Earthlink DSL - $40/month and free self-install kit

[DaNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fiannah:
The disadvantage to that DSL self instal is that the modem runs off of your USB port, draining resources from your computer whereas the external modem doesnt drain from your computer at all. I dont know if there is a difference in speed between the self instal or the one they instal but it is about $10 cheaper a month to have the self instal. Pacbell is running a simuliar special and they assured me i would have DSL within 5-10 days of ordering it. I havent done it yet but will probably by Tuesday next week. Just want to check on cable modem prices/availablity in my area (moving on friday).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

thats not always true; i got my dsl thru self-install, and it was an external modem. I get my dsl from a isp that goes thru gte.

[Realrammstein]

But is the external modem attached to your USB port?

[BruinChiq]

I'm not sure if this is a deal for any of you out there, but I thought I'd share the postcard I got in the mail:

Just call 1-888-EARTHLINK ext. 4DSL
promo code: DMPC20014

You get:

-Free Self-Installation Kit (nice not to have to wait for 6-8 for installation), DSL Modem & Software

-DSL Service for $39.95/month (need a 6 mnth contract) instead of $50/mnth

It expires on Nov. 30, 2000


This was the perfect solution for me...as I NEED DSL service before school starts, and everyone I called estimated it would be 8 weeks before installation!

[Aristo]

I've heard a lot of terrible complaints about Earthlink. 6 months contract sounds good. I guess if you only use it a short period of time, it doesn't matter as much. <shrug>

[krayzieE24]

what bad things did you hear about earthlink? i am thinking about going with them because of the self install as well...but if they have bad connection, i wont do it...

[asian_panda]

i thought i saw before that there was one for about $30/month for earthlink in this board? with some other promotion of course.

[Realrammstein]

Is that for line as well as ISP? I know a friend of mine got the Earthlink DSL(I picked up PCMAGIC). He had a lot of trouble when his service became interrupted...and Earthlink CS was horrible about getting him back up(took like a month for them to send a guy out). They go through some sort of protocal system(even if they know the problem isn;t going to be solved by steps 1-5...they still perform them).

[pennypinch]

Just did a search for "earthlink" on this board, and came up with www.freedsl.com (http://www.freedsl.com) What was the problem with these guys, again? They're prices are way low, and, well, I don't see why one wouldn't go with them, even if they charge you for the modem!

[Newbiee]

that same promo as shown above goes for snet dsl net

[Fiannah]

The disadvantage to that DSL self instal is that the modem runs off of your USB port, draining resources from your computer whereas the external modem doesnt drain from your computer at all. I dont know if there is a difference in speed between the self instal or the one they instal but it is about $10 cheaper a month to have the self instal. Pacbell is running a simuliar special and they assured me i would have DSL within 5-10 days of ordering it. I havent done it yet but will probably by Tuesday next week. Just want to check on cable modem prices/availablity in my area (moving on friday).

[lmhuang]

No. The external modem is connected to a NIC in your pc.

[Aristo]

If you have an option on chooing the modem, "do not pick USB modem". You can check out the reviews of Earthlink at www.dslreports.com (http://www.dslreports.com)

[BruinChiq]

Sadly...I have no choice and have to go for this option solely on the self-install. Otherwise, we won't have internet service for 2 months...and 50 people will have my head http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/wink.gif

[godotty]

For those of you that like power and consistency, try DSL Northwest. I just ordered service from them for $59/mo (not cheap, I know) but with 784/392 SDSL. No installation charges right now, and if you have an old DSL modem, you can trade it in and get a new one for free! By the way, if anyone's used this before and thinks the service sucks, let me know. I haven't actually received service yet.
http://www.dslnorthwest.net/

[ken]

Don't bother with comparing dsl service, they all suck. You can check out the reviews, do you research, etc., and you'll come up with the answer that every single provider has a good number of people who have had major problems.

Just go with the cheapest, and go with the flow. e.g. "my install date is next month, okay." "hey, the guy didn't show for my install, oh well, reschedule" "dsl down 5th day in a row, hook up the modem" et cetera.

If you expect good service, go with an established cable provider - which have their own problems, but not as bad as dsl. Or just stick with a modem.

[wein]

I got Earthlink postcard today with promotional code.
The package includes $39.95 per month with free self-installation kit delivered within 15 days for free.
I just ordered the service.
CSR said that the modem is NIC, not USB.
However, they don't give out the networkcard so I'll have to get one myself.
The contract is 6 month and I can cancel the service and keep the modem.
I think it is fine deal since I don't have to wait for 8 weeks to get service and that stupid covad $198 dsl modem rebate.

[MaStAYoDA1]

I have to agree with Ken on getting a cable modem deal rather than a DSL one. Not that DSL is bad, its just the service is horrible right now because too many people are jumping on the DSL wagon early in the game so the companies can't keep up. I used to use Earthlink dialup, and I thought their service stunk, my 10 year old brother could even walk somebody through a sheet of instructions.

Local Cable Modem service = reliability, cheap price for fast speeds, and better tech support (for the most part)

[Fiannah]

Actually Pacbell in So. Cal has the same offer (DSL self instal $39.99mo) only when I tried to order it they said it wouldnt be till Oct. 16 before they could hook me up. Almost a month and a half... well i moved on to cable modem. They are hooking me up Sept 30 so either way i have to wait but with the cable my first month is free and I will have it 16 days faster.

[kusanagiz]

actually there are external cable modems w/ built-in nics that conect to your usb port