[Fat Cat]

Well I'm going to finally get with the times and upgrade my old dial-up to DSL. I'm 90% sure I'm going to go with Qwest since I can save $ by bundling it with my phone bill. My question is this, what do I need to get started and how easy is it to hook up? I would like to know a little more before I call them up.

[Jerry H.]

Generally all you will need is an ethernet card in your computer. Most modern computers come with them. Your provider will tell you and generally provide anything else you should need. Just give them a call.

[Fat Cat]

Doesn't DSL come in via the phone line? Do I need to hook up any additional wall jack?

[Supertacks]

Yes DSL rides over a standard phone line. You will need to have at least basic phone service in your house but you will not need a separate line for the DSL. It can ride over your primary number. It lives on a frequency above standard telephone equipment and will not interfere with its operation. You will basically be online 24/7 and your phone will operate as it always has. When you call your ISP to sign up they will send you a modem to hook up. The box will most likely contain line filters to plug in at each location a phone or fax is located in your home.

Thats about it!

Just remember . . . no need for a second phone line.

[zbuickman]

nope just the one your useing now for your dial up. How ever you will have to put filters on all your other phones(they plug in line) Your DSL provider will supply those

[Fat Cat]

Cool, thanks guys. I have to look at my modem as it may already be equipped to run DSL. Otherwise I'll be giving Qwest a call soon and get the ball rolling on this.

[Blue '66]

Ask how far away you are away from the source.It makes a difference,if you are over a certain amount(can't remember how far)the speeds are slower.I have ATT DSL and I love it.

[goatmanmitch]

DSL repair is one of my primary job functions with Ver!zon. With the incredibly competitive pricing for dsl these days, I am surprised anyone still has dial up. It is an upgrade that you will be amazed with, especially when most dsl services are little or sometimes no additional cost comparted to what you are paying now. Usually about fifteen times faster than dial up. You will most likely get a self install kit with everything you need, including the correct dsl modem. You may have a choice to upgrade (or recieve an promotional upgrade) to a modem that includes a router or even a wireless router. Decide how many computers you have including laptops with wireless capability then consider if that is worth it to you. The kit will give you microfilters to run all your phones through, but the most common mistake that people overlook is that EVERYTHING that plugs into your phone line needs a filter. This includes satellite receivers, dial-up computer modems & especially security systems. Most modems we use will connect you to the internet as soon as you plug them into your computer, most computers are set up to automatically detect your settings. Of course run your start up disc, it will ensure that your settings are correct and will also set up your email. I recommend going through whoever your local phone provider is- you can get dsl through other companies, but if you have a problem it will take extra long to get resolved with each company pointing fingers as to who is to blame. Something most people would never consider. If you get it and have trouble setting it up, send me a PM and I will be glad to talk you through over the phone. Mitch

[engineer]

not entirely true, depends when your house was built and what type of internal phone wire was used. I had to run separate cat 5 wiring out to the outside phone junction box where the DSL was added so it is split by the phone company now from the old inside phone wiring and into the new cat 5 wiring. That way there is no interference with the existing phones and I did not need a filter on each phone. Also that gives me a good wire to the DSL modem particularly if you hard wire in a network instead of wireless which I have done. splitter porvided by DSL company along with extra splitter in case the one fails.

[goatmanmitch]

That is a way we route around problems, and it is also the best way to do it. That is how I have my house set up. But often not necessary, and cat 5 is also not necessary. Cat 5 comes into play when your signal leaves your router and it can run an immense distance on cat five- but using it for your inside phone wire would only be beneficial if the drop line from the pole to your house was cat 5 and all the wiring back to the central office is cat 5 (or if you have fiber to the curb). Most of the lines on the pole would be more an equivalent to cat 3. A filter can be jerry-rigged in the terminal on the side of the house (and sometimes even the protector in the terminal can degrade performance) but a proper 'splitter' can only be obtained during a visit from a phone company technician. But needing to take these additional steps is very often not needed, about 90% of customers never need to have a technician visit your home.

Originally Posted by engineer

not entirely true, depends when your house was built and what type of internal phone wire was used. I had to run separate cat 5 wiring out to the outside phone junction box where the DSL was added so it is split now from the old inside phone and into the new cat 5 wiring. That way there is no interference with the existing phones and I did not need a filter on each phone. Also that gives me a good wire to the DSL modem particularly if you hard wire in a network instead of wireless which I have done.

[Fat Cat]

Thanks for the input Mitch. Reason I've had dial up so long is because I didn't pay for it. Got if free through the U of M. Now the end of this year they are discontinuing the modem pool, so I figure it's time to upgrade.

[Bronze66]

You'll be "on-line" all the time now basically. You can shut off your network or computer. Make sure you get a good software firewall to keep the bad guys out. Zone Alarm is free and works great. You could put in a small router as a hardware firewall if wanted. Just protect yourself with at least a sw firewall. I don't think mush of MS firewall as protection.

[Brian Baker]

Been working DSL repair with Verizon for 7 years now. I'm the guy that the field tech's call for a test assist.

Other than a need for an ethernet connection from modem to computer, you shouldn't need anything...the DSL provider should provide everything you need to get going. You can throw your old modem in the trash once hooked up. I can't speak for other competitors, but if there's an inhouse wiring issue keeping you from getting connected, Verizon installs home runs for free (involves a splitter/filter at the NID/demarc with phone lines running out of one side and a dedicated line to the modem jack). Verizon offers three basic speeds, and one really fast speed:

768K (up to 18,000' copper length from the central office)
1.7M (also up to 18K')
3M (up to 12K')
7.1M (up to 8K')

Customers located in the boondocks are not left out, we've installed remote terminals in the last 3 years which takes the DSL equipment out of the c.o. and places it closer to them.

Just learned today we have a new offer called "DSL for life". If you sign up between now and the end of October you can get 768K for $14.99 a month or 1.7M for $27.99 a month (minimum two year contract). Price will never go higher than this, and who knows, with the prices coming down all the time you can always renegotiate. We have customer that have been with us for as long as 8 years that renegotiate lower rates all the time and Verizon gives it to them, if for no other reason to keep market share.

[zbuickman]

Originally Posted by Brian Baker

Customers located in the boondocks are not left out, we've installed remote terminals in the last 3 years which takes the DSL equipment out of the c.o. and places it closer to them.

Hey thats me I have verizon DSL and am and am @ 40,000' and they did have to install equipment for me to recieve it. its slow for DSL but its WAY better than dial up. p.s. they dont just offer up this service either. and it took 3 months to get it. but Im happy with it especially for my location and they gave me a free second line for dial up while they installed it