Anyone Here Use Bellsouth DSL?

Many thanks for your help and input...and for all the others that replied as well.

Hopefully, this thread will be of assistance to other future Bellsouth / AT&T dsl customers.

 

By the way, any recommendations for a router? (Something compatible with BS / AT&T)

 

Let the Old Chief make a comment or two for your evaluation relative to the above inquiry.

But, First let me provide some background.

I purchased a new computer in 2003 and at that time, I switched my dialup to a Bellsouth DSL here in Titusville, Florida.

At that time, they only had one speed and there was no choice to make as there is now with the different speeds of Lite - Ultra - Extreme 3.0 and Extreme 6.0.

We now had two computers so, I gave my old one to the wife and networked them together using a LinkSys Router. i.e. over 8 years ago.

The Linksys router cost around $45.00 and performed great for 5 or 6 years and then it just broke and I had to replace it.

I again purchased another hard wire LinkSys router from my local computer store and it too has been performing flawlessly for the 2 or more years. However, by this time the router had increased in price to something like $60.00.

Probably get it cheaper at Staples or Walmart but, then the people at my local repair shop who builds computers to your specs are fine honest people and I choose to give them my business.

In summary, I have been very satisfied with the LinkSys Router.

Let me also say that I help an old classmate of mine in Texas who had two home computers networked together with a LinkSys router and he also has an ATT DSL connection.

It was through helping him that I learned certain ATT/Bellsouth Modems are also a router.

At first he had the ATT "Ultra" account as I did But, he lives out in the country and had a lot of trouble with speed so, ATT updated him to the "Extreme 3.0" account at no extra charge and sent him a new modem.

We learned at that time which was little over a year ago, that the modem used with the ATT Extreme account was also a router.

So, his system is now setup using the ATT Modem as his router and it works fine.

I'm old and kind of slow myself so, my system has continued to operate using the Linksys router and the Bellsouth Ultra account.

With all the above said, Now please listen closely.

Interestingly enough I never hear of phone company changes or differences until a friend informs me of something new and different.

Accordingly, it was in January 2004 I leaned about the flat rate long distance service with Bellsouth for a $24.99 monthly fee and at that time I redid my package with Bellsouth so that I had the Ultra DSL connection AND what they called the First Choice Plan which is all they offer in the way of Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Back, etc. etc. AND the flat rate Long Distance Service.

In other words I had everything Bellsouth had to offer except their TV dish available through their agreement with Direct TV.

All this cost me around $101.00 to $103.00 each and every month.

Now then, a year or more ago, ATT as we know took over Bellsouth and when they did my monthly phone bill jumped up to around $105.00 to $107.00.

I was busy with my 96 year old mother this past year and didn't bother with inquiring about the increase until couple months ago.

Upon my inquiring and threat to change my DSL and Phone to cable after being a loyal and faithful customer with the same phone number for 44 years. The ATT Service Rep said let me see how we might rebundle your deal.

Note, It is no longer a Package it is a Bundle. -- Ha!

In a few minutes she said she could reduce my phone bill by about $10.00 and that included an upgrade to the Extreme DSL account.

When I ask about the Extreme account Modem also being a Router. She said that's correct you will be receiving a new Wireless Modem which is also a router.

Being an old guy, The reliability of the wireless bothered me a little and she told me I could have my choice of wireless or a hard line connection.

I decided to try the wireless and I received the new modem about a month ago But, since my old modem with it's LinkSys router is still doing a satisfactory job, I have not as yet taken the time to install the new setup.

With the old modem still installed my DSL speed about doubled when ATT converted to the Extreme 3.0 but, then you can judge for your self by reviewing the test results shown at:... www.raysmyth.net/01-att.jpg

My point of writing all this is to suggest rather then spending the funds for a router system you talk to ATT again to verify all I've said and see what kind of a Bundle package deal they might come up with to upgrade from a "Lite" account to a "Extreme" account and save the cost and fuss of having a separate router system.

I'm sorry, I can't provide you with my current exact monthly cost but, I have not as yet received a clean full months bill at the new rate.

I might add that with in the new look I had with the ATT bill I noticed a 2 or 3 dollar fee on it that was a fee for long distance service to foreign countries.

I learned I could still phone foreign countries but, with out the monthly fee it would cost more per minute. Since I have not called a foreign country in more then 30 years I ask that fee be removed.

Of course when it comes to a phone service, my needs and the need of others are totally different.

For example I don't even use a cell phone but, I do hope this encourages you to explore all your options and consider the cost trade off of upgrading to Extreme to achieve the network verses spending the funds for a separate router.

Cheers, Ray

 

Old Chief,

Thanks for the very informative post.

 

Follow-up...

Been trying to set-up my Bellsouth back-up, dial-up account, but I can't get connected. I keep getting a 691 Error: Access denied because the user name and / or password was invalid on the domain.

A Bellsouth rep walked me through the proper steps of configuring the connection, using XP's connection wizard, but to no avail.

The rep said she could do no more.

Any help here is much appreciated.

 

Scott Smith's post #7 already covered that.

I believe they are now using just the 7 digit phone # as your initial password. If you changed it to something else, you'll have to use whatever you changed it to.

 

James, The Old Chief Suggest you call 1-800-985-8567 which is suppose to connect you with an ATT/Bellsouth DSL Support Tech in the USA.

If it does not then ask straight off for a Tech Support in the USA and they are required to transfer you.

Far too many of the NEW ATT support personal are outside the USA and don't know much more then what the book they read from tells them or what is showing on their computer screen.

It is sad the kind of support and care for a job well done that exist today.

I take it you know how to set up the dial up modem and are getting connected and then receive the code 691 meaning the USER ID or Password is wrong.

That alone tells us the problem is in the hand shake between the system and the fact ATT/BS is not accepting the sign in info.

Well ATT/BS can provide your with the account USER ID so you can determine that very easy over the phone and get that entered correctly just as they have it.

ATT/BS can not see your password but, they can reset it to a temporary one and then you can log into your account using the new password and change the password to a new one so you know your correct on the password.

I just did this with ATT/BS and they stayed right on line until I had the new password changed and used it to connect using the dial up modem connection.

I did so because your problem prompted me to test my dial up modem which I had not used or tested for some time and I'll be darned if it would not connect and gave me the same 691 code you received. So, I think in my case something went wrong at ATT/BS and honked up the password.

At any rate we reset the password and that corrected the problem.

For what it's worth, I was positive of my password because it had never been changed from the 7 digit phone number which others have mentioned that you normally start off with.

Bottom Line, If your getting the 691 code that means your getting connected but, ATT/BS is not accepting your Login ID or password and that sort of makes it their problem providing you entered the correct info.

By calling ATT/BS and having them provide a temporary password so you can get into your account to change it to one of your choosing will get you and ATT/BS on the same page and there will be no guessing what the log in info is..

Let us know the outcome.

Cheers, Ray

 

Here, it includes the area code too.

I have no trouble with the DSL conection, but the back-up, dial-up account won't recognize my user name & password.

It might be a problem on their end - or so I wonder.

 

Chief, I missed your post somehow, but I will copy and paste the info for quick review and call the number you provided.

Thanks much.


Edit: Chief, with whom did you speak with? Was it DSL tech support, or dial-up tech support?

 

I first phoned 1-800-321-2375 which is the normal DSL support number and spoke with a DSL Tech because after all this is my DSL Account that was not connecting since the stand by Dial Up is part of the DSL account.

After being given the 1-800-985-8567 number and being told it was for DSL support in the USA I did call and got hold of a Tech in Louisiana

Cheers, Ray

 

Can't do anything tonight about changing my password, because the password server is being worked on.

Strange how you can get different answers from different tech personnel. My first tech helper, tonight, told me that I needed letters at the start of my password, and numbers at the end (at least six all total), in order to make a dial-up connection.

The second tech helper (I made two calls) told me it did not matter, as long as I had at least one letter, and five numbers, or one number and five letters - which made sense to me. But the second tech helper also told me that I could not access the dial-up account as long as my dsl was active and working.

I suggested powering down my dsl modem and disconnecting its phone line, and the tech lady said that that should enable me sign-on with dial-up. But it didn't change anything, because I an still getting the 691 error. (I hung up with tech support before trying this)

I'll try again sometime next week, if I can find the time. I am enrolled at a local college, and I'm working on 2 year machinist's degree.

 

James, unless ATT has changed something, that is simple not true you can still access the dial up with the DSL connected and working.

I've done it on several occasions in the past and I did it just now to prove I could still do it.

So far as the password I understand it does take a minimum combination of 6 letters and numbers but, they can be in any sequence.

I don't think you need it but, for others reading this post I threw together a web page at http://www.raysmyth.net/dunce/12-dialup/0-dialup.html to show others how to create a dial up connection.

This is something I do because I'm the web master for my high school web site and since I'm all time helping my former classmate and old friends with their computer problems, I did a fun thing called "The Dunce's Corner" just so others can be helped and do so with out constantly repeating the subject because when something like this comes up I just turn the solution into a permanent web page and it's there next time the subject comes up.

Ray

 

Chief, I changed my password (myself), but I still can't go online with the back-up, dial-up account.

 

James, if you have setup everything as outlined at http://www.raysmyth.net/dunce/12-dialup/0-dialup.html and used the correct ISP criteria then I think I have run out of ideas.

I can't imagine what is wrong. But, if you and the ATT/BS support people ever figure it out I hope you will let all of us know the fix.

As I recall, ATT/BS has different levels of support and at this point I can only suggest you contact ATT/BS and ask for a higher level of support.

Good Luck and let us know if you succeed. Likewise if I learn any thing new, I will let you know.

Good Luck, Ray

 

Finally got it working.

I must have called about 15 times over a three week period.

Seems that the AT&T web site, and the reps, gave out the wrong dial-up number for my area code / prefix combination.

Customer service is divided into two camps; one for DSL, and one for dial-up. Most every time I called, I was told that I needed to speak to the other department. My last phone call was a bit heated, due to my earlier frustrations, but the last person came through for me and showed me what was wrong.

I can't believe that AT&T doesn't train their people better than that!