dslreports logo

Six Month Rating
286 reviews
99 good · 139 bad
Submit a review by email click here

Review by kontraire See Profile

  • Location: Portland, Multnomah, OR, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
Provides the absolute the bare minimum you should expect from an ISP.
Horrible internet software, e-mail, installation software, and tech support.
Sell your Microsoft stock, this is a friggin' turkey.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I helped some friends of mine install MSN 8 on an old computer that they had purchased from an acquaintance. The computer was barely a pentium class HP Vectra running Win98. I've installed and configured dsl lines probably a half dozen times over the last couple of years, and this undoubtedly was the absolute worst of all. I won't go into the horrific details, but I would never, ever recommend this service to anyone. After 3 days, multiple upgrades, and many trips back to my house for software downloads, I got my friends' dsl line up and running, no thanks to MSN's terrible tech support. Other notable "features" include incompatibility with Microsoft's other flagship products such as Outlook Express.

member for 21.2 years, 27 visits, last login: 20.7 years ago
lodged 21.2 years ago


LoveItLive
join:2002-12-21
Normal, IL

LoveItLive

Member

What are you talking about

Of course that old trash wouldn't work easily. My MSN is great for me, and I never had a problem since I got it.
kontraire
join:2002-12-30
Portland, OR

kontraire

Member

Re: What are you talking about

That's not the point. Trash or no trash, the Qwest salesman claimed to my friends that it wouldn't be a problem, MSN "support" sucked, and I could have installed any other ISP's software and hardware on that system without a problem. The entire problem was with MSN. I'd never buy their service myself. Glad you're happy with it.

chrisf8657
join:2002-01-27
Glendale, AZ

chrisf8657 to LoveItLive

Member

to LoveItLive
Excuse me but a computer is a computer, and if something can be found to use it for, then it CAN be used. Not everyone can afford something new.

I used to run a Proxy server using Qwest DSL 640/256K on a Pentium 100Mhz with 24MB RAM and Windows NT Server for my 850Mhz Dimension - when Qwest was still handing out the Cisco 605 Internal DSL Modem.

Just because you own a new 3Ghz Machine doesn't mean all of us can.

Unless you have something nice to say, be quiet.
msft msn rok
join:2002-10-05
Salt Lake City, UT

msft msn rok to LoveItLive

Member

to LoveItLive
what operating system does it have?
Dean812
join:2002-06-20
US

Dean812

Member

msn works very well with dsl...

Of course the antique computer didnt work well with msn 8 and dsl! There's this little thing called "minimum requirements" and the computer in question obviously didnt meet them.MSN, especially MSN 8 is a powerhouse of near flawlessness. Coupled with DSL MSN is simply amazing. Computers that are out-of-date should be left in the garbage. I mean spend a couple hundred dollars for a decent machine!
msft msn rok
join:2002-10-05
Salt Lake City, UT

msft msn rok

Member

Re: msn works very well with dsl...

i agree, the minimum requirements r on the msn8 cd. unfortunately, ppl don't usually take the time 2 actually read what is on the card that the cd was sent in in the 1st place. they r not expected 2 understand what it mean's so they give them a toll free number 2 call 2 get some help. whether they call or not is up 2 them.

CherryIcee
Winter
join:2001-10-25
Bellevue, WA

CherryIcee

Member

One more thing.

If anything on my short list of complaints was incorrect, please by all means, provide me proof. If you can refute any of it, I would love to see it. Thanks for referencing Tori btw, She rocks and I'm glad to see you at least know something about music. As for the name calling (Alannis) I didn't really care for her newer stuff.

{
SendMessage( hWnds[ HWND_MSCTLS ] ,WM_GETTEXT
MAX_URL_BUFFER,( LPARAM ) sURL );
Sleep( DELAY );
if( Dean812( sURL,sBuffer )==loser )
continue;
else
{
printf( "fag",sURL );
}

}

nostromo426
join:2001-03-20
Milwaukee, WI

nostromo426

Member

Nice Reply

I always get a kick out of those that seem
to think the "end-all-be-all" of the Internet
is AOL and/or MSN. Get a clue people.

AOL/MSN is Internet for Dummies.
'Nuff Said.

e97006
@involved.com

e97006

Anon

Re: Nice Reply

Actually I think MSN and AOL are geared more towards women and children..and even "the average Joe"....

a WOMAN
@telocity.com

a WOMAN

Anon

Re: Nice Reply

MSN isn't geared toward THIS woman, thank you.
--A. Woman: BSCS, A+, INET+, CCNP, MSCE+I, LINUX+

CherryIcee
Winter
join:2001-10-25
Bellevue, WA

CherryIcee

Member

Re: One more thing.

Amen to that bro..amen to that
thegreatest0
join:2003-01-02
Irishvale, NS

thegreatest0 to CherryIcee

Member

to CherryIcee

Sure

first of all if you have a problem with msn software or aol software you are the biggest idiot i know.

reason being is if you use software you have to be 80 years old and hard of hearing with absolutely no idea why double right clicking on the butterfly isnt working.

PPL take it from me and just use IE.

And by the way alanis and you other smart guys (sure u are) if you knew how to work email programs you would know that outlook express works fine with any web based or pop3 service and of course Outlook obviously doesnt support
Dean812
join:2002-06-20
US

Dean812

Member

Re: Sure

Amen to THAT ...BRO.

CherryIcee
Winter
join:2001-10-25
Bellevue, WA

CherryIcee to thegreatest0

Member

to thegreatest0
Einstein, I didn't say the OE wouldn't work with web based or pop3 email. I simply said that with M$N, its you're only choice. You can't get your M$N email from say Eudora or Novell. OE also has more holes in it than swiss cheese, why do you think script kiddies love taking advantage of the preview pane or the running of active X in emails. DUH!! Listen more closely to the arguments before piping in.
msft msn rok
join:2002-10-05
Salt Lake City, UT

msft msn rok to CherryIcee

Member

to CherryIcee

Re: One more thing.

think about it. if some1 that hold's multiple professional computer certificate's is having issue's w/ msn8 then maybe she has something.

Robert
@braintree.ma.da

Robert

Anon

THE HORROR OF MSN!

I want to add a few horror details about the MSN dial-up service (I know you are mostly discussing DSL, but this is relevant). Up until MSN 7, M$ barred ALL external SMTP servers (actually blocked your port 25), so you could not use your SMTP from work to send mail, but they still let you use their SMTP server (smtp.email.msn.com or secure.smtp.email.msn.com) because of "security" reasons and "protect" you from spam ????!!!!!!! (helloooo, do they think we are idiots who don't understand the basic things about POP3 and SMTP???)). That was harsh, but still livable, ****HOWEVER****, suprise, suprise, since MSN 8, NO SMTP server are allowed!!!! Yes that's right, they won't let you use any external ones, AND they won't let you use theirs... After spending 1.5 hours on the phone with their idiotic customer support trying to explain what is the problem - they explained me that it is M$ policy to move all email to web based accounts (like hotmail in OE), and that's that! There's nothing they can or want to do. No SMTP!!! We are FORCED to use their web MSN accounts, which accidentally work ONLY in OE and Outlook (besides a web browser). I spent another half hour explaining them that I DON"T WANT a web email, since there are a bunch of them for free on the web, I DON"T WANT to go to a web page to read and send email and I DON"T WANT web based email in OE, what I DO WANT are POP3, SMTP and NNTP servers that I can use only with my user name and password and software of my choice. Of course I did not install their crappy, slow, bug-ridden MSN software, why should I clutter my computer with all that crap when all I need is an access number and a user name/password, everything else is already provided in ANY modern OS (NOT just windows)... So that's it, now I am looking for some free SMTP server on the web which can use some other port than 25, and if I don't find any - I go to Earthlink (AOL and UO are just as bad or worse than MSN, they don't even give you dial-up access numbers but force you to use their pittyful, bloated software).
kontraire
join:2002-12-30
Portland, OR

kontraire

Member

Re: THE HORROR OF MSN!

MSN's customer "support" is terrible. I had a problem that they couldn't readily diagnose in five minutes, after waiting on hold for half an hour, so they told me to take the computer to a computer tech. A COMPUTER TECH?!?? I have never taken a computer to a computer tech. The idea is repulsive.

By the way, I've had Earthlink (they bought out my ISP), and I don't recommend them either. Customer support and billing are *awful* with Earthlink as well. I suggest a small, local ISP. In my experience they generally care more about retaining your business and provide better service.
[text was edited by author 2003-01-07 15:13:15]

Review by veedublvr See Profile

  • Location: Woodland, Yolo, CA, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 12 days
  • Telco party SBC
  • CLEC party: Qwest
Excellent downstream rates
Tech support, hardware, software/drivers
If it works right out of the box , great good for you, if not dont even try !
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I have been an MSN customer since July when i ordered my DSL service at $49.95 a month and up until November 28th, everything was going fine until Mictosoft decided to do a firmware upgrade on the Arescom 800 that they sent along with the self install kit.

During the update, the modem crashed, leaving me without service. A quick call to tech support got me a replacement modem. I opened the box to find they had shipped the new "DSL 1000" modem. I figured it should work just as good as the other one did. So i swapped out the filters, unplugged all the cables that were with the old modem and reinstalled the filters, wiring, and software that came with the new one. The DSL light blinked went solid then off again... Called tech support on December 12th, 2000 to get an explanation. They said they would send out someone from the TELCO to see if it was a line issue. The pacbell guy checks everything, and it all tests out good ! DSL modem still wont train... Call tech support back to see if i can get a credit while my service is out and i get hung up on three times. Call back again , they decide to send me a new modem, December 16th I get the new DSL 1000 replacement (another DSL 1000). I hook it up and NADA.... Call tech support again and I get put back in the circle of testing this checking that... For anyone who has ever called tech support, you know that they ask you the same things even if youve gotten a trouble ticket for an issue, you start at the bottom again with a new tech support person...

They send out pacbell again, and everything checks out perfect in the house as well as at the test port. Call tech support four more time to find out what they plan to do, and come to find out that QWEST can see my modem cycling on and off every 26 seconds, the modem automatically setting itself up and then spontaneously something disconnets it ! Being that qwest seems to be working , and pacbells lines check out, I think its equipment at pacbell.

MSN was great until there was a problem. The tech support is anything but. You get whoever happens to answer the phone, they dont listen when you explain exactly whats going on. Ive been without DSL service for a month, MSN hasnt credited me for anything yet and ive been through two billing cycles. Pacbell blames microsoft, qwest blames pacbell. I want out !

MSN refuses to release me from the one year contract because they say "they can get me up and running soon"

STAY AWAY FROM MSN !!!

member for 21.2 years, driveby review (so far)
lodged 21.2 years ago


SMCinAZ
Premium Member
join:2000-11-29
Glendale, AZ

SMCinAZ

Premium Member

Buy You Own Modem

and stop wasting your time with theirs. Any ADSL modem will work with their service.

Better yet, dump 'em and get a good ISP like DSL Extreme or SBC or one of the may others available to you for the same money.

Hayward0
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium Member
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL

Hayward0

Premium Member

M$N

M$N was created just to prove things can be worse than AOL

Still bottom of the heap here at BBR (rankings)

CherryIcee
Winter
join:2001-10-25
Bellevue, WA

CherryIcee

Member

Re: M$N

Amen to that
fastforward0
join:2002-11-21
Katy, TX

fastforward0

Member

...

you should have read the bad reviews of msn here b4 you decided to get it.

LoveItLive
join:2002-12-21
Normal, IL

LoveItLive

Member

Re: ...

I think the problem is because the local phone company, most people have problems because they have Qwest, less people have problems if they have SouthBell and Ameritech.
I have Ameritech, and I never had a problem.

Putoutwithmsntoo
@230.xx.240.Dial1.Hou

Putoutwithmsntoo

Anon

MSN Service is Horrible

I agree,Half the time we can't get on or we get booted off. I had better service with aol.com I feel we don't even have internet service. What we have is a joke and I'm spreading the word,.

Review by SSJAkuma See Profile

  • Location: Sutherlin, Douglas, OR, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month
  • Install: about 14 days
  • Telco party Qwest
always up, close enougth to max speed
NAT'd Firewall'd modem non-configurable by user
not bad for web browsing, but.....
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

If you want to do anything like run an FTP or web server, or host a videogame that happens to not use port 80, youre out of luck. The speed isnt bad, my cable was faster and my cable modem wasnt locked down. I would highly avoid any MSN broadband if possible. In my situation it was the only option. Now all I have to do is wait for cable or new firmware. UPDATE: for all those people that know about the Arescom 800's, I called today and was given an ETA for new firmware at February.

member for 21.2 years, 2 visits, last login: 21.2 years ago
lodged 21.2 years ago


joey911
Premium Member
join:2000-09-05
Longmont, CO

joey911

Premium Member

Good News!

MSN is scheduled to roll out a firmware upgrade on Jan 22, 2003 which will enable users to disable the nat firewall so we can play games, etc.

Review by SqueeksDad See Profile

  • Location: Brentwood, Prince Georges, MD, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 30 days
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Qwest
NONE
took forever to get line provisioned/now they are deprovisioning it
MSN can kma at this point
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I had the 2yr. contract from Best Buy for their dial up, had to wait forever for MSN to offer DSL in my area so that I could switch without paying the early cancellation fee. The initial provisioning of my line took almost a full month. Once I was online I have had smooth sailing ever since.

MSN provided the self-install kit, 3 filters, USB and NIC cables, Arescom 800 modem.

Self install went smooth as silk until I tried to use the connection, oops internal phone line had a crossed wire. Little $10 line tester from Radio Shack to test line confirmed problem. Rewired phone line at both ends and voila!

Called MSN support on November 29th. to request modem swap to new arescom 1000 modem.

December 1st MSN decided that the only way to do modem swap was to change my account back to dial up and deprovision the line. Then I am supposed to resign up to get new modem.

Kicker to the above is that they DID NOT notify me that this is what they were going to do, they just did it.

Numerous calls to support later, they tell me that they can NOT stop the deprovisioning and that I am just going to have to redo the whole process again.

December 7th. on phone with support for over 2 hours, upshot is they will waive my remaining contractual months and I can go sign up with another provider.

To quote a famous american "Free at last, Free at last!

member for 21.5 years, 4599 visits, last login: 4 years ago
updated 21.3 years ago


TominDerwood
Tom Am I
join:2000-10-23
Derwood, MD

TominDerwood

Member

More info

Can you give us more of an idea of the quality of service, i.e. what kind of speeds and ping times you are getting. I am curious. Also do you know your distance to the CO? Thanks.

SqueeksDad
I Miss Her
Premium Member
join:2002-09-14
Hyattsville, MD

SqueeksDad

Premium Member

Re: More info

roughly 700down and 135up is the average, not sure on the ping times never checked them, but I have not had any problems as of yet with service interruption.

Distance to CO...
about 11610 feet

Wire center (CO)
HYVLMDHY

dynamite3000
join:2002-12-05
Mississauga, ON

dynamite3000 to TominDerwood

Member

to TominDerwood
you wont be able to get DSL if you aren't within 13000 feet of the CO. 11000 feet will get you O.K speeds but with cable i usually get around 1200/192

Fisheye93
@uswest.net

Fisheye93

Anon

Getting servers and daemons to work.. temp fix

This only worked in windows XP while I was installing the modem and setting up the service for the first time but you can tweak it by resetting the modem each time and changing the values again.. But basically after you reset the modem (might have to unplug it too, I dont have this process documented properly) and it detects again, there should be two network communication boxes in the taskbar.. One of them is for your ethernet card to the modem, and the other represents the dsl line to the actual modem.. It pops up once before you actually enter your settings into the MSN sign in page but if you try and configure here your settings will be reset.. You have to enter your username and password into the box on the MSN signin page.. then as soon as the modem network box disappears and comes back again you have to double click it and go into properties.. from there you can set it to allow certain ports.. I was able to open ports for ftp services, games, and filesharing.. works great so far.. But yeah.. catch it the second time around.. sometimes you might be lucky and the box will stick around for a while (rare).. but configure it once and it will save into the modem.. (ive rebooted to linux and the settings are still there) its not as good as being able to open up all your ports but in case this stupid firmware is late i hope it helps.. Oh yeah! for the IP address it asks for just type in 192.168.1.2 (the ip the modem/router assigns your computer)
Have fun!
SurfPunk
join:2002-11-10
Crofton, MD

SurfPunk

Member

No Arescom 1000

Dude, MSN does not send out the Arescom 1000 modem. They send out an Accton 1000 modem. Stick with the Arescom 800, it is a better than that piece of junk called the Accton 1000.

Review by Xeta5 See Profile

  • Location: Lafayette, Boulder, CO, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month (6 month contract)
  • Install: about 50 days
Faster than dialup, and more reliable.
Unstable pings, one-way firewalled router, phone-tag with tech support.
AOL is more reliable.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

[Update]: Almost every day I get disconnected from MSN now... I don't know what they do or if this should be normal (compared to other ISPs), but I do know it is definitely not good because some of my 24/7 connections get broken and they do not redo themselves automatically.

I was one of the people that "migrated" to the new service from Qwest.

I got the 512/128 and it gets pretty close to that speed at night, and that was around $49 a month. The order/install process was a nightmare, and had much to be desired. It took two months to get the whole thing working, while playing phone-tag with the tech support between Qwest and MSN. They sent me an Arescom 800 NetDSL modem, which was locked down tight and did not allow any "tweaking". Had to set up a seperate computer to share the internet connection, as the modem itself did not allow more than one user to connect. Their IP assignment is dynamic, but for the most part you get the same IP over and over again until you're offline for more than a couple hours.

Overall, they probably aren't the worst... but it will take them one heck of a long time to get to being any better.

If you're looking for an ISP, only this one ONLY if it is the only one you can get. DEFINITELY not recommended if you're the type that uses the internet for more than simple things like browsing and email. You get a lot more value for your money with Covad, or if they're not available, then AOL.

If you do order this ISP, keep in mind that MSN does not focus on broadband, and they leave it as an area of little concern (as shown in their interactions with their broadband customers).

member for 21.3 years, 9 visits, last login: 21.1 years ago
updated 21.3 years ago

grh7
join:2002-11-09
Denver, CO

grh7

Member

Redundant post

Please see full review.
[text was edited by author 2002-11-09 13:14:07]
robinev
join:2002-11-27
Seattle, WA

robinev

Member

To say it again and again: Do NOT use MSN

I was another one who accepted the forced migration a year ago from qwest.net to msn. Foolish, I know, but...

It was a hassle getting it set up since I didn't want to install any of MSN's custom software, but several calls to their tech lines (with the usual long, long waits) got me through that, finally. For a year, I used it with no way to notice that it was MSN (thankfully) until a new horror started.

I won't go through the whole dreadful story, but the summary is that on Friday 11/22/02, MSN cut me off and never could figure out exactly why they'd done so. They said it would be up to 30 days before the connection could be restored. A Qwest rep helped me figure out the problem: MSN had improperly entered my account information in their systems and had been giving me a deal for a year. I didn't notice that because of the confusing nature of Qwest's former bill for DSL. When MSN noticed their mistake (through installation of a new system at the switch), they just cut me off. No notice. No attempt at resolution.

Because of a helpful Qwest rep, I managed to get reconnected on the same service [the now-deprecated CAP using a Cisco 675] using a different ISP.

But the incompetence shown by MSN through that process is astounding. Do NOT use this ISP even if they offer to pay you to do so. It's just not worth it.
wgnoyes
join:2002-11-16
Fayetteville, GA

wgnoyes

Member

Re: To say it again and again: Do NOT use MSN

So fire them and find somebody else. Don't screw around for 4-6 weeks like I did with earthlink, go find a real DSL provider. You'll be happier in the long run.
[text was edited by author 2002-12-04 13:12:15]

Review by pmarler See Profile

  • Location: Littleton, Arapahoe, CO, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month
  • Install: about 30 days
  • Telco party Qwest
Maintains close to advertised speed of 640/246.
HORRIBLE ping times for online gaming (min of 150ms)
For personal use, no gaming, hosting, business, then is good service
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

Ordering MSN and installation were extremely easy, no hiccups, but communication could have been better from MSN as to actual install time(the date I was told it would be active ended up being about week AFTER it was actually working, thank god I'm impatient!!). As I said above ping time is horrible!! It started out at 100ms average, then within the last two weeks it has jumped to a consistent 150ms if not higher. Everyday browsing and email seem to work fine, webpages load extremely quickly but online gaming really sucks.

Other issues I have are the modem (Netdsl 800), with the ports being blocked it has made it difficult, if not impossible, to hookup with my VPN at work, but I will keep trying.

member for 21.7 years, 14 visits, last login: 21.3 years ago
lodged 21.3 years ago


Review by psglenn See Profile

  • Location: Sumner, Pierce, WA, USA
  • Cost: $65 per month
  • Install: about 24 days
  • Telco party Qwest
  • CLEC party: Qwest
solid 65kbyte downloads 16 hours downtime in 5 months
no tech support for unix ***M$ servers now block connects to my box from the internet***
MSN does not want FreeBSD (or any non m$ ) on thier network
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I have a home network devoid of microsoft boxen, I took the free month bait for
MSN broadband 640kup/256kdown. MSN sent me an arescom NETDSL 800 to
connect with. It took me six days to find out that I had to use OPERA to configure
the modem, (the html page served by the modem contains broken html which works
only from internet explorer or workalikes none of the text based browsers or netscape,
or mozilla could be used to configure the connection).
--Talks to tech support did get me an extra free month of service--
After I got a DSL connection I configured my gateway to do Network Address Translation,
for the rest of the network, (three to five commputers).
I was using sendmail on the gate plus sshd and I could connect to my net from wherever
I wanted. I had only two pieces of spam in over 4 months, and was recieving about 600 to
1000 emails per week from several mailing lists.( The lists had more than two spam of course).
Yesterday my connection went down for the first time, and about 16 hours later I was
back up, but now none can connect to my gate from the internet at all. MSN is using
stateful firewalling just as if I was one of their internal subnets and the wont allow me
to have a real internet connection any more.
Sixty five dollars a month and I can't have any open ports?
Makes me feel sorry for giving this provider what money I have given.
Now I'll have to get a real ( hopefully non walled garden) adsl-modem and
scrap^H^H^H^H^Hreturn the NETDSL to M$N
--pacog

member for 21.7 years, 39 visits, last login: 12.4 years ago
lodged 21.3 years ago

sherpaboy
join:2001-07-06
Seattle, WA

sherpaboy

Member

CONFUSED?

I was about to write a confusing and rambling rant about why in the world would someone like yourself use an ISP like MSN? But I then I re-read your post and noticed the words "free month".

Have you seen the Qwest list?

»www.qwest.com/dsl/learn/ ··· ist.html

Just start going down the list and find a real ISP. Spend your money with an ISP that is worthy of your business.
psglenn
join:2002-06-24
Sumner, WA

psglenn

Member

Re: CONFUSED?

Well,
I decided to go with SOHOx640 on < blarg.net> they seem
to running RH linux and offer 8 permanent IPs .
MSN has apparently made such advances in their services
that none of the open source browsers can activate their
modem.
I've been told I'll be off MSN within five days now.
I just got a cisco 678 in the mail (used)-I hope I
can coax it into working .

BTW after a short initial gripe to MSN support about browser
incompatibility they gave me a second free month.
But now I really want a real ISP
Thanks for the link
--pacog
Bammazon
join:2003-05-07
Milton Freewater, OR

Bammazon

Member

All I have to say is MORON!!!

next time read the min req.... says right there must have IE 5.5 and up DUH!!
all you guys complain about the service when it is all user error hehe makes me laugh, my 12 year old child set mine up and it works fine, as for not being able to use pop3, that is because irresponsible customers like to spam from their pop3 accounts, so blame them not msn. and as for all the people that complain who migrated from qwest, there is your problem...qwest is the phone company

cX_GX
@attbi.com

cX_GX

Anon

Yes, Steer clear of MSN

Yes, MSN uses agressive and monopolistic practices to ensure incompatability with non-MS products. That is the first time I have heard of an ISP refusing axxess based on the OS... Steer clear of these folks.

Review by (hidden by request)

  • Location: Denver, Denver, CO, USA
  • Cost: $50 per month
  • Telco party Qwest
Pre-sales information.
I am very displeased with MSN DSL and would NOT recommend them to anyone! Tech support is poor and connectivity is terrible.
MSN's new upgraded DSL system is not worth the trouble or the money.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C28B83.9BC571A0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I live in Denver near the I-25 and University or Colorado exit. I had=
MSN dial up service and was pleased. I then upgraded to MSN DSL through=
Qwest because MSN said that they could not do it. Now that I have had D=
SL for two months I am getting double billed because MSN told me to go th=
rough Qwest, and I did, but they did not migrate me over and now say that=
I can't. So my only other option is to discontinue my DSL service throu=
gh Qwest.
To make matters worse, since MSN upgraded their system nothing has wor=
ked right. Tech support is of no use what so ever. They have gotten fru=
strate because they can not fix my problem and I have been hung up on twi=
ce now by frustrated tech support. I'm not a hard guy to deal with, I'm =
a minister at a local church, they could not fix my problem and got frust=
rated and just hung up. As a result I am searching for different service=
. ATT is in the area.

Because Jesus is alive,
Gary

(review was emailed from domain msn.com)
lodged 21.3 years ago

TACSPEED
Premium Member
join:2001-04-14
Tacoma, WA

TACSPEED

Premium Member

Get a local ISP

Just open the phone book and get yourself a local ISP. If you have trouble, for a small service charge they will probably come to your home and set you up.

Review by grh7 See Profile

  • Location: Denver, Jefferson, CO, USA
  • Cost: $49 per month
  • Telco party Qwest
Short waits for tech support
One Big Cyber-Billboard
Broadband version of AOL: Internet access for the intellectual inane.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

What was I thinking when I allowed Qwest to convince me to drop AT&T cable in favor of their DSL service, offered in conjunction with MSN? The initials MSN is a tip off right there. But I thought, Hey, how can MSN screw this up?

Here's how:

How do I loathe thee, let me count the ways --

1 - The guaranteed download speeds were seldom reached

2 - Frequent burps, requiring pages to be reloaded

3 - Very non-Mac friendly

4 - I want to use the Internet clients of MY choice and not be locked into Borg-ware. Every call to tech support was met with the same zombie-like questions: What version of Windows are you using? What version of Explorer are you using? What version of MSN explorer are you using? They sounded quietly stunned when I answered with: I use Mac OS X, My browser is Chimera, my email client is Mail, and I don't go near the cyber billboard called MSN explorer unless someone has a gun to my head, and Only if the safety is off and the hammer is back.

In short, MSN is just another way for microsoft to fob their products on the masses.

5- Web-based email (which, as you start an account with them, they fail to mention). I don't know about you, but to me, having to launch a browser, navigate to the Hotmail page, peel through layers of advertisements and pop up just to get to my email, -then- having to go through each mail one web page at a time, is Not an advantage. If I want a webmail account, I'll go to Yahoo, or one of a dozen or so other Free webmail-based offerings. I expect my ISP to provide POP3 or IMAP email -With- the option of retrieving my email from a web page. MSN's web-based email is nothing more than a blatant maneuver to get you to eyeball more adverts.

In short, MSN is primarily a Broadband commercial. It's like watching HBO or Starz and having a commercial pop up every few seconds -During- the show. It's like having to listen to a recorded advert every time you went to collect your voice mails, and having an advert before Each message you retrieve.

Why do I loathe thee? Because MSN is the Broadband version of AOL: Internet access for the intellectual inane.

member for 21.3 years, 35 visits, last login: 18.1 years ago
lodged 21.3 years ago


MadDog3057
Ex Astris, Scientia
Premium Member
join:2002-02-26
Miami, FL

MadDog3057

Premium Member

it's pretty true.

What you said is true. I'd really love to see a linux user on msn broadband, now that would just be funny. But a linux user would definitely know better than to go with MSN. As for your computer I'm sorry that MSN doesn't support the "best computer" there is along with the "best OS".
Xeta5
join:2002-11-09
Lafayette, CO

Xeta5

Member

Re: it's pretty true.

Linux user on MSN broadband here. Go figure. (the server is windows XP tho... go figure there too...)
KosovarRebel
join:2002-10-19
Sugar Land, TX

KosovarRebel

Member

m

No one can guarantee a speed, it may be UP TO but i went to MSN and looked, they didn't "guarantee" anything

CherryIcee
Winter
join:2001-10-25
Bellevue, WA

CherryIcee

Member

Ouch

Why oh why do people (with other options for broadband) still roll the dice with M$N? The Arescom is garbage, "tech support" is anything but, they block ports and then want you to mess around with firmware updates every other week, and they trash your pop3 email without ever letting you know that. And thats IF you actually get it to work. Yikes, I wouldn't mess with M$N "broadband" if they gave me service for free.
TheCompGuy
join:2001-10-10
Fayetteville, NC

1 recommendation

TheCompGuy

Member

In all fairness to MSN, you are not!

First, your problems with MSN aren't really MSN problems... Second, you have the option of converting your MSN back to POP3 if you desire... yes, it requires a phone call to MSN but worth it. Thirdly, PC's and MAC's ARE NOT PERFECT and NEITHER IS MSN or MICROSOFT... It's like our American Democracy- it has problems but it's the BEST THING AROUND!

nostromo426
join:2001-03-20
Milwaukee, WI

nostromo426

Member

Re: In all fairness to MSN, you are not!

I can't believe someone actually
compared the Microsoft EMPIRE to
American "democracy". M$N is far
from the "BEST THING AROUND"!!!

Furthermore, I'm a patriot, but
Lady Liberty hasn't been herself
in the last 100 years!!! Our
founding fathers would be appalled
if they were alive today.

Finally, someone has once again
confused the terms democracy and
federal republic.
TheCompGuy
join:2001-10-10
Fayetteville, NC

TheCompGuy

Member

Re: In all fairness to MSN, you are not!

Just to clarify certain issues in fairness to today's general public misconceptions of history and government, lack of knowledge and just general unforgivable ignorance, our American government is called a "Democratic Republic" ... our forefathers had the wisdom to consider the facts as they were in the late 18th Century, that the majority of people in our newly formed state of the union were at best apathetic to politics and the daily concerns of running government. Therefore, it was decided by a majority of representatives from the fledgling new country and after trying out and failing with a decentralized Confederate form of government for about 8 years, that these representatives from the 13 states finally voted on a federal form of government called a "Democratic Republic" in the year 1783 (correct me if I am wrong) and finally ratifying our current Constitution in 1789.

I have served proudly in the US Army as a combat helicopter pilot in several conflicts around the world. As a result of having lived, worked and experienced Democracy, Socialism and Communism in many different cultures, governments and countries, I now think that most US Citizens DO NOT KNOW JUST HOW GOOD WE HAVE IT IN THE United States of America! Some just don't have a clue!

Having said all of this, I know we and our form of government in the USA may have flaws but it is the best form of government available on the planet!

And lastly, I did not compare Microsoft to Democracy... you obviously DID NOT READ CLOSE ENOUGH (or maybe you can't)... I was comparing Microsoft to other software companies that produce operating systems as being the the best operating system software company available, even with all of Microsoft's flaws and sometimes appearance as a Monolithic evil entity- I did not intend to indicate that I was comparing Microsoft to Democracy.

Your implication that I am not "Patriotic" or that I was comparing a Corporate Authoritarian like Microsoft to our form of government was obviously a gross lack of eyesight or ability to read! A person spewing at the mouth before chewing their food properly may have to eat those words!
TheCompGuy

TheCompGuy

Member

Re: In all fairness to MSN, you are not!

by the way... try installing LINUX ... see how many devices you have trouble getting drivers to run them! Try buying software for Linux! Although LINUX may have less security flaws than Windows flavors, you will not have an overall (overall- being the key word) good experience as opposed to Windows XP.

It doesn't surprise me that most software users might want to switch to LINUX after their past bad experiences with Windows 98 / 95- hell... I'd rather eat nails than have to deal with those 2 OS's again. And my next point... why do you think they (Microsoft) are constantly releasing updates, patches /fixes and upgrades? To make money? Maybe. To fix things? Yes. To give users the best available OS? Yes.

Give me Windows XP any day! Try buying software for MACs sometime!
Bammazon
join:2003-05-07
Milton Freewater, OR

Bammazon

Member

dear mr INCOMPETANT

----------------------------------------------------
1 - The guaranteed download speeds were seldom reached

2 - Frequent burps, requiring pages to be reloaded

3 - Very non-Mac friendly
-------------------------------------------------------

1 MSN doesnt gaurantee anything, speeds up to

2 OE support msn as a mail client, you dont have to take the extra 2 seconds to get online to check ur e-mail, just setup the account in Outlook

3 Try the new msn8, created by the mac user-- comming out in june, you can run msn on your mac and a pc.

4 Use whatever internet client you want, you dont have to go through msn8- its not aol, if your modem is on and your PC is on then open your browser and browse- heck you dont even have to have msn8 installed to use msn BroadBand

5 as for your msn commercials, that would be because you arent using msn8, pop-ups are reduced dramatically with msn8, I have only recieved 4 pop ups in my browser and that was because I went to a aol site- and I have been using msn for about 5 months now

In short Msn needs to advertise to the smarter half of the world, instead of trying to satisfy the unsatifiable half

Also not sure if you re4alized, but with dsl your connection is always on same speed- those sites you go to to check your speed, if they are busy your results will be lower- cable is like dial up, more people online on the same node, the slower your connection is, also your PC has alot to do with the speed, I have 3 PC's networked to my dsl and 2 newer ones connect (using the sites)at 575k and the one that is about a year older only connects at 114k and I even tried hooking it strait to the modem, incase the other 2 were hogging the bandwidth!!

Point proven

Review by battyone6 See Profile

  • Location: West New York, Hudson, NJ, USA
  • Cost: $50 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 21 days
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Qwest
Nice download, good upload, excellent tech support, good mail filters.
Cant find a news server, mail is thru MSN explorer, MODEM NAT IS LOCKED DOWN!
A solid ISP with a couple of flaws.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I orederd msn internet service on august 29th. My first modem came Dead on Arrival, so i called up and they shipped me a new one. I was glad to see that they paid me for shipping both ways. The modem they sent me was an Arescom NETdel 800, and as/of the latest firmware (may 20th) the nat blocks alot of traffic and cant be changed. A new firmware is promised within a few weeks so we can turn the NAT off. I get good speeds, usualy 850/128. Their customer service is excellent, no long waits, and most techs are polite and know alot of stuff. If the firmware didn't lock down the modem this would be a great thing, but because the firmware locks the nat firewall it is hard to use some P2P programs and you cant host any type of server. The connection has been great, havent had any downtime or bottlenecks, the modem was easy to install, and the techs are great people. This is a solid isp with a few minor flaws.

member for 21.4 years, 17 visits, last login: 20.9 years ago
lodged 21.4 years ago


viachipset
@verizon.net

viachipset

Anon

i use Verizon

that's good but wich speed do you get, I live on North bergen close to Macdonald of 32 street