My internets is too old!

I'm sorry I have not posted any updates this last week, I have been having internet connection problems.

It all started on Tuesday, when my connections was "Flaky" at best and was dropping the connection every few minutes. Now this has happened to me before about 3 or 4 times a year since I have had my DSL connection. Historically, it has cleared up in a few hours to a day. I always chalked it up to maintainence or upgrades by my service provider. The problem, however, continued through Wednesday and Thursday. Once it didn't clear up by Thursday I began to rip apart my network and try to figure out what the problem was. After spending several hours troubleshooting and I had determined that none of my equipment was bad or my software was malfunctioning, I decided it was time to call AT&T and see if they know why it's not working. This is where the real fun started!

So, I call the AT&T help line and immediately get thrown into an automated system that was going to walk me through troubleshooting. Well of course I had already done all the obvious stuff like restarting my modem & computer. After a few minutes I concluded that this was not going to be very helpful at all, so I proceeded to hit 0 until I could talk to a real person. After being put on hold for several minutes I was connected to a tech guy who was obviously not located in the USA. Here is a summary of the conversation for you amusement. (paraphrased)

Tech Guy: Hello, welcome to AT&T internet help. What is your problem sir.
Me: I have been having connection issues for a few days.
Tech Guy: Ok sir, so you have had connection problems?
Me: Yes.
Tech Guy: Ok, Please restart your modem and router.
Me: I have already been through all of that, and I think it's and external problem, is there service going on in my area?
Tech Guy: Ok, what operating system are you using. Windows XP or Windows Vista?
Me: I use Linux.
Tech Guy:(pause) um, is that Windows XP or Windows Vista sir?
Me. I don't use Windows I use Linux.
Tech Guy:(long pause) I'm sorry sir, was that Windows XP or WIndows Vista?
Me: It's L-I-N-U-X, not windows.
Tech Guy:(another long pause) um, Ok then Please open Internet Explorer.
At this point I was getting a little perturbed.
Me: I use Linux I don't have Internet Explorer, I use Firefox. Would you like to open my browser?
Tech Guy: Yes, open Internet Explorer and enter in 192.168.1.251.
Me: Ok, that does nothing. Are you trying to get to my modem, cause thats not its IP address.
Tech Guy: Yes sir, do you know your modems IP address?
Me: Look, I have already tested my modem and I'm pretty sure it's an external problem and not with my equipment.
Tech Guy: Sir! I have already tested your line and I show no problems from our end!

Well at that point I was completely frustrated with the whole thing so I just hung up and hoped that if would clear up on its own.

Well on Friday it was no better so I decided to bypass my router and plug my modem directly into my computer to test it that way. Once I did I suddenly had a strong connection, I thought Great! now something is working! The only problem is the only page that would come up was an AT&T page saying I needed to change my password but the my Operating system wasn't supported. So I rebooted into Windows XP and opened Internet Explorer and it went directly to an AT&T page saying "There appears to be something wrong with your internet connection" please call such n such number for help. I think great thats the same number I called yesterday.

So I break down and call the number again, and once again I get the automated system which I bypass by repeatably pressing 0. Then after being on hold for 10 mins I finally get some one. I tell him about the page I get from AT&T saying I have connections problems. He then asked me what type of modem I have, I say its and Alcetel such n such. He then asked me how long I have had it, I say about 8 years. He laughs and says you have been with us for 8 years? I say, well it use to be Bellsouth and not AT&T but yeah. Then he informs me that AT&T has been doing upgrades to the network and my modem is too old and no longer works on the new system! I say, well thats great, it would have been nice to know that ahead of time! So anyway they are sending me a new modem and it should be here Monday so I should be back up running soon.

That's the way the world goes round.....