very slow ADSL - whose problem ?

Dear group,

A colleague has just self-installed a Homecall package and tells me it takes
tens of minutes to get any web page to load. My guess is there's something
wrong with the modem or the copper between him and the exchange whereas he
has paid 30 quid so far to have "Technical Support" tell him he has
"spyware" from his dialup days.

The machine is problem free otherwise, but I will be helping him eliminate
spyware and worm problems just in case.

Who does he contact to have the phone connection checked ?

Not having ADSL myself, and since the connection is so dependent on local
circumstances, I wonder why the ISP didn't supply installation software that
diagnoses such problems ...

Should he demand a replacement modem or contact BT ?

thanks ...

Jeremy, Bristol

brugnospamsia wrote:
> Dear group,
>
> A colleague has just self-installed a Homecall package and tells me it takes
> tens of minutes to get any web page to load. My guess is there's something
> wrong with the modem or the copper between him and the exchange whereas he
> has paid 30 quid so far to have "Technical Support" tell him he has
> "spyware" from his dialup days.
>
> The machine is problem free otherwise, but I will be helping him eliminate
> spyware and worm problems just in case.
>
> Who does he contact to have the phone connection checked ?
>
> Not having ADSL myself, and since the connection is so dependent on local
> circumstances, I wonder why the ISP didn't supply installation software that
> diagnoses such problems ...
>
> Should he demand a replacement modem or contact BT ?

The key here is the virus/spyware issue. Until that machine is clean -
and that means using up to date signatures - I wouldn't bother worrying
about copper.

Report back when the machine has been cleaned/checked with details of
the OS, modem, etc.

> ....paid 30 quid so far to have "Technical Support" tell him he has
> "spyware" from his dialup days.
> The machine is problem free otherwise, but I will be helping him eliminate
> spyware and worm problems just in case.

I`ve got links and tips on removing spyware at
http://www.coreutilities.co.uk

All the files I link to are free.

Be wary about many "anti-spyware" apps - a great many of them are not
what they purport to be:

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

--
Please add "[newsgroup]" in the subject of any personal replies via email
--- My new email address has "ngspamtrap" & @btinternet.com in it ;-) ---

"brugnospamsia" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:uYuSd.20421$(E-Mail Removed). uk...
> Dear group,
>
> A colleague has just self-installed a Homecall package and tells me it
> takes tens of minutes to get any web page to load. My guess is there's
> something wrong with the modem or the copper between him and the exchange
> whereas he has paid 30 quid so far to have "Technical Support" tell him he
> has "spyware" from his dialup days.

Well, if we are into guessing, my guess is that spyware/worm/virus is a far
more likely cause of the problem.

"Alastair" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:421aef35$0$38043$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> "brugnospamsia" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:uYuSd.20421$(E-Mail Removed). uk...
> > Dear group,
> >
> > A colleague has just self-installed a Homecall package and tells me it
> > takes tens of minutes to get any web page to load. My guess is there's
> > something wrong with the modem or the copper between him and the
exchange
> > whereas he has paid 30 quid so far to have "Technical Support" tell him
he
> > has "spyware" from his dialup days.
>
> Well, if we are into guessing, my guess is that spyware/worm/virus is a
far
> more likely cause of the problem.
>
>

OK but it must be particularly crap spyware !

Thinking about it, I'd better also make sure his Windoze is service-packed
and his firewall is turned on ....

I may be back later ;-)

thanks

Jeremy

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 09:00:18 GMT, "brugnospamsia"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I may be back later ;-)

You will be as I doubt it has anything to do with spyware. Homecall
use Tiscali datastream products. That should be enough info to
convince you of the utter futility of "fixing" your friend's
connection ;-)
--
John Naismith

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 11:33:16 +0000, John Naismith
<john$(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 09:00:18 GMT, "brugnospamsia"
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>I may be back later ;-)
>
>You will be as I doubt it has anything to do with spyware.

I've seen machines curl up and die quietly in the corner from spyware
infections. It doesn't take much and can seriously cripple your
browsing experience if it isn't controlled.

Get Ad-Aware, install it - patch it - run it in Safe Mode. Job's done.
It won't cost anything to use, and could safe hours of headache to
technical support lines. I think in this case they've been bang on the
button with their diagnosis.