So HOW annoyed can you get when the Internet doesn't work? Today we spent more than four hours of effective time getting the internet and router working, including lots of time with phone support. This post will be filled with both praise and criticism ...
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SharePrevious internet solution - and new
Our houseboat tenants got a router (Dovado) and an internet stick (Tele2). This worked well and was still running when we returned from our European trip. We thought about extending the deal, but as we had a dormant contract with Telenor, we decided to switch back anyway.
So we inserted a new stick (Telenor instead of Tele2) into the Dovado router ... with the result that nothing worked. We assumed (wrongly) that it was because the router was locked to Tele2 and went and bought a new router (D-Link). Then the real misery began ...
Rice and praise
This is a BIG praise to D-Link. We struggled for hours to get the internet up and running with the new router and called support four times. In the beginning they were just generally unhelpful and by the end they were downright rude. They sent a pdf instruction in Norwegian for PC, and when we called back because we didn't understand how to do it on Mac, they said they "are not Mac support".
When they couldn't help anymore, they thought "Not to be rude ... but do you have any more questions?". Eeeeh ...? No! And you can't even call that support??? The crappy D-Link router will be returned to the store tomorrow!
We went back to the Dovado router, reset all settings and started from scratch. And finally... it worked! What about the rose of the day? Well, it goes to the super nice support guy at Telenor! What are your experiences with failing internet, routers and support?
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Mr Mikael Trevik says:
One tip is to have the modem far from the router with an extension cord. Usually more stable then.
I have had Dovado routers for many years and am very satisfied.
Let me know if I can help with anything /Micke
11 December 2015 - 21:47
BP says:
F**************n I say! These things just HAVE to work. That's just the way it is. Otherwise you are totally handicapped.
Our experience with Bredbandsbolaget is excellent. They respond within three minutes and are incredibly knowledgeable. If necessary, they even "ghost" and remotely control "my" computer. Feels a little creepy, but they do the work for me and disconnect again after the work is done.
I really hope it works for you now!
11 December 2015 - 21:37
Mr Steve says:
There's nothing more boring than when everything doesn't work and if it's spiced up with terrible support, I can't even find a name for the misery.
I think it's a good thing that companies that don't behave well are singled out.
11 December 2015 - 23:40
admin says:
BP, isn't it crazy? Glad you have a good experience with Bredbsndsbolaget! Remote control of the computer can be good sometimes, even if it feels a bit spooky. I experienced this the other day when we needed help with our accounting programme from the accounting firm.
Mikael Trevik, many thanks for the tip! We have an extension cord between the router and the modem that we have not used - but we will do so now after your enlightenment. So thank you very much! ??
Steve, when it doesn't work and the support is bad, you go crazy. I also experienced them as a bit unpleasant, as if they blamed everything on the fact that we had a Mac... (I have a PC but it wouldn't connect and then we had to follow the instructions on Peter's Mac) Well, now I've had to complain and moan a bit... 😉 .
12 December 2015 - 0:57
Marina says:
Technical gadgets should only work when I press the on button, otherwise not much gets done. And if I'm going to use support, it's really important that they are able to work at a very basic level, and even then it's not guaranteed to work!
12 December 2015 - 4:10
admin says:
Marina, right? Several times I had to ask D-Link support to take it a little slower and then they just sounded annoyed ...
12 December 2015 - 9:56
Ama de casa says:
Ugh... I'm getting stressed just reading this! The internet just HAS to work.
Usually it works well here, but lately it has started acting up from time to time. This is because our provider (along with a few others) is laying fibre here in town. For that reason, I can put up with a bit of a mess, I'm looking forward to the fibre. However, my "data department" can not stand me when the internet is down, so he usually starts the mobile instead to get some peace and quiet 🙂.
12 December 2015 - 10:13
Lennart says:
Today wi-fi was dead on the campsite.
Sitting in a restaurant in the village.
It's annoying when it doesn't work.
12 December 2015 - 11:54
Ditte says:
It's a shame when the internet doesn't work and you don't get any happier with poor support. Bad! Bad!
At home we have had fibre optics for a long time with very fast and stable internet and before that we had Comhem, which also worked well.
And the internet should just work. Here in Spain we have it pretty good, but those who have ADSL have more stable internet. But we are happy with our wireless and only pay when we are here. Works well to watch the play channels too, most of the time. And if we want to watch live we have a proxy server.
Let's hope that your internet works from now on.
12 December 2015 - 12:22
admin says:
Ama de casa, I love computers and the internet when it works. When it doesn't work, I go... crazy, sort of. I hope that your fibre will be ready soon and that it will be better then!
Lennart, yes, that's it... lucky you have a restaurant to go to for wifi when the campsite is in trouble!
Ditte, for some reason your comment first went into the trash, but now I've approved it. Glad you have internet that works well! We may have a slightly worse solution because we have a sim card with internet and then a router (living in a boat) but now we have at least 40 gig / month instead of 11 gig / month (which we had before) so it is much better!
12 December 2015 - 12:22
Role o Carina says:
It's sad when it doesn't work and even worse when the support is unpleasant.
I have a D-link router at home with fibre to 3 computers, works great 🙂.
When we are out with the campervan, it is the USB stick from 3, works perfectly 🙂.
Take care and enjoy.....
12 December 2015 - 15:49
admin says:
Rolle and Carina, glad you have a solution that works. I have no idea why the D-Link router did not work, but it really did not work. However, we do not have fibre in the boat but a solution that is more similar to what you have in the motorhome.
12 December 2015 - 19:20
ActiveDays-Camilla says:
We have fibre at home and it works well. Glad that Telenor gets praise, we have some telephone subscriptions with them... 🙂 🙂
12 December 2015 - 20:12
Henny says:
How dependent we have become on reaching out via the Internet. The other day my supplier, Net1, had disruptions and I nearly lost my mind. It's almost worse than when there are power cuts, problems with the phone or water. You never need it as much as then. I'm glad you finally found a solution.
12 December 2015 - 22:42
Mr Hockey says:
It's a bit scary that you've become so dependent on working internet while travelling... At least it makes things much more convenient and time-saving!
12 December 2015 - 23:15
admin says:
Camilla, fibre is supposed to be good I guess. Yes, we were very pleased with the support at Telenor. Nice, happy and helpful guy!
Henny, yes, during the trip we really realised how dependent we are on the Internet! We were without it from time to time, and it becomes very frustrating. Therefore we spent a lot of money on the internet, it was an item that was more expensive than expected.
Mr Hockey, once you have the Internet, it makes life a lot easier. But when you are without it, everything becomes very complicated instead... 😉.
13 December 2015 - 12:25
Ulf Friman says:
Have very good experience with Dovado routers usually work very well.
often when you change the operator on the stick, the new settings are not loaded, i.e. the router believes and uses the old settings with poor results.
a reset and restart usually solves it. a tip buy an external antenna and plug it into the Stick significantly higher and more stable connection I have this in my caravan and increases the speed and connection considerably.
kjell.com/en/range/computer-peripherals/network/mobile-broadband/antenna/smarteq-4g-antenna-with-foot-2-3-dbi-p94751
14 December 2015 - 11:19
admin says:
Ulf Friman, many thanks for the tips! The router works now, when we restarted and fixed the settings, but will look at this antenna. Thank you again!
14 December 2015 - 20:06