DSL - It ain't cable

Worse than cable but better than I feared. I've never tried DSL before so didn't know what to expect.

I tried NETGEAR DGN2200-100NAS modem/wifi router but it would not hold a DSL connection for more than a few minutes, so back to Best Buy for a refund for 100 bucks. There may have been a setting that would have fixed it but the manual setup page was so buggy I could never finish a manual setup. It kept insisting I had no internet and therefore it could not display the "page". I tried Netgear support and the only words I could make out were that CenturyLink needed to "refresh" my line. When in doubt blame the other vendor.

Something I though of after returning is I may not have networked the computer to a network slot on the Netgear and I may have only tried the uplink (or whatever we call it) slot. This may have enabled me to run the manual setup successfully. Oh well, too late now. I wish it had worked because it had some nice features. I was short of time and couldn't fool around.

Next I tried Actiontec GT701D and it works fine for half the price. Wow, I could even access the setup page and use it! Yes it is modem only. Works fine meaning I can get close to 10MB down and .7 to .9 up but the speed varies. 7.9MB down is common but it is still early and my phone line from the pedestal runs across the top of the snow if that makes any difference. At least it works and the speed is not as miserable as I had feared it would be. Maybe some tweaking will improve the speeds. It will have to wait until spring because I'm out of here, Florida, sunshine and Comcast.

CenturyLink support, while I was struggling with the original Netgear, was basically useless with the Netgear troubleshooting but I expected to be on my own. At least I could understand their version of the English language.

Actiontec Model GT701D
Just plug in PC. type in IP and set it up.
default
user=admin
password=password
192.168.0.1

3.0.4.1.1 current firmware
888.436.0657
support email only outside warranty

In quick setup choose the third setting RFC1483 via DHCP
adsl settings
llc- based multiplex
vpi 8
vci 35
ADSL2 plus
UBR

This modem performs well but even though I get 7 to8 MB down I can not run Netflix on best setting and even on better I will eventually get sound problems and need to pause and let it catch up. I installed a GB switch between modem and router/cables to cable Netflix directly without going through router and it helped. I previously could only have video on good setting. Now even at better the pausing requires a shorter time than previously. Picture is never a problem even on best, only the sound.

I seem to receive varied speed. I will hit valleys and that is when I get the sound problems but this will happen once at least with every item I watch.

I would advise just using this modem only solution and attach another router. Reviews on DSL modem/router combination are not great and it is more fun to just replace a $39 modem than the more expensive units that really are not all that great in the router function. Other brands are out there that have modem only construction, Trendnet for one.

On the other hand I wonder if a different modem would keep me from having the dips in speed and I would like a backup modem. Unlike cable modems, DSL modems can be impossible to find if not in major cities. You could be down for a few days waiting for a replacement. I just ordered the Netgear DGND3300 but as a refurb for $44 on ebay. It is wireless N dual band which I don't care if that part works or not. Just give me stable, consistent bandwidth.

RAM Memory Checker

RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

If you need a quick analysis of your PC for compatible RAM specs. and slot layout click the link above, download and run the system scanner. Before you buy it would be a good idea to remove the physical cover and pull a RAM stick to verify.

Disappearing DVD Drive in Windows 7

After a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate on my Gateway P-7811FX notebook, my DVD-RW drive was recognizable in Windows until after a long sleep session. Upon awakening the notebook, the drive was gone. A quick sleep/wake cycle did not have this problem but overnight would knock out the drive until reboot. Microsoft's registry fix or deleting a lower filter entry did not apply to this situation. There was no lower filter entry. I reinstalled several chip set drivers and nothing helped.

Then I installed the Intel Matrix Storage Manager. Happily I have now made it through one overnight sleep cycle and my DVD drive is visible. I thought Matrix was only for RAID and don't remember it being installed on the factory setup.

Bottom line is Intel Matrix Storage Manager is one possible solution for disappearing dvd cd drives in Windows 7.