My internet went out today, right in the middle of pulling a report — and in the middle of TW’s conference call where she would be asked to look at things online and provide feedback. Bad, bad timing.
I did all of the things you’re supposed to do. Unplug, reset, reboot. No luck, so I called ATT and got the nice automated computer voice who asks you questions and does some “tests”. Then he tells you that you should reboot your computer and if there’s still a problem to call back. I find this nice automated computer voice person to be completely unhelpful and annoying.
But, I did what I was told – rebooted and called back. The nice automated computer voice person says “I see I was helping you troubleshoot a problem earlier, are you still having trouble?” My answer of “Why yes, yes I am.” seemed to confuse him and he had to clarify that my answer was “Yes.” and then told me an agent would be with me in eight minutes.
25 minutes later, a nice real human came on the line and asked me all the questions she should ask me and then “ran some tests” and then looked for any “outages in your area”. She said there were no outages in my area and decided that she would try to reboot my modem from there. She tried, it didn’t work. She could not control my modem and then asked an odd question, “You’re connecting to 2WireXXX” is that correct?” Huh. No, that’s not correct. My modem connection is 2Wire 824 not 2Wire XXX. She seemed confused by this, too.
I suggested that maybe when the uverse guy came out before, and brought us a new modem, that somehow they still had the old modem number on file? Or umm something. She said maybe, and then tried to find 2Wire824 and make that modem reboot. She was not successful and started to tell me she would send a technician out to bring me a new modem.
I told her I actually have another modem that the technician left me the last time he was here — just in case. At first, she refused to attempt to assist me with this new modem because of the type of “plan” that I have. I argued and said, “If it’s just a modem, why do I need a technician? I just plug in the power cord and the internet cable and you tell my system to look for the new SSID etc.” She relented.
I hooked up the new modem, the same lights came on that were on the old one. She tried to speak to this new modem … and failed.
At which point, she set me up with a technician who is coming tomorrow between 1pm-5pm. Happy day off to me, right? Gah.
So, I turned on my iPhone’s HotSpot and TW and I fought over that connection for several hours. It was slow but it worked (mostly) and it was fine.
Late in the afternoon, Jenn called. While I was chatting with her, I decided to reboot my iPhone after we got off the phone because everything was getting really slow. I turned it off, walked away to nuke some coffee, came back to my desk and started working.
Notice what I said there… I started working. Without turning my iPhone back on.
My uverse was back on! But here’s the really weird thing, I am connected to 2Wire824, my original connection — but the modem that is plugged in is 2Wire261! I didn’t change the Wireless Network Key, either.
How the hell does that work? I’m connected to the internet via a modem that is not plugged in at all?
MomofAli said @melisalw’s dad heard from ATT that there was a system-wide outage earlier today. Huh. I wonder why the tech I talked to didn’t know that? I also wonder whether I should cancel my technician visit tomorrow or keep the appointment so that he can explain why I’m connected to the internet via a modem that isn’t even plugged in.
There’s a ghost in my machine, isn’t there?
It might be the ghost of Christmas Technology going into the past, present, and future. I have had many issues and now have a go to guy who gave me a direct line to his work phone. I wish all agents were that helpful!
Wow, weird! I’m glad you are connected, however mysteriously!