====================================================================== T A L O N 7 ______ __ ______ __ ____ ____ __ _ ___ ____ | || | | \ | | | || | | \ | | | || | |__ ||__| |___ | | | | _||_ | | \ |_| |___|| | | | ___ | | | | | | | | | \__ / / | | / / | |_ | |___ | |_ _| | | | / / | | | | | | | | | || | | |\ | | | |___| \__| |____| |______| |____||____| |__| \__| |___| ====================================================================== talon7.org + MSN BROADBAND MINI-FAQ + talon7.org ===============| 01/22/03 |================== | paranoidxe | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This FAQ is provided to help users of MSN Broadband that are having difficulties using the service or getting connected. This guide is also for new users who are curious about MSN Broadband and it's services. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +---------------------------------+ |~->> SECTION 1 : MSN SERVICE <<-~| +---------------------------------+ [1.1 What speeds does MSN offer?] Speeds are based on your local phone company. Below is a list of co's and their offered speeds with MSN: ___________________________________________________ |Bellsouth | 1500K/256K | |SBC | 384K-1500K/128K | |Verizon | 768K/128K | |Qwest | 640K/256K | ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ [1.2 Areas MSN Broadband is Available] Arizona,California,Colorado,Idaho,Iowa,Minnesota,Montana,New Mexico, Nebraska,North Dakota,Oregon,South Dakota,Texas,Utah,Washington,Wyoming. These are areas where MSN Broadband are available, this still does not guarentee that you will be able to get DSL in your area, as it also depends on your phone company. [1.3 How do I switch from another provider?] First make sure MSN Broadband is available in your area and that you meet the system requirements MSN Broadband requires. If you wish to switch from an existing provider you need to cancel your existing ISP, this will take up to 2 weeks for them to release your line. Once that step is complete, go sign up for MSN Broadband, expect about a 1 to 2 week waiting period. [1.4 How will my internet connection work?] MSN is setup like this: Your Home >> Phone Co. >> MSN Your computer will have direct communication with your Phone Company, the phone company will get information from the internet through MSN, then transfer the information to your machine. The Phone Company is essentially the router, transfering data from both your computer and MSN's Central Computers. [1.5 MSN System Requirements] Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 166Mhz Pentium or Higher 16MB of RAM (32MB Recommended) 170MB available HD Space Ethernet or USB Port available CDROM Drive (for installation) +-------------------------------------+ | ~->>SECTION 2 : HARDWARE<<-~ | +-------------------------------------+ [2.1 The Arescom NetDSL 860/1000 Modem/Light Meanings] PWR: indicates that the modem is turned on. DIAG: self-diagnostics for the modem when it is initially turned on, this light will be on for a brief moment when you turn the modem on, but then it will turn off. If light remains on the modem has a problem. LAN: indicates that the connection to your ethernet card and the DSL modem is functioning correctly. USB: indicates the USB connection to your computer to the DSL modem is working properly. LINK: if blinking rapidly, the modem is establishing a connection with the remote computer, if blinking slowly the modem cannot find a connection and there is a problem remotely, if solid this means there is a active connection between your computer and the remote computer. ACT: indicates data is being transfered, can also indicate high network traffic if the light goes solid a lot. [2.2 Checking Arescom Modem Connection] This is a useful diagnostics page for your internet connection, it can essentially show where you are having problems at, although not in plan language. Using Internet Explorer go to: http://192.168.1.1/status.html [2.3 Accessing Microsofts Reconfiguration Page] This page can be used to get new firmware upgrades as well as re-register your computer with MSN's. https://cpeconfig.dsl.msn.com +-------------------------------------+ |~->> SECTION 3 : TROUBLESHOOTING <<-~| +-------------------------------------+ [3.1 Connection drops when phone is picked up, what's wrong?] This sounds like a filter problem, you need to make sure filters are on every device in the house that use the same line as the DSL does. [3.2 DSL performance is slow, what's wrong?] DSL performance going slow can happen for various reasons, here are some: - Network traffic is high (no solution possible) - Drivers out of date, make sure your network adapter drivers are up-to-date. - Make sure the filters are installed correctly - If a filter is on the DSL connection, disconnect it, and put it in the line without the filter..filters can sometimes slow down internet connections. [3.3 DSL randomly drops me, what's wrong?] - Network traffic is high (no solution) - Electro-magnetic Interference..specifically in the modem might be the problem, make sure there are no electrical devices that may interfer with the modem's functioning. - Check your Arescom Status Page, if DSL randomly goes on and offline then Network Traffic is the problem. - If PPP keep going off and on yet DSL is still up, then it may be time to call MSN Tech Support. [3.4 I can't connect! Help!] Open your Arescom Status Page: - If PPP is down, but DSL is up..this is a Phone Company problem, but call MSN Tech Support and they'll run you through some steps. - If DSL and PPP is down, this is probably a network traffic issue, you'll just need to wait out the traffic. - If DSL is down and PPP is up, this is a MSN Server Side problem, wait awhile (30 min) see if it comes back on, if it doesn't contact MSN Tech Support. - Check your NAT address, if it starts with 65, you will need to reconfigure your modem by going to the MSN configuration page. Anything other than 65 will function just fine. [3.4 Check MSN Network Status] http://supportservices.msn.com/us/netstatus.asp for a basic overview of the MSN Network http://support.msn.com/networkstatus.aspx for a detailed view, you must log-on with your membership information, then select MSN Internet Access from the menu. Here you will see specifically what areas are having problems. [3.5 Contact MSN Support] Accounts, Billing, Password Resets, Tech Support: (800) 386-5550 Hearing Impaired TDD Device: Customer Service/Billing - (866) 271-7577 Tech Support - (800) 877-9580