Greetings Guys,
I wonder if any of you guys knows how to get around the AOL bump-out problem. There are lots of times in which I've gotten disconnected from AOL, & I really get sick & tired in signing in over & over again in order to get back into bj21.com. I'd called AOL for months and attempted to fix the problem. I get no where. Help.
get a real ISP
AOL used to time-out a lot, but that hasn't been a problem for me for a while. One problem I've noticed (in my location, at least) is AOL's modems don't handle the V90 standard well at all. They were designed for the older 56K standard. There is usually a way to get your modem to default to 56K, or if that fails, to the old V34 standard, which is perfectly acceptable for reading message boards (not so good for streaming video or audio).
Do you often get a message that says "check your settings"?
ETF
....which ended over a year ago, I have to laugh. It wasn't funny back then.
Nowadays, zoom-zooming around the net on my DSL is a true pleasure. Sure, it's more expensive, but it's tremendously faster, and drop-offs are very rare. Since I can use my home phone at the same time, I leave my computer on line all the time, unless I am leaving the house for a couple of days, or an electrical storm is approaching.
Moreover, I am glad to be rid of AOL's pre-occupation with keeping me up to date with what was going on in Brittany Spear's life on the home page. Do they still do that?
I have never understood this loyalty that AOL subscribers seem to have.
They continue to stick with AOL when they could switch to another provider, get a more reliable connection, customer service that actually responds to their needs, not to mention actually saving a few dollars a month!
I have never understood this loyalty that AOL subscribers seem to have.
They continue to stick with AOL when they could switch to another provider, get a more reliable connection, customer service that actually responds to their needs, not to mention actually saving a few dollars a month!
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Many times it's called having teenagers!
Chip
The trick to get real help at AOL or from any other technical support line is to talk to a supervisor during normal business hours at wherever the tech support center is located. You have to remember that the tech support facility is a group of close to minimum wage losers that are supervised by a few knowledgable supervisors. The average support person is great for answering the average question from the average user. Questions that usually have a solution like; Check the plug, try rebooting, or don't delete those files next time. You have to convince the person you're talking to that the problem is so complex that they will never understand it and they need to get the supervisor. Remember, this holds true for ANY type of tech support.
Now. I must defend my ISP, AOL. I've used AOL for many years. Since before they carpet-bombed their CD's to every household and even before they offered unlimited service. I've had great tech support, while only sometimes having to use the above mentioned methods. I find it easy and efficient to use. I connect at faster speeds than other ISPs. I hate Internet Explorer/Netscape that you are forced to use with other ISPs. And I don't like the security problems with DSL/Cable. (Whoever mentioned that they leave their computer on and connected at all times is asking for trouble.) I'm an engineer and I find many people are amazed that an engineer uses AOL. Well, I don't do the latest tech toy thing, nor do I keep track of every dime I spend with Quicken and I don't own a PDA. IMHO these things waste more time, money, and effort than they ever save. I'm a firm believer in KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) so don't listen to these comments about "Get a real ISP". Stick with what works for you. And for those that say "you need to try DSL and you'll never go back to dial-up". Well, I've got DSL at work and I connect to the internet with my own AOL account there so I don't have to use IE/Netscape. I notice a very slight lag in a web page loading at home as compared to work. Like that extra .6 seconds makes soooo much difference. Sure a raw download of a file takes a lot longer but I've got other things to do so I click download and do some work around the house and come back a little later. No big deal.
I would check the call waiting as mentioned earlier. Also try using a different phone number to connect with. Use keyword "upgrade" to make sure you have the latest version. If none of that works, try using my tech support trick. Also, it could be a phone line problem. Lines might not be properly grounded at your junction box. Terminals might be corroded at your junction box. Or, as I found out where I used to live, there could be a loose connection at the phone company terminal box down the block.
P.S. I won't even go into the DSL/cable nightmare stories I've heard.
Britney is looking to focus on career. Want to throw up yet.
Had the same problem and can't offer anything except sympathy. AOL (and affiliates such as compuserve) has been getting consistently worse, though they are not alone.Geography seems to be as much a problem as the type of browser or type of connection.
My solution is the rather radical one of only using Cybercafes. As crazy as my solution sounds my productivity has gone up about 300% and I'm a lot happier too.
(and affiliates such as compuserve)
Now I know why I haven't been able to get any e mail through to you.
Chip
So lets sum up your arguements.
1)Beg for some Competency- Which you went on to describe as great Tech support after you tricked them into helping you.
2)Unjustified fear of an open connection.- turn off computer when not in use.
3)My other car is a Porsche arguement- If you need a real ISP you use the one at work.
4) You conclude with the concept that AOL is so bad it could be confused as a phone line problem.
You have in fact made an excellent arguement on why a change of ISP is needed. To Keep it Simple.
The compuserve address has been dead for ages. Sorry for everyone who has tried to contact me through it. I can't get through to compuserve to wipe the contact address from my webpage.
I don't even know who Justin is. I really feel left out.
:-)
Well, I hate to get in a pissing match here, but I feel I must counter your points.
>1)Beg for some Competency- Which you went on to describe as great Tech support after you tricked them into helping you.
It is not reasonable to expect that every single person on a tech support team has great and extensive knowledge of the product. It would be foolish and expensive to do that since most people calling in for tech support need help with the "basics" only. I've had basic questions answered quickly as well as a complex issue that was eventually solved by the supervisor so yes, I do consider this excellent tech support. Available 24/7 by chat, e-mail, or toll-free phone. Not many other ISPs have that.
>2)Unjustified fear of an open connection.- turn off computer when not in use.
Hardly unjustified. I believe there is a current worm working on Linux systems that opens up port and links all infected machines in a giant network. Anyone on this network can then access any other machine on it. This could easily happen through any broadband connection. Actually, it could happen through a dial-up as well. It's just far less likely.
>3)My other car is a Porsche arguement- If you need a real ISP you use the one at work.
I use the DSL connection at work but with the AOL interface. It's a little faster, but not much. It's also down occasionally and we've had to change ISP's twice because they go out of business. We then need new hardware and new settings on everyones computers. Usually takes a week to get all the bugs worked out. Later we get an invoice for the old equipment that we tried to return earlier and they refused to take it. So it's more like my other car is a mercedes that goes a little faster but spends a lot of time in the shop and costs a lot more to buy and maintain.
My point is that I see the costs, benefits, and problems with broadband and I choose to stick with my AOL dial-up service.
>4) You conclude with the concept that AOL is so bad it could be confused as a phone line problem.
Not sure how you got from point "A" to point "2" on this one. I'm just trying to point out potential problems to answer the original post. Is AOL supposed to detect phone line problems? Would DSL? I've got a friend that spent a month trying to get cable internet service working. After three cable modem changes they finally found a problem with the cable connections in the house. In this example you really can make a connection between the ISP and problem but with AOL they cannot be held responsible for phone line problems!
I think you just hate paying all that extra money every month to save a few fractions of a second to load a web page. You justify this by blindly hating the cheaper alternative.
Of course AOL is not for everyone. If you do a lot of downloading or access many web pages with extensive graphics, it could easily be worth the extra bucks for broadband. Personally, I USE the Internet. I do research, I check and write email, and I read and post on a few message boards. Duh. I don't "surf", I don't "chat", I don't download the latest song, and I don't need to pay for anything more than what I've got with AOL.
You love your broadband, right? Great. I'm happy for you. But there is no need to trash the alternative that might be perfect for someone else.
The guy too cheap to pay his way into space with the Russians, who got the most advertized and PTed virgin this side of...well pick the high school I guess?
So Britaney of the lack of lung capacity that most concerts are lip-synced and Justin splitup.
Who the hell cares? I am certain neither can count cards or sing!@
Not worth arguing about. If your winning to put up with AOL who am I to complain. Sorry
I think Justin kind of cute and he sing better than Britney. I think
Britney dress stupid and have no style. She no Madonna, but maybe
she more photogenic. I still like get know her.
Joe, thanks very much for your reply. As per your suggestion, I got a hold of an experienced AOL supervisor (Dave) who helped me to resolve the disconnecting problem. Dave emailed me the Auto-Fix program. I clicked open the program, and it automatically did its own things and somehow fixed the problem.
BTW, you just save me some money. Now I don't have to pay Hilton a buck every time when I get disconnected and dial up again onto AOL. Joe, thanks again. Regards D.
Joe BJ wrote: "The trick to get real help at AOL or from any other technical support line is to talk to a supervisor during normal business hours at wherever the tech support center is located. You have to remember that the tech support facility is a group of close to minimum wage losers that are supervised by a few knowledgable supervisors. The average support person is great for answering the average question from the average user. Questions that usually have a solution like; Check the plug, try rebooting, or don't delete those files next time. You have to convince the person you're talking to that the problem is so complex that they will never understand it and they need to get the supervisor. Remember, this holds true for ANY type of tech support.
Now. I must defend my ISP, AOL. I've used AOL for many years. Since before they carpet-bombed their CD's to every household and even before they offered unlimited service. I've had great tech support, while only sometimes having to use the above mentioned methods. I find it easy and efficient to use. I connect at faster speeds than other ISPs. I hate Internet Explorer/Netscape that you are forced to use with other ISPs. And I don't like the security problems with DSL/Cable. (Whoever mentioned that they leave their computer on and connected at all times is asking for trouble.) I'm an engineer and I find many people are amazed that an engineer uses AOL. Well, I don't do the latest tech toy thing, nor do I keep track of every dime I spend with Quicken and I don't own a PDA. IMHO these things waste more time, money, and effort than they ever save. I'm a firm believer in KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) so don't listen to these comments about "Get a real ISP". Stick with what works for you. And for those that say "you need to try DSL and you'll never go back to dial-up". Well, I've got DSL at work and I connect to the internet with my own AOL account there so I don't have to use IE/Netscape. I notice a very slight lag in a web page loading at home as compared to work. Like that extra .6 seconds makes soooo much difference. Sure a raw download of a file takes a lot longer but I've got other things to do so I click download and do some work around the house and come back a little later. No big deal.
I would check the call waiting as mentioned earlier. Also try using a different phone number to connect with. Use keyword "upgrade" to make sure you have the latest version. If none of that works, try using my tech support trick. Also, it could be a phone line problem. Lines might not be properly grounded at your junction box. Terminals might be corroded at your junction box. Or, as I found out where I used to live, there could be a loose connection at the phone company terminal box down the block.
P.S. I won't even go into the DSL/cable nightmare stories I've heard."
