I haven't gotten a useful answer from USR via phone or e-mail. Is there
somewhere to get the required feature enable key as a DMF file?
Thanks,
-Vince Reed
No. Not legally. And are you sure you didn't get an answer via phone? The
Courier has a toll-free number for Courier owners and the support is still
pretty good. Maybe you didn't like the idea of paying $60 to get the
upgrade.
One of the current MUW does not require a dial up number. It goes through
the internet. Try that one but have your credit card handy.
Hooda
The current update wizard doesn't properly recognize the modem, only the
older one does. The older one only uses dialup. The dialup number is
disconnected because 3com and USR are splitting, and the facilities are
being moved.
The techs have no idea when, or if, the number will be live again, as it was
only supposed to be out of service for a day or two, a few weeks ago.
I'm not asking anyone to break any laws, and you should be careful what you
insinuate. The tech support I've gotten to date, both on the telephone, and
via e-mail, has been abominable. Aside from getting one tech who told me the
correct muw for a courier was the older version still on the 3com site, I've
gotten no useful info from them.
The tech who responded to my email didn't even read the question before
answering. I'm posting here because I don't know what else to do, and I'm
hoping someone can point me to a comptent support resource at USR, or some
other means of acquiring the enable key (like an alternate dial-up # for the
update wizard, or a way to get the new wizard to download the key, even
though it doesn't properly recognize my modem...)
"Hooda Gest" <Be@One_WithDotCom> wrote in message
news:99ohje$t03$1...@nntp9.atl.mindspring.net...
There you go again implying that someone who wants the upgrade is a thief.
Most every person who asks for the upgrade in the newsgroup you always make
a statement like this. Can you read peoples minds through their typed
letters? Give it a rest Hooda.
Thanks for your Consideration!
Jack
I know full well, since you've stated it several times, that you don't like
paying for any upgrade and that you certainly have a real hate for USR. So I
guess I can read what passes for your mind.
Hooda
I've known about the dial up problems and there also have been reports that
the internet version is not working all that well at times. Still, the new
one should recognize the modem. I'll test that this evening with my Courier
(a very old one...).
>
> The techs have no idea when, or if, the number will be live again, as it
was
> only supposed to be out of service for a day or two, a few weeks ago.
Did they offer a means to ship them the modem for the upgrade? that's teh
other alternative.
>
> I'm not asking anyone to break any laws, and you should be careful what
you
> insinuate. The tech support I've gotten to date, both on the telephone,
and
> via e-mail, has been abominable. Aside from getting one tech who told me
the
> correct muw for a courier was the older version still on the 3com site,
I've
> gotten no useful info from them.
My apologies. You should understand that I see many requests for upgrade
keys and upgrades for free. The usual explanations for wanting a free
upgrade are: unresponsiveness by USR, unhappiness over the $60 fee, and the
MUW doesn't work. It's made me quite cynical about anyone who asks for an
upgrade file.
>
> The tech who responded to my email didn't even read the question before
> answering. I'm posting here because I don't know what else to do, and I'm
> hoping someone can point me to a comptent support resource at USR, or some
> other means of acquiring the enable key (like an alternate dial-up # for
the
> update wizard, or a way to get the new wizard to download the key, even
> though it doesn't properly recognize my modem...)
>
The first response to email is usually canned; an automated AI response that
gets trigegred by finding keywords in your email. It's difficult to get a
human response through email though some say putting "0000" in the Subject
line does it. That's why a phone contact is best. And, since there's a toll
free number, it won't cost you anything more than time. If it was me, I'd
explain to the tech what I had tried and ask for an alternative method to
get that key (shipping back and forth) since the MUW doesn't seem to be
working properly.
Hooda
Thanks for you Consideration. :-)
Jack
>Don't change the subject.....Just stop calling everyone a thief who asks for
>the upgrade.
>
>Thanks for you Consideration. :-)
>Jack
***********
I don't see where Hooda called anyone a thief, but perhaps his
statement should just say "there is a fee of $60.00 for a Courier
upgrade from USR. and Courier's have a toll free assistance line".
that might look a little more professonal.
Denny.
Stuff it, Jack. Take your mindless crankiness somewhere elese.
Come back when you actually have something of value to offer.
Hooda
Thanks for the (nice) reply.
Jack
"Denny Salatino" <salat...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ac0cd49...@news.cis.dfn.de...
You know, when they repeat your complaints. That's when I start wondering
about their ethics.
Hooda
"Jack" <jack...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Qt5w6.375$fy3.1...@e3500-chi1.usenetserver.com...
>Yes that might look better. Good idea Denny. If you go back in time to
>Hooda's posts you will see that he calls almost everyone who ask's for this
>upgrade a Thief... He doesn't say the word put you know what is insinuating
>almost every time.
>
>Thanks for the (nice) reply.
>Jack
***********
Well Jack, I must admit about 90% of those request's I read are
looking for a "free hack" up to V.90. for a Courier.
I even asked for it and got one from Germany.
But I have never used it because it's too darn confusing and risky.
I am sure Hooda didn't directly outright call anyone a thief though.
I've never seen it that way.
Denny.
The techs told me over the phone ( when I successfully navigated the phone
tree to end up with someone who claimed to be able to answer Courier
questions...) the only remains means of obtaining the update was the dial-up
wizard.
As to e-mail, yah, I know you get an automated response before you get a
human response (if you're lucky enough to GET a human response...) I did,
and I enclose below. As I said before, the tech didn't even read the e-mail
before answering. I sent a fax, and am awaiting an answer. I'd be happy to
pay, if I could get the stupid file.
From USR:
-------------------------------------------
Re: Email ID 2099516
Dear Vincent Reed :
Thank you for choosing U.S.Robotics. At U.S.Robotics, customer
satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us.
You may check to see if your Sportster modem has the latest firmware by
running the U.S. Robotics internet update wizard program. You may
download either a PC or a Macintosh version of this program from the
following site: http://modemupdate.usr.com/infinity/muw.html.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to assist you. Should you
require further assistance with your
U.S.Robotics, please feel free to send another message. Your comments
and suggestions are welcome. We love to hear from our customers!
Again, thank you for choosing U.S.Robotics.
Sincerely,
Hieng
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Orignal Message xxxxxxxxxxx
Email a Technician: U.S. Robotics User Response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Date Submitted: 3/21/2001 7:04:10 PM
Name: Vincent L. Reed
OS: Windows
OS Version:
Description of Issue: I want to upgrade a 20.16Mhz, VFC courier
purchased in ''97
to v90. I have the appropriate modem update wizard (v1.29 correctly
detects the
modem as upgradeable.), but don''t have either a correct phone number
for dialup
connections, or the DMF file that will enable x2/v90.
The phone number in the wizard, 847-545-0839, is disconnected.
I''ve gone around on the telephone with tech support several times,
reaching
techs of varying competence levels, without getting the problem
resolved. All
were trying to get a new phone number for me to dial.
If instead I can be e-mailed a dmf file containing the feature enable
key, I
can complete the upgrade.
Thanks in advance,
-Vincent L. Reed
"Hooda Gest" <Be@One_WithDotCom> wrote in message
news:99q5u3$mu$1...@slb1.atl.mindspring.net...
Yes, a 20MHz Courier is upgradeable to x2/V.90 but isn't upgradeable to
V.92. Maybe that's what the new version is trying to do, upgrade folks to
V.92. In which case, it won't help us.
But doublecheck the modem with ati7 just to make sure V.90 and x2 is not
already there.
>
> The techs told me over the phone ( when I successfully navigated the phone
> tree to end up with someone who claimed to be able to answer Courier
> questions...) the only remains means of obtaining the update was the
dial-up
> wizard.
And that's not working. USR is not living up to its old reputation for
support. You would think they'd like the $60 upgrades to work...
>
> As to e-mail, yah, I know you get an automated response before you get a
> human response (if you're lucky enough to GET a human response...) I did,
> and I enclose below. As I said before, the tech didn't even read the
e-mail
> before answering. I sent a fax, and am awaiting an answer. I'd be happy to
> pay, if I could get the stupid file.
>
> From USR:
> -------------------------------------------
> Re: Email ID 2099516
>
> Dear Vincent Reed :
>
>
> Thank you for choosing U.S.Robotics. At U.S.Robotics, customer
> satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us.
>
> You may check to see if your Sportster modem has the latest firmware by
> running the U.S. Robotics internet update wizard program. You may
Right here is the obvious clue that this is a canned message. You write
about a Courier, it responds about a Sportster. Did you get siomilar
remarks when you called the toll free line?
The Courier can be updated by simply running the proper SDL file. But the
key can't be installed that way, it must be done through the MUW. The key is
what activates the new features. The firmware can be found at:
http://www.usr.com/support/drivers-template.asp?prod=s-cour
The "key" is still an issue. I take it you've tried the voice line for
support?
Courier (Analog and ISDN) Modems
Customer Service numbers:
Phone: (888) 326-6099
Fax: (801) 907-3801
Hooda
Firmware is already v90 capable. Tried the phone. That's how I learned v1.29
of the update wizard is what I needed.
v2.04 predates the v.92 patch, so I can't guess why it won't recognize the
modem as updatable.
A shame, really. I see this type of support failure all the time with big
companies (ever try to get a broadband connection problem corrected?), but
usually I'm able to resolve it. At this point, I'm ready to buy something
else.
No way will I spend that much again though( for something like a modem),
given that I paid that amount because of the available support.
"Hooda Gest" <Be@One_WithDotCom> wrote in message
news:99spl3$a1$1...@slb1.atl.mindspring.net...
: Actually, if you "go back in time", you will find that I haven't done what
: Hooda
: > >
: >
: >
: >
Gentlemen,
I actually spoke with USR support on 3/23/01 (Last Friday). The tech
support rep was very honest with me. He stated the following...
1. The current Modem Update Wizard will not work on Win 2000 or ME.
2. The current MUW only works intermittently due to several issues
with the website.
3. USR in in a state on transition and they are working to correct
these issues asap.
4. Many of the Old $60.00 firmware upgrades are now free. I was able
to upgrade my sp1336 to v.90 for free on 3/23/01.
**Note** Watch where the MUW tries to get your firmware by looking at
the address bar of your browser. Then ftp direct to the site and get
your firmware....
"People will always be People"
--
Joel R Wright
j...@world.std.com
Douglas, Massachusetts
There are AI (artificial intelligence) systems which appear to be human but
aren't. So far as I know, these can be "signed".
>
> Firmware is already v90 capable. Tried the phone. That's how I learned
v1.29
> of the update wizard is what I needed.
I really doubt this but I haven't tested it with my Courier.
>
> v2.04 predates the v.92 patch, so I can't guess why it won't recognize the
> modem as updatable.
Exactly, it should recognize it as upgradeable because the MUW simply checks
the modem model and then checks for newer firmware. I just ran it on my
Winmodem (5683-01) and it worked fine and told me that it is running the
latest firmware. I just wrote myself a note to check the Courier this
evening.
>
> A shame, really. I see this type of support failure all the time with big
> companies (ever try to get a broadband connection problem corrected?), but
> usually I'm able to resolve it. At this point, I'm ready to buy something
> else.
I can't blame you. I am real disappointed in USR, they had a chance to
reclaim their good name but they seem to be dropping the ball.
>
> No way will I spend that much again though( for something like a modem),
> given that I paid that amount because of the available support.
I agree. Too many other modems that will do the job for less and have the
same (poor) support.
Hooda
I no longer doubt this. I tested it against my Courier and against my
Sportster. In both cases, the MUW 2.04 failed to find an "upgradeable"
modem.
Time to send a nastygram to USR...
Hooda