SBC Yahoo DSL

Okay, so without a bit of networking knowledge and a ton of patience, I never, ever would have gotten my SBC Yahoo DSL up and running with our Linksys router.

First problem? Absolutely no documentation. You are required to install their software, which also installs some spyware, hijacks your browser, changes many settings, adds unnecessary programs, and puts 5 new icons on your desktop without asking you if any of this is ok.

Next, the required registration software is buggy. I had to reinstall it three times. The first time, it threw script errors at me when I tried to register. The second time, it couldn't find its own built-in server connection. The third time, it worked. Installation took almost 20 minutes each time. It installs 125 MB of crap on your computer.

Finally I got to the point where I could figure out what the IP address it was assigning me was and the DNS servers. I used those to configure my router settings. SBC Yahoo could *not* automatically configure it for me like Charter Pipeline did. I could ping, I could use nslookup, but I couldn't use an internet browser.

I had to figure out that I had to switch my router to use PPPoE. Customer support didn't tell me that, the "help software" didn't tell me that.. I only figured it out by catching the "attempting connection" screen flash by, where I saw the phrase "Attempting to create PPPoE Connection."

At any rate, this was a pain in the ass. After Angst punched through all the options on the phone support menu, he spent 15 minutes on hold. The customer support was having trouble with their phones, and we were on a poor connection. The phone operator yelled for me to "HANG UP AND CALL BACK ON A REAL PHONE" and then hung up on me.

If we ever lose power to the DSL modem, I'll apparently have to disconnect the network, plug my computer directly into the DSL, and go through the authentication process again to get a new IP address.

So far, piss-poor experience. But then again, I've had a really crappy day, and didn't expect to spend over 2 hours setting up our network.

But hey, I'm back online.

I know just about all the in's and out's for SBC Yahoo DSL, Ive had it since last September. If you need help, I can probably get you going. Ive got mine setup on a Linksys BESFR41 v.2 router that goes to this PC, my PS2 and sometimes a laptop and another desktop(they arent always connected). When I first got SBC, I didnt want all that Yahoo crap, cuz the program sucked and so did the browser. So until I got a router, I just disabled all the other Yahoo stuff and used the Enternet 300 software and had it load and autoconnect on startup. After I got the router, I simply put in the linksys disc that came with it and followed the instructions, it did everything for me.

Most important question: What modem did you get? Some of them are incompatable with the Linksys router and need their firmware updated.

Also, the SBC/Pacbell forum at dslreports.com is the official tech support forum for SBC Yahoo DSL, they have 2 or 3 techs that man the boards, nice guys and they get things fixed fast. I got my line uncapped about a week early from one of them, and hes also calling me tomorrow to connect me with the retension department to get my montly fee lowered, hopefully.

Hook me up with that guy. I want to be uncapped. A lower fee would be good, too.

Oh, and we have a Linksys BESFR41 too, with two PCs.. I got it configured without the Linksys disk. As soon as I got authenticated with a direct PC-to-DSL oonnection, I just did an ipconfig and checked the IP address they assigned and the primary and secondary DNS servers, then plugged that into the router through the admin interface.

Originally posted by Shalome
Hook me up with that guy. I want to be uncapped. A lower fee would be good, too.

If your in a new house, you cant get uncapped til the 10 day period is over(or near the end). The only reason he could uncap me is because I had DSL on this line before, so there was no need to check the limits again. As for the fee getting lowered, well Im crossing my fingers on that one. Im on the Deluxe plan, which is 768-1500/256(I get 1238/246 ) and the other day I was checking out their rates and Im paying way too much. I have to pay $59.99 a month and Im on a 1 year contract, but the website has their rates listed as $44.95 a month for a yearly contract and $59.99 a month for month to month. I stated on the forums that I thought that was very unfair, so one of the techs is gonna see what he can do. My only disadvantage is that I cant threaten to cancel, because if I canceled now, it would cost me something like $400 because of the early cancelation fees. But he thinks I have a good chance of getting a lower fee. Will make me a lot happier tomorrow after the POS day Ive had today.

What state are you in?

*watches shal plug modem into ups*

My first experience with SBC Yahoo Live Tech Support Chat:

Yana: Hello j.starks, How can we assist you today?
j.starks: I just got SBC Yahoo DSL. Since I installed the SBC Yahoo software, most internet sites only display red Xs instead of pictures.
Yana: Okay.
j.starks: I've reinstalled Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, updated my video card drivers, and made sure I had "show images" enabled in IE's options.
Yana: Please let me know, the browser you are using to visit different web sites. (Internet Explorer, Netscape, or SBC Yahoo! Browser).
j.starks: Internet Explorer 6.0.
Yana: Okay.
Yana: I appreciate your knowledge and effort.
Yana: I apologize for the inconvenience this is causing.

(long pause)

j.starks: Are you a bot or a real person?
Yana: Like you.
Yana: I am real person.
j.starks: Heh. Good.
Yana: I suggest that you delete the files and Cookies.
Yana: You may experience this issue, due temporary Internet files and Cookies that gets accumulated with your browser.
j.starks: I've cleared my cache, deleted all temporary internet files and deleted my cookies. I have also run a ScanDisk and defragmented my drive. Then I re-downloaded and reinstalled IE 6 from Microsoft.
j.starks: Any other suggestions?
Yana: That's great!
Yana: Mr. Jason, it seems that some of important file required in Internet Explorer have gone corrupted, due to which you are experiencing.
Yana: Mr. Jason, it seems that some of important file required in Internet Explorer have gone corrupted, due to which you are experiencing this issue.
j.starks: Okay. I just re-downloaded Internet Explorer 6.0 from Microsoft.com and re-installed it. This did not fix the problem.
Yana: Oh!
Yana: I regret the inconvenience this has caused.
Yana: Please contact our Technical Support Engineers to get this issue discussed in detail.
Yana: They will guide with the complete trouble shooting required.
j.starks: How do I contact tech support?
Yana: You can reach them at 1-877-SBC-DSL5.
Yana: I apologize for not being able to assist you in this matter.
Yana: They will be pleased to offer assistance to you further.
j.starks: Okay. Thank you.


Something tells me SBC Yahoo may outsource their tech support to foreign lands...

Go and get help with it here, the people are more knowlegeable:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/ilec,pcb

Wow! i would have had to ask them one more time if they were a real person or a bot!

BTW shalome, where did you go to get to that chat? I never knew they had live tech support chat

Went to sbc.yahoo.com, logged in, clicked around support options.

In case anyone else has this problem, I found the solution:

I killed the SBC Yahoo Connection Manager. The one the techs said I absolutely, fundamentally needed in order to "authenticate with the SBC servers."

I can connect just fine. Faster, in fact. Everything on the internet loads faster. IE works just as well as Netscape. I don't have a problem with Java-based programs going all wonky anymore. I boot a heck of a lot quicker. I don't get annoying little popup "reminders" of stuff I didn't need to know about from SBC Yahoo anymore.

It's excellent.

Did I mention that the SBC techs told me I absolutely positively NEEDED the Connection Manager software?

They say that cuz of their little deal with yahoo. If you dont use it, you dont see "YAHOO!" plastered all over. All that thing does is open the enternet program, which connects you. Its really just a pretty connection manager that causes more trouble than its worth.

I just put enternet in my startup until I got a router. Now I just connect with that.

I am also a user of sbc dsl, and would discourage anyone from using their services if at all avoidable. currently sbc offers the only service in my area so I have to stick with them, but as soon as comcast comes online, they will have my buisness. I suggest you give them yours too.

I just bought the Linksys WRT54G wireless router and hooked it up to the modem that SBC Yahoo DSL gave me. I am able to access the internet from both of my pc's (one laptop and one desktop) but both will suddenly stop working after about 20 minutes. Plus if i turn the desktop on while the lap top is accessing the internet both connections are dropped. Any help?