THE CHARCOAL EXPRESS

I’ve called technical support and they gave me steps in fixing the problem.  Unfortunately, it did not work.  Let me share to you what has been done and ignore the side comments – these were just my thoughts during the time I was assisted.  Believe me, I kept my mouth shut and controlled to avoid saying anything offensive.  I’m so bad, am I not?

Problem:  Limited or No Connectivity on the LAN connection

Description:  The computer does not acquire a valid IP address from the broadband line upon boot-up.  Renewing the IP addresses through the command prompt and Windows utility fail.

Solution provided by the techsupport:

1. Restart the computer.  (Duh, did this a million times)
2. Unplug the power adapter of the broadband line.  (Mine is Motorola.  But duh, again, did this gazillion times.)
3. Check the physical address of the computer.  (Okay, you asked for it so I gave it.  But what’s that for? Are you verifying if it’s registered on your end or something? You need to tell me.)
4. Type netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt on the command prompt.  (Nice, that’s new to me.  I was told this command is supposed to reset the IP address.  After I entered the command, I got the LAN status connected but the IP address is still invalid. Got more ideas?) 
5. File a report number and forward the case to the onsite technicians.  (Uh-oh, so that means no internet access for a couple of days.)

NOTES:

• Smart Bro wireless base stations do not allow static IP address assigned on the computers.  According to the agent, all IP addresses coming from the base station should be and always be automatically acquired by the client computers.
• The netsh int ip reset [log_file_name] is a NetShell utility that resets the TCP/IP stack to restore it to its state that existed when the operating system was installed.  See Microsoft’s Knowledge Base Article 299357 for more details. 

This should have been my piece before ending the call.  Imagine me in a very irate mode saying: 

“Okay, you’re running out of solutions now, aren’t you? So you’re telling me that I have to wait for your technicians after two days before I can get my internet access back? Don’t you know that my life depends on the internet? And don’t you know that the only reason why I availed your service is because I have no other choice? If I’m smart enough and I consider the hearsays and negative feedbacks that I’m getting about your service then I could have chosen other providers so I would have not called you guys and dealt with all the inconveniences but see, I don’t have any choice.  I just don’t!!!  (Paused)  Okay, I’ll wait for them on Sunday.  (Smiling)”

 Bad caller!!!