Telkom Modem Crap

[Mlungu]

Just thought I'd share this with you. For a whole week pulling out hairs.....The computers intermittently could not resolve the host name, indicating a dns problem. Tried Everything, Telkom tested the line 4 times, changed the ports, I changed providers, changed switches, changed cables, changed DNS Servers 50 times and changed the Telkom router to another Telkom Router. No improvement. Then somebody suggested to throw out the Telkom router altogether which I thought would not solve it as we already replaced it once. Guess what: PROBLEM GONE. The Telkom modem is the new type.......Now to convince Telkom to refund me as their stuff doesn't work

 

[loosecannon]

simple rule dont get tied down with a tel crap modem ...

if a man comes to your door with a modem for free and wants you to sign papers dont he only wants to give you his modem ...

 

[jake]

You Probably had a setting wrong on the modem. & you fail to say wether you are using a router setup or a PPPOE dialup setup. DNS problems are unlikely to be a modem issue. The Telkom units are conservative & standard.

I purchased a non Telkom router because I thought Telcrap was no good. I found later the non telkom route has a lot of hidden costs & little support, Telkom modem is far cheaper.

 

[James]

"Telkom modem is far cheaper"

I made a post a while back regarding 'Telkoms icasa approved modem'. The modem costs, for the ethernet version, R1100. For the equivelent price you can buy a netgear router/modem/switch. Hmmm pro's and cons. I dunno about anyone here but i am gonna go with the netgear.

The thing is though, paying R1000pm on ADSL after having already spent R2000 on my Telkrap modem(When they first came out. It broke when i flashed new User name and password on it and was now out of garentee) this is all just too expensive. I went and searched for a cheaper modem and ended up with a Microcom modem(1 port ethernet router/adsl modem) almost to the T that is the same as the Marconi. Even the instruction manual was identical except the unit drawings odviously looked like their own units. I only payed R600. Half the price and it is perfect.

So back to point 1 "Telkom modem is far cheaper", I really don't think so!!!

There is no peace without war!!!

 

[jake]

Yeah I did buy a Netgear Modem, the 834DG from Digital planet online. Within 2 weeks the ADSL board blew & I had to drive to JHB to swap it out.

Here are the Hidden costs, everything below is free with telkom

Delivery R50 (digital planet)
Installation R100 (DIY 30 min)
2 Phone filters R70 (netgear comes with 1, but wrong plugs)
Surge Arrestor R248 (from telkom, a substanial unit)
(if it don't have an earth it aint a surge arrestor)
1 Year Onsite
Support / repair R300 (thumb suck)
Cost of Telkom callout when your modem is faulty R135
Time save when connecting first time (some defaults need changing VPI etc.)
Time saved when debugging - priceless

Think Again bru !

 

[James]

Yeah I did buy a Netgear Modem, the 834DG from Digital planet online. Within 2 weeks the ADSL board blew & I had to drive to JHB to swap it out. - <b>Just plain Unlucky there</b>



Delivery R50 (digital planet) - <b>R2 to the top of my road to a normal computer shop</b>

Installation R100 (DIY 30 min) - <b>DIY (but i gave myself R100 for doing it to get drunk on)</b>

2 Phone filters R70 (netgear comes with 1, but wrong plugs) - <b>Don't need them the lines are fine</b>

Surge Arrestor R248 (from telkom, a substanial unit)
(if it don't have an earth it aint a surge arrestor) - <b>Already had one but R250 sounds expensive</b>

1 Year Onsite
Support / repair R300 (thumb suck) - <b>Nonsense I can swop mine for free if it breaks</b>

Cost of Telkom callout when your modem is faulty R135 - <b>Go to their customer care branch's it is free and free swop out</b>

Time save when connecting first time (some defaults need changing VPI etc.) <b>lol 8-35 there some time to save next time</b>

Time saved when debugging - priceless - <b>who needs to debug???</b>

There is no peace without war!!!

 

[jake]

That screeching in you ear when you lift the handset is what the phone (not modem) filters are for. (compulsory)

I do not recomend anyone use an old analog modem surge arrestor

 

[TheVoice]

Well my Netgear DG834 came with everything I needed, including SA cables to enable me to use the Netgear microfilter.

Most of those hidden costs are basically made up or exaggerated.