opened
up anyway; we're only dealing with a USB driver at that point. I personally
don't like networking with USB, but you work with what you have...
<br>&nbsp;
<br>&nbsp;
<p>PC Medic wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><style></style>
&nbsp;
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>"Excerpt from Cox's page.</font></font>
<p><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>20Q. What does the software on the
Cox CD-ROM do to my computer?</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>20A. The Cox software configures
the Internet Explorer browser and your computer�s network settings to >connect
to the Cox High Speed Internet service. The software then adds your cox.net
email address in >Outlook Express and adds Cox newsgroup access. Your current
@Home news and email settings are still >active.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Not
entirely true as about all it does for network settings is verigy DHCP.
While it was good in theory has proven less than effective in many cases
in the field. Want to screw up a customers LAN, pop in that CD and bump
them from static to dynamic IP's.</font></font><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Even
tech support will often recommend against using the CD now.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>The
CD is sent out because man people aren't familiar with their network settings,
obviously.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>On the issue of cross-training. Most
cable companies are now training their technicians on the principles >of
broadband technology as well as basic troubleshooting steps to take when
something occurs. Most >computers won't have a problem with lack of IRQ's;
when it does happen, most of the techs I know can >resolve it, unless there
just isn't one they can use. If they can't they call for help from somebody
who can. >The rarity of that happening doesn't justify a separate technician
just to install a NIC; I don't mind assisting >with a few service calls
when something like that pops up.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>And
you again are proving the exact point I was making to the original poster.
The tech in the field should be</font></font><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>familiar
with basic TCP/IP settings and NIC installation. If he is not and a problem
arises, he is not going to know what to do. And if "most" cable companies
are traing their technicians on the principles of bradband technologie
and basic troubleshooting, then guess what, that means they are "cross-training"
thank you very much.</font></font>&nbsp;
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>I am aware that "sometimes" the NIC
will try to share an IRQ. That is not a common issue. I've seen a >situation
like that 5 or 6 times in 3 years.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>5
or 6 times in 3 years?? Don't get out much do you&nbsp; :)</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>Most
instances I have seen will not enable the card. Once again, if a tech has
an unusual circumstance, >there is usually another tech with a little more
knowledge he can call upon to help resolve the issue.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Why
would Charter send an installer out that could not correct such an issue
on their own?</font></font>&nbsp;
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> The HP, Compaq, E-machines, etc...
were made to cater to those who don't want to tear into a PC. Most >new
ones now come with NIC cards already installed. If the machine is working
properly, yet doesn't have >an available IRQ, it has probably been modified
by the owner.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Actually,
I see a good majority of these come out of the box with no available IRQ's
and and while some of the business and SOHO end systems may have NIC installed,
rarely see this with home PC packages.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>As
I think I stated before, the only real instance I've seen where there wasn't
any IRQ available was with >the case of an onboard video card which needed
a loop through graphics acelerator. I believe it had a PCI >card for USB
ports as well. That is not a common problem, especially in newer computers.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Most
computers ship with all I/O enabled (Com and LPT), as well as USB, sound,
video, etc so again, more cases than not IRQ is not available or not in
proper range. While usually an easy fix, does no good if the tech has no
clue as to how to do it.</font></font>&nbsp;
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>The most common issues with installing
NICs stem from computers that had problems before the installer >ever arrived.
Many of those problems make themselves obvious when booting the systemm
so installers >are supposed to have the customer shut down and do a reboot
before they begin.. It would be a good idea >to look at the device manager
as well to check for flags before opening the machine, but an installer
can >do that as well.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>That
is not true. The most common problem installing a NIC "is" available IRQ.
While booting is good to check for existing error messages or issues, hardly
bullet-proof. As for "flags" in the Device manager, again not always an
indicator all is well. I have many a time had to correct issues with systems
that techs with this exact false presumption screwed up.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>If
you don't want an outside tech in your system, that is great. Nobody is
going to tell you not install your >own card. It is only done as a courtesy
to the customer to diminish the cost of getting the service.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Actually
the switch to USB modems is doing that. No NIC, you go USB.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>&nbsp;>Ethernet
cards usually go in very easily so the cable companies decided to go ahead
and have the >installer put them in. If they were all going to hire a special
tech to do nothing but install NICs all day, they >would have to increase
the installation cost to the consumer. Some companies do it that way, but
you will >find the computer guy often does double duty himself when not
installing NICs.</font></font>&nbsp;<font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Perhaps
at Charter, but not all companies.</font></font><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Again
though, USB Modems are becoming an answer for this also.</font></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>PC Medic wrote:</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>"Brian" &lt;bswindle@charter.net>
wrote in message</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1><A HREF="news:3C6E9AC8.41A0EAB4@charter.net">news:3C6E9AC8.41A0EAB4@charter.net</A>...</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The CD Charter
Pipeline uses configures network settings such as DHCP</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>and</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> DNS, as well as e-mail servers and
newsgroup server settings. It does</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>install a</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> branded version of Internet Explorer,
but those who know their system can</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>remove</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> the logo of it bothers them that
much. The Charter CD also checks some</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>registry</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> values, such as the DefaultRcvWindow,
to make sure they are still at</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>default.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> Many dial-up internet optimizer
programs scale those settings back to</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>improve</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> performance over a slow network,
putting a poor cap on your speed. That is</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>just</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> one advantage to using the supplied
software when setting up a cable modem</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> connection. If a person is comfortable
with doing those things manually</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>there is</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> no need to use the CD, but not everyone
is.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I see on the Cox&nbsp;
home page that their CD is advertised to do the same</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>thing.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> Are you saying that is not correct,
or have you actually used the CD</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>yourself?</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> Obviously, there would be little
sense to sending out the CD if it didn't</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>do</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> anything at all; which is what you
seem to be implying. It doesn't</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>configure</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> Netscape settings, but it does get
IE and Outlook Express up and running.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Please provide the URL where it states
the CD configures all your network</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>settings.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>The CD installs and configures a Cox
branded version of IE/OE along with</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>other various troubleshooting utilities.
They send it out because contrary</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>to your beliefs, the majority of internet
users coming on line to day are</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>clueless when it comes to completing
what others may consider a simple task.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>This is a result of the PC being pushed
in every store from Wal-Mart to Best</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>buy as a home appliance.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Everybody's gotta have one, but once
they get them, they don't know what</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>they are going to do with it.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Installation of
the NIC card and connection to the modem is actually a</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> painless process and there is no
reason a cable installer with basic</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>computer</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> knowledge shouldn't be able to complete
the entire job, without an</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>additional</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> trip being necessary. That is not
'cross-training';&nbsp; just training an</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>installer</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> to do the entire job.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>It's "cross-training" if you are using
a cable TV installer to install</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>broadband.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>I have seen cable techs that could
not tell you the difference between a ISA</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>and a PCI slot. And why should they,
it was never their job and they may not</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>have any personal interest in PC's
outside of work either. If the NIC is not</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>already installed, is the "Cable Guy"
going to know enough to verify the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>customer has an available IRQ "BEFORE"
he starts reconfiguring their system.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Is the cable guy going to be familiar
enough with PC's to know that simply</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>shutting down the PC is not sufficient
when installing an expansion card?,</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>or is he going to plug the card in
while there is still voltage on the slots</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>as is the case in ATX boards.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>So yes, cross training is needed.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>From my experience, the only time
there is a problem is if</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> the computer already has a problem
or doesn't have the resources needed to</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>work</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> with the ethernet card (ie... lack
of IRQ's, due to peripherals, or hard</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>drive</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> space).&nbsp; It is the customers'
responsibility to make sure they have a</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>properly</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> functioning machine for the NIC
to be installed in.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>A machine that has no open IRQ for
an additional card to be installed is</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>indeed functioning properly.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>But again, the average Joe doesn't
have a clue as to what an IRQ is, let</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>alone if they have one available.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>At this point it becomes the installers
job to determine this BEFORE he</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>fudges the system by creating resource
conclicts.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>&nbsp;Registry and hardware</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> problems are not the responsibility
of the installer to correct. SOP is</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>for the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> installer to have the customer shut
down and reboot the PC before any work</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>is</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> done; if it has any errors on start-up,
the installer should politely</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>inform the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> customer they need to have the problem
corrected and call back to</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>reschedule the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> installation. Many times I've seen
an install attempted where a person</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>said "Oh</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> it's always done that, I just click
through it", only to hear claims later</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>that</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> the installer messed up the PC because
the sound card or printer didn't</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>work</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> after the card was installed. Often
it turns out there were not enough</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>IRQ's</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> available, the PC had dead slots
on the board, or the registry was</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>corrupted.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> That's why it's better to prevent
bad feelings ahead of time and politely</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>inform</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> the customer that we can't proceed
with the installation until the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>computer</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> issue has been resolved.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Of course if the system has errors
on boot then you would possibly not</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>proceed (depending on the type of
error), but, rebooting a PC is NOT going</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>to tell the installer that there is
an available IRQ. And if he is not</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>trained to verify there is one, the
customer probably will be calling after</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>he leaves to complain about lost sound,
or other issues.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Basically, the
installer isn't there to fix the computer; just to add a</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>NIC</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> to a properly functioning PC. Anything
beyond that is not his job. If the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> machine won't accept a NIC it has
a problem, and the customer needs to</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>have that</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> problem corrected themselves.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>You obviously aren't aware that the
system will almost always accept the NIC</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>even if it attempts to share the IRQ
with another device. What two devices</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>should never share resources with
another device, yet Windows will report</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>they are functioning properly?</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> What you are saying, is that you
want the cable</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> company to send out a computer technician
who is able to correct problems</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>with</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> your PC that existed before they
attempted to install the cable modem</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>service.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>No, actually I said I do not let outside
techs in my system at all. I am</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>saying that the technicians being
sent out should know how to resolve things</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>like a simple IRQ conflict in the
PC should one occur after the install of</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>the NIC. Even in a system with an
available IRQ (and in the proper range for</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>a NIC) can have a conflict occur after
the card is installed. Or do you feel</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>that the tech should say "Hey, broadband
is working great!, sorry we screwed</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>up your printing services though".</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> The installation of a NIC in a 'properly
functioning' PC is almost</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>automatic and</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> just about anybody could do it if
they aren't afraid to open their</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>computer up.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>"almost", and "just about", only count
in Horse Shoes and Hand Gernades!</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>And you continue to verify what I
am saying. It is not a perfect world when</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>it comes to PC's. That is why plug-n-play
is often called plug-n-pray, AND</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>why the tech does need to be cross-trained
with basic PC knowledge.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> PC Medic wrote:</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > "atakicker" &lt;nospam@nospam.net>
wrote in message</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > <A HREF="news:gXib8.10520$SJ3.387856@news1.east.cox.net">news:gXib8.10520$SJ3.387856@news1.east.cox.net</A>...</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > "PC Medic" wrote in message</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > > The person dropping the cable
should not be the same person</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>installing</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > > cable modem.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > > If you do not have a drop
already in the room where the PC will be,</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>it</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > > should have been scheduled
separate from the PC and modem</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>configuration.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > >&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not
in my world. I had cable TV and internet installed on the same</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > day.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > One guy came out and ran the
drop from the pole to the house and</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>hooked up</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > the TV. Later that day another
one came out and ran from the box under</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > eave of the house (which was
installed by the first guy) to the</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>computer,</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > which is in a different room.
The only thing he didn't do was drill</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > through</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > the cinder block wall. I did
it for him because I have a 100 pound</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>mean</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > a__</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > dog in the yard. (But I did
use his tools). And he did have a problem,</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>he</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > screwed up my irq settings and
couldn't get my sound card to work.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>After</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > 45</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > minutes of watching him scratch
his head and three calls to someone</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>(?), I</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > > ran him off and reset everything
myself.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > Sounds like they are having trouble
getting broadband installers in your</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > area and may be cross-training
cable techs. This is not the desired (or</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>SOP)</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > method but unfortunately done
in some areas. I must say that you were</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>brave</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > in the fact that you even let
him touch your PC! I would not do this and</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > would have stopped them at the
modem. Anything beyond there becomes,</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>"excuse</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > me while I make the required settings".</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > By the way, Why didn't he just
use the magic CD?&nbsp;&nbsp; :)</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > These types of&nbsp; problems
are exactly why I was telling the "Cox</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>Contractor"</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > that YES, they do need networking
knowledge, because contrary to his</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>claims,</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > the CD is not a fix all and only
configures you IE and Outlook Express</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>not</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > your network or hardware settings.</font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>> > ></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font size=-1>></font></font></blockquote>

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