US Telco Support > AT&T > AT&T DSL > What software does AT&T try to install when setting up modem

What software does AT&T try to install when setting up modem

A lot of useless, questionable crap. Some much so that AT&T employees aren't allowed to run that thing on AT&T computers. I've yet to hear of an anti-virus solution that doesn't block it.

I'm lucky; my DSL account (bellsouth) is old enough to have never had to deal with AT&T's bull****. 'tho I have had to go through AT&T's complete stupidity for other accounts. Rumor has it, they've cleaned up some in the years since I last dealt with them -- they no longer *require* IE on windows.

reply to wingman99
There really is no need to install anything if you are competent to set up the modem yourself.

I have never installed their set up BS.

At least on the old Bell South part of ATT.
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reply to wingman99
I called and they wont give me my password how do you do it.

I posted in your other thread the exact instructions. One you have the network password you can close your browser. Don't install any software.
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PRescott7-2097

reply to wingman99
when I setup the account it gave a password and the network password did not work.

It gave a option to print the information and i did, then it said you need to press continue if the information is correct.

I tried twice to get the modem to connect with entering the member ID and network password.

reply to cramer

I got that also when I got a new modem last year, it put the att/yahoo homepage on my brouser and a mail Icon on my desktop.It may be directed at new users to help them get to the homepage and email.
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reply to wingman99
I am not too sure if software is actually being installed. It appears that when the modem (or gateway) is initially communicating with the ATT server, ATT is looking for the correct username and password combination.

If the correct pair is not found, then it will try to run a program (which seems to take an eternity to run) which will attempt to identify your modem/gateway and take your user id/name then it will give you a predetermined ATT password (I think a combination of 6 letters/numbers)--this password is different from your email password and is different from previous passwords if you set up your account more than a few months ago.

I "trialed" some different modems/gateways/routers earlier this year and was flummoxed when I couldn't go through the setup without being redirected from the modem/gateway/router set up page to an ATT site. After a short chat with ATT support, it was confirmed that ATT assigned unique passwords to be used to authenticate accounts when setting up different equipment. I have used the new password on all the new pieces of equipment without being directed since.

Hope this helps.

reply to bbnovice
It used to be -- 5+/- years ago? -- modems were sent out (default config) to sign-in as "attreg" which connects you to their registration systems. No matter where you try to go, you'll be directed to their setup/activation site. That site pushed an activex control -- which only works on windows in IE. That control is what is used to create your account (username and password) -- instead of a dirt simple HTML form. Their "helpdesk" cannot create your account, nor are they allowed to access that system... BECAUSE it will (attempt to) install a number of crapwares behind your back without warning.

In my case, Norton killed the activex immediately. Getting past that, it bitched and blocked everything it tried to do from that point on. (which means no crapware on my machine, but I did have dozens of notices of blocked downloads and actions)

As I said, I've heard they've relaxed the "must have IE" BS -- people have reportedly using firefox on linux and mac.

reply to wingman99
The passwords are not actually specific to the new modems. There is now an att generated password that is used to authenticate your dsl account. You can either let the painfully long redirect program to reveal your password. Or you can call att dsl support, explain your situation and the rep will let you know the password after some verification of who you are. The support rep explained that the new 6 character password was initiated within the past year or two.

Good luck! Oh by the way I was able to get the password via firefox and seamonkey (don't like using ie).

reply to cramer

reply to wingman99
the only software you really need these days to install DSL yourself is really any browser that can bring up the following link

»att.net/activate

all modems (sold through at&t these days) have a default username/password of attreg@att.net and attreg as the password. That's so you can connect and go to the above link, that's the only place it goes that and yahoo.com( I think) but shortly after that the system redirects you to a page advising of a connection problem. the "attreg" goes to a walled garden connection typically for new users registering or users that don't have the correct username/password combination in their modems/routers.

last time I went through the link above it didn't ask me anything except to run the script that the new modems accept to put in the username and password that you select for you. Same thing as "there is a problem with your connection" type of things. They are designed to assist the end user with password/username issues typically.

As far as passwords, these days they did what was called "password decoupling"

You have one account, but two passwords:

iamanexample@att.net (just an example)

password 1( email and account password)- This password is changeable as many times as you see fit

password 2 (dsl network password)- This one typically is either set by you or auto generated. This password you can only generate a new password. Since this password is only for your modem that's about all it's good for.

Now a days you don't even have to use an AT&T connection to register your DSL. For one person he did it from his verizon connection got his user-name, his dsl network password, waited about 5 minutes, went, plugged his information in and he was on-line. After that he connected his belkin and he has been running since.

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reply to wingman99
OK thanks.