| Got Charter Broadjump software? I have compiled a quick instruction set that I believe will totally remove the Charter Broadjump software they are so adamant about installing. I used XP as my testbed but it should work just fine for all versions of Windows.
They say they are using this software to provide greater tech support. My opinion is they should spend their money on better tech support reps and/or training rather than relying on this software. Apparently their techs get in real trouble if they do not install this software. Here goes:
In add/remove programs:
remove Broadjump Client Foundation (9.77MB?!)
In Windows Explorer remove:
Charter Pipeline in Start menu
Broadjump folder and support.com software in Programs folder
Remove the Charter "cookie" (or just dump them all using your Internet Options control panel)
In registry key
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE/SOFTWARE
remove Broadjump folder
remove support.com folder
In registry key
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
remove tgcmd
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Did I TELL YOU to right click? |
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 HappyBunnyHi. Cram It.Premium
join:2001-06-23
Long Beach, CA
kudos:1 | said by spongeband:
Apparently their techs get in real trouble if they do not install this software.
I doubt that--customers don't have to allow techs to install anything on their computers. Anyways, I have two Macs on my Charter Pipeline and the tech didn't even want to touch 'em LOL He had me do the computer side of the install because he didnt even know how to find the TCP/IP control panel! So there is one way around the broad jump software 
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Goodbye, horrid little machine! -- Former PC user in Apple ad |
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| I totally agree that their Mac training is ridiculous at times but as far as the "getting in trouble" comment I guess I was exaggerating a bit. Let's just say that the techs who work in the Pasadena, San Gabriel valley, and Norwalk areas are put under a lot of pressure to install the CD. There also was definitely a period of about two weeks when they would not attempt the install if your CD-Rom didn't work, you refused, etc...I'm glad they didn't touch your S)*%!
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Did I TELL YOU to right click? |
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| Broadjump installs must be a California or other area thing. When they came to install Pipeline, they just hooked up the coax to the modem, and modem to NIC. He then changed some internet settings, rebooted my CPU and I was good to go. I would've smacked the tech if he tried putting more crap on my CPU. I have a hard enough time getting AOL and MSN off of my CPU. I don't need more companies pushing their content into my house.
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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges." - Jack Handey |
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| I whole heartedly agree! I'm told even the system manager in this area doesn't like his techs installing this crap! It is an order from "up high." Maybe Paul Allen himself?!?! Ha ha ha...
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Did I TELL YOU to right click? |
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 VarlikWithout Honor You Will Never Be FreePremium
join:2002-01-06
Anderson, SC | reply to davrox012
said by dinstett:
Broadjump installs must be a California or other area thing.
Upstate Sc is currently installing the Broadjump software. It's on a disk they run to check your computer and change / setup the network settings on your computer. My friend in Greenville still has it on his computer.
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Sir, sir we don’t use DHCP brand servers! We only use IBM & Microsoft servers. Form there my call to tech support went steadily down hill. |
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| said by Varlik:
Upstate Sc is currently installing the Broadjump software. It's on a disk they run to check your computer and change / setup the network settings on your computer. My friend in Greenville still has it on his computer.
Thanks for the info. Like I said, the techs, at least in my area, do all of that stuff manually. I see all these threads about Broadjump software and I really don't know what it is all about. I still wouldn't let them install that on my PC anyway.
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"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges." - Jack Handey |
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 duhheeCorprep
join:2002-06-08
Mission Hills, CA | reply to dizzyzuma
geez.. NOONE but NOONE, not even my wife, installs stuff on my computers, period. I work too hard to keep these things hummmmming...
thank god I have a brain.. |
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| reply to dizzyzuma
Broadjump... what evil things does it do? |
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 jarablueAlways be true to yourself
join:2001-06-11
Boxborough, MA | reply to dizzyzuma
Is it spyware of any sort? Does it report users stats back to Charter in some way? What does it do that makes it 'so bad'? |
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| It's just more crap for you to run, more ram, more cpu usage, more hard disk space, it's a waste, there's no need for it, it just slows you down. I dont' think it's spyware, and it doens't report back to the mothership(charter). I have heard that Comcast is working on software to report back if you have uncapped, and your internet won't work w/out this software, but that's
@!***JUST A RUMOR***!@.
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HaViCaZ |
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VarlikWithout Honor You Will Never Be FreePremium
join:2002-01-06
Anderson, SC | reply to jarablue
said by jarablue:
Is it spyware of any sort? Does it report users stats back to Charter in some way? What does it do that makes it 'so bad'?
I wouldn't say it's spyware. But it has the potential to be used as spyware.
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Sir, sir we don’t use DHCP brand servers! We only use IBM & Microsoft servers. Form there my call to tech support went steadily down hill. |
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 vpr611
join:2001-12-06
Saint Louis, MO | The software is not spyware, It will allow the user to provision their own e-mail accounts and for some of the novice users it will create the profile in outlook express, and make all of the configurations necessary for the pipeline service. |
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 DeVore
join:2001-12-08
Madison, WI | said by bmtech:
The software is not spyware, It will allow the user to provision their own e-mail accounts and for some of the novice users it will create the profile in outlook express, and make all of the configurations necessary for the pipeline service.
Nobody needs software to provision their own email accounts. They can just go to »update.charter.net.
If Charter would just make it clear to novice users what the incoming/outgoing mail servers are, even they could easily configure their mail client of choice.
And as for configurations - uhh, set everything to DHCP and go? That's not terribly difficult.
I know that previous versions of Charter's install software included a VNC server, getting your computer ready for Charter to login and manage remotely. This bothers me, #1 because they don't make it abundanty clear that they're installing a SERVER on your computer which they could use to administer it remotely, and #2 because Charter prohibits running servers in the first place.
But I digress. My point is that when you treat people stupidly, they'll behave stupidly. Instead of this setup software, which configures your computer without letting you know HOW this is happening (and thereby TEACHING novice users), I wish Charter would distribute clear setup instructions. Instructions would allow end users to actually LEARN a bit about what's going on, possibly preventing future support calls. Plus, it's cheaper to Charter. Additionally, Charter wouldn't be clogging up your system with software you don't need.
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Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, by let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances - Sun Tzu, _The Art of War_ |
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vpr611
join:2001-12-06
Saint Louis, MO | Customers cannot use update.charter.net to create the initial account. That must be created on our end the customer cannot login to the update page to provision their primary account.
Only then can the customer login to that site and make any changes to their mail. |
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| It has a feature similiar to Windows XP remote assistance. If a request is made to allow a Charter tech fix the customers computer a window will pop up asking the customer if they would allow that. It's 100% up to the customer if they click no, Charter techs will not have any access at all. As far as I know, at least in my area, the Broadjump cd is optional, and we are currently not using the remote access features at all, and while the people that post here more than likely do not need remote assistance I can assure you that a majority of our customer base have been asking for exactly this kind of software.
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»www.northcentralonlinesupport.com - WI CALL CENTER HSD |
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DeVore
join:2001-12-08
Madison, WI | reply to vpr611
said by bmtech:
Customers cannot use update.charter.net to create the initial account. That must be created on our end the customer cannot login to the update page to provision their primary account.
Are you saying that this software actually goes out and creates the user's initial email account on Charter's system? That seems weird. I always thought that someone was manually setting up/activating your account in the Charter offices. I know that's what happened with me, because I installed absolutely no software when I was set up.
I assume things are still set up manually (perhaps in addition to the software thing) because if I was getting new service today, I would still refuse to install any Charter software on my machine. If users refuse to install any software, how is their initial email provisioned?
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Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, by let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances - Sun Tzu, _The Art of War_ |
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DeVore
join:2001-12-08
Madison, WI | reply to papasui$
said by papasui:
... while the people that post here more than likely do not need remote assistance I can assure you that a majority of our customer base have been asking for exactly this kind of software.
Oh, for sure. I understand that totally. I've used Remote Desktop in XP to help friends out and I know it's a useful tool. The only thing that bothers me is that I don't think Charter makes it clear enough that by installing the software, you're installing something that will potentially grant other users complete and unfettered access to your system. And that fact that it's a _server_, which is hypocritical since Charter prohibits servers.
My experience with Charter has been (and continues to be) fantastic. I just wish they were a little more clear about the _exactly_ what they're installing on people's boxes. 
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Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, by let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances - Sun Tzu, _The Art of War_ |
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vpr611
join:2001-12-06
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to DeVore
If a user refuses to install the software, they must call the local office to get their accounts setup.
The CD was created due to customer feedback and will make self installs easier for many customers.
I am very happy that you have had great experiences with Charter and I hope that we can continue to offer you what you have come to expect from us.
[text was edited by author 2002-07-15 12:09:47] |
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HappyBunnyHi. Cram It.Premium
join:2001-06-23
Long Beach, CA
kudos:1 | Why not just do like Earthlink or other ISP's do and give out a cd with IE and Outlook Express with the correct installers in it--so that as the software is installed the account is set up easily. That way nobody needs to have lingering spyware on the computer. Yes, I heard that it isnt being used for that at this time but it absolutely has the potential to be misused that way. Why would anyone grant any corporation free reign to their computer?
I still think I would be very concerned about the potential for Broadjump to be used as a marketing tool to push ads to my desktop. It has this capability as well, and it is touted on Broadjump's website. I know it has been said in other threads that it is not Charter's intention, but that could change in a day at a sales meeting when someone decides it would be cool to barrage us with PPV ads. I wouldn't like my computer or bandwidth seized as I helplessly am forced to watch one of those horrid Dan Akroyd commercials.
You know, I used to like him once upon a time but is he lame now or what?
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Goodbye, horrid little machine! -- Former PC user in Apple ad |
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