Let's get connected

Okay folks it time to talk about wireless connectivity. First I would like to say if you computer is not connecting to the router correctly it is most likely not Verizon's fault. If you call in we at tech support will help you, however don't act huffy with us. The most likely cause is the suckiness of windows, especially Vista. When you connect to a Verizon router it has a network name (ESSID) and a network key (WEP Key). These are both printed on a little sticker on the router. These have to be entered in to your wireless network software in order for the computer to get an address from the router. If you use some software other than windows wireless software call them. Verizon does not have the info and walkthroughs for third party software. AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don't take this out on me (think about it for a minute, trust me it makes complete sense). For those of you that are a little, let's be nice and go with slow, almost every wireless device especially laptops have a hard switch or software switch to turn the wireless card on and off. Find this switch on your own I have no idea where it is, call the computer manufacturer they can tell you, but I CAN NOT. Okay so now that we know what we are doing let's hook up. Down in the application tray, the little space by the clock, there is an icon that looks like computers connecting or a computer with an antenna. Double click on that and find something that says connect it is different in XP and Vista. There is a little searching involved but what we are trying to get to is the list of wireless networks. There are walk throughs all over the web for your version of windows. Once you have this list you need to select the network that was listed on the back of the router and enter the WEP key (network key, pass key). This is not every step, if you cannot find this list or have any problems, just ask and I can walk you through it step by step. If the information has been entered incorrectly somehow you will have to clear the preferred network list (this will be a topic for another day). So if these are problems you face just calm yourself down it is not as hard as it seems. I want to leave you with one last bit of info. These settings cannot be changed by your internet provider, do NOT call and blame verizon, it is probably due to an update or glitch in windows (or perhaps the three year old doing his Beethoven impression - don't do that folks). WINDOWS VISTA SUCKS, its network software is a little disorienting. XP is a little better but if you want my suggestion go with the new windows 7 (it is very, very nice). Here is a link to upgrade to Windows 7 for 50 bucks use it, it is worth every penny.

Don't yell at the Tech Support Guy

Okay I know a lot of people think that tech support is a fix all department that will do anything you need, but that is not the case. It does not help to yell at the tech guy when all he wants to do is help you out. What most people do not understand is that there is this thing called a support boundary. What this means is that I may be ABLE to help you, I may WANT to help you, but I am NOT ALLOWED to help you. Verizon has a service contract (that no customer has ever read), this outlines what we are and are not allowed to help you with. Yelling at us does not change these terms. So here are a few hints to try and relieve some of your frustration. IE (internet explorer) sucks. If you can't get on to the internet it could be a problem with your browser, so what you want to do is get rid of it. Mozilla offers firefox for free and Google chrome is awesome and free as well. At work I cannot tell you this, all I can say is that your internet works from our end and I don't know why "this page cannot be displayed". If you want a heads up on whether the problem is system based or connection based here are a few things to check. Please do this before you slog through the lovely voice prompt system,(yes we know it sucks too) and then wait on hold for an hour. You have a black box (usually next to your computer) that is called a router. It has a light on it next to the label that says internet. If that light is on you most likely have an open internet connection. Wanna test it? Well then open up the command prompt (xp - start, run, type cmd; vista - click the start (flag) icon, in the search box type cmd). Now you have a lovely old fashioned dos prompt in front of you. Now just type, ping 192.168.1.1 (could be 192.168.0.1) and hit enter. This will give you a report, the only thing you need to know is sent =4, recieved =4. If the recieved is a big fat 0 you arent connected to the router (we will save this for another day). Now type, ping www.google.com, again sent =4, recieved =4. If you just recieved you are connected to the internet. SO NOW YOU MUST CALL SOMEONE ELSE - geeksquad, microsoft, dell, an eight year old neighbor kid, Ill even let you call me at home if you pay me enough. However, VERIZON will not help you. They provide an internet connection. That connection is working. They are done with you. So until next time, I am the Verizon FIOS Insider, and I hope you have a great day.

P.S. Stop banging your head on the monitor, it is not that bad. You will survive, I promise.

Don't waste your time calling the Verizon's Help Desk

Here are some secrets to get you around the endless phones wait and straight to a help desk support person.

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