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story category The Cable Guy Blew Up My Powerbook
A particularly rough install...
(old news - 05:00PM Monday Dec 18 2006)
tags: business · cable · Oddities
Because Comcast technicians and subcontractors apparently haven't received enough bad press of late, a user tells the Consumerist the story of how a Comcast technician accidentally blew up her Powerbook, along with most of the gear on her desk.
"It seems likely that the young technician connected the rooftop end of the cable to a similar-appearing, but now obviously incorrect electrical cable. In any case, both technicians stated that the company-installed "system" of cables on the roof were "a real mess" and were unsafely stretched over and near an electrical box and associated cables."
The result was a desktop full of charred devices (photos at the above link) and one seriously annoyed user. Comcast has admitted fault, but has been slow to rectify damage, according to the poster.

Related:
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  2. Comcast Stuffs Consumerist Poll
  3. Did Comcast Hire Public Stand-ins For Neutrality Hearing?
  4. Shaw Users Seeing 'PermaBoost'
  5. Your Comcast DVR Is Watching You
  6. Charter's Broadband 'For Life' Auction Tops $40k
  7. Charter: Selling Browsing Data Is Like Offering Faster Speeds
  8. Comcast Circulates Unredacted User Check Online
Forums » The Cable Guy Blew Up My Powerbook
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Post a:
page: 1 · 2
russotto

join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA

So...

Ground, 5000VAC, what's the difference?

Black Box

join:2002-12-21
·Execulink

Re: So...

said by russotto See Profile :

Ground, 5000VAC, what's the difference?
Just a five and three zeros that don't count anyway
--
Keep It Safe, Stupid!
Yes, I CanChat. Can You?

RadioDoc
Sortofadog
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
Chicago, IL
·AT&T Midwest

Hmmm...this "story" is over three weeks old. It does seem that Comcast has decided to drag it's feet reimbursing her since she's not gotten anything yet.

Of course, they were probably too busy ignoring the double-murder suspect under their employ (this is in Chicago as well) to worry about such things as corporate liability.

Do they even bother to train installers anymore?
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.
moonpuppy

join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: So...

said by RadioDoc See Profile :

Hmmm...this "story" is over three weeks old. It does seem that Comcast has decided to drag it's feet reimbursing her since she's not gotten anything yet.

Of course, they were probably too busy ignoring the double-murder suspect under their employ (this is in Chicago as well) to worry about such things as corporate liability.

Do they even bother to train installers anymore?
Training costs money. Money that can be better spent on stock dividends and bonuses.
LeftOfSanity

join:2005-11-06
Felton, DE

Re: So...

said by moonpuppy See Profile :

said by RadioDoc See Profile :

Hmmm...this "story" is over three weeks old. It does seem that Comcast has decided to drag it's feet reimbursing her since she's not gotten anything yet.

Of course, they were probably too busy ignoring the double-murder suspect under their employ (this is in Chicago as well) to worry about such things as corporate liability.

Do they even bother to train installers anymore?
Training costs money. Money that can be better spent on stock dividends and bonuses.
Huh? What would be the point of BUYING divedends and bonuses?
moonpuppy

join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: So...

said by LeftOfSanity See Profile :

said by moonpuppy See Profile :

said by RadioDoc See Profile :

Training costs money. Money that can be better spent on stock dividends and bonuses.
Huh? What would be the point of BUYING divedends and bonuses?
You don't buy dividends, extra profit is used to pay bonuses and dividends to those that hold stock. Stockholders want money over making customers happy.

punker
deleted by moderator
Premium
join:2004-06-21
Palmdale, CA
clubs:

edit:
December 18th, @04:29PM

haha

haha
SinNombre

join:2004-09-16
Charlotte, NC

thank god, nobody got hurt!

Well, at least nobody got hurt. Although, if it had been me I might have gone postal on the guy doing the install... !

davoice

join:2000-08-12
Saxapahaw, NC

Re: thank god, nobody got hurt!

This is why you should make them either a) use their own laptop to connect the service the first time or b) have your PC and anything important unplugged until the cable modem is actually working.

}Davoice

RR Conductor
'Boarrrd
Premium
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA
Ballistic, not Postal

richdelb
2008 Calder Cup CHAMPS
Premium
join:2003-01-22
Algonquin, IL

Reboot

I like the comment someone left.... "have you tried rebooting?"

That's great !!

macrospect
All The Little Stuff
Premium
join:2005-08-25
Doylestown, PA

edit:
December 18th, @05:07PM

Re: Reboot

{Support} Have you tried power cycling the modem?
{Customer} Yes it has been power cycled by a 240V power line.

I couldn't resist.
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: Reboot

said by macrospect See Profile :

{Support} Have you tried power cycling the modem?
{Customer} Yes it has been power life cycled by a 240V power line.

I couldn't resist.

winsyrstrife
Zillion - Master System
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:
ROFLMFAO
Plldwnyrpnts

join:2003-04-19
Chicago, IL

said by richdelb See Profile :

I like the comment someone left.... "have you tried rebooting?"

That's great !!
PDYP Says:
March 8th, 2007 at 8:31 pm

“Have you tried rebooting?”

“That only fixes Windows…”

Exactly! With Macs, just plug it in, and it works!


aaron8301
I can't get myself to go away.

join:2005-01-03
Clarkston, WA
·CableOne

A serious question

Someone please tell me how you connect a coax line to a "similar looking but incorrect" electrical line?

I have NEVER seen anything similar to an F-connector on an electrical line.
--
"I invented it, Bill made it famous." --David Bradley, the inventor of Ctrl+Alt+Del.

TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
·Comcast


edit:
December 18th, @04:35PM

Re: A serious question

said by aaron8301 See Profile :

Someone please tell me how you connect a coax line to a "similar looking but incorrect" electrical line?

I have NEVER seen anything similar to an F-connector on an electrical line.
Yes, that is what bothered me about this story. How did the tech ever jury rig a connection between a coax cable and an electrical cable. To even proceed when he could see incompatible connectors makes no sense at all. He is very lucky he wasn't killed, the moron.
--
--
My BLOG
My Web Page

Gordo74
Premium
join:2003-10-28
Monroeville, PA
clubs:
Coax lines are used to carry electricity too...

I also like the comment I saw on page 2 of the story "That's COMCASTIC!"
--
Ever wonder about the stars?

aaron8301
I can't get myself to go away.

join:2005-01-03
Clarkston, WA
·CableOne

Re: A serious question

Come to think of it, Gordo, you're right. But the only way I can think of that coax is used to carry electricity is when you use an amplifier (or multiswitch with DirecTV), you use coax to connect the power supply at an electrical outlet to the actual amp unit.

Even if you plugged one of those amplifier power supplies into a cable going to the modem, those power supplies only put out 12 volts. I really don't think that would be enough to cause this scenario.
--
"I invented it, Bill made it famous." --David Bradley, the inventor of Ctrl+Alt+Del.

GadgetsRme
Premium
join:2002-01-30
Canon City, CO
·Champion Broadband..

said by Gordo74 See Profile :

I also like the comment I saw on page 2 of the story "That's COMCASTIC!"
In light of recent events I think it would be more correct if it said: "That's COMBLASTIC!!!!!"

--
Gadgets

AB
Premium
join:2006-04-04
Leesburg, VA

Re: A serious question

said by GadgetsRme See Profile :

. . "That's COMBLASTIC!!!!!"
Wasn't she requesting Wi-Fry?

macrospect
All The Little Stuff
Premium
join:2005-08-25
Doylestown, PA

Re: A serious question

I laughed out loud when I read your post!

Gordo74
Premium
join:2003-10-28
Monroeville, PA
clubs:

No, but if you have one stretched quite near a high powered electrical source, as this installed did, note stretched, which probably unshielded some of it and severely leaked alot of electricity into the cable.
--
Ever wonder about the stars?
Kearnstd
Elf Wizard

join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ
i still dont think the 240VAC feed from the pole could induce that much into the coax. im betting the cable guy found a loose circuit or an uncapped wire and oops.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports

fireflier
Coffee. . .Need Coffee
Premium
join:2001-05-25
Limbo
·RoadRunner Cable

Agreed. I'd like to see more data to support exactly what that technician plugged into what. Maybe he was shaking/moving one of the cable lines coming to the house and contacted the high side of the poletop transformer?

The results and the story don't match up.
--
Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor. --despair.com

NoVA_CoxUser
Stand back from the cage -- The RF bites
Premium
join:2004-07-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: A serious question

I agree too ... in fact I think this is another "urban legend" hoax.

Even IF the tech somehow managed to connect to a 120 VAC (to ground) source -- which I consider very doubtful -- how did all that power (i.e. amperage x voltage) "jump" thru the cable modem electronics and the 24 AWG ethernet cable with still enough "ummph" to blow-out the laptop AND what appears to be USB connections?
squid7
Premium
join:2006-09-02

Comcast is lightning fast

But this user needed a little more fast and a bit less lightning.

Maggs
Premium
join:2002-11-29
Woodside, NY
clubs:
·RCN CABLE

Quiznos comes to mind on this one.

All I have to say is "Toasty" . You should unplug everything untill it is set up fully, and that cable modem looks like a brick. Damn, must be one of those VOIP ones.
--
It's a SYN, not to ACK your packets.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction

join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs:

should've bought a PC

that's a mac for ya. sure, they have fewer viruses, but they explode for no reason whatsoever. unacceptable steve jobs! unacceptable!

TigerLord
Resident Pentaxian
Premium,Mod
join:2002-06-09
Chicoutimi
·Videotron
·Bell Sympatico

Host:
International Broa..
Videotron

Re: should've bought a PC

said by morbo See Profile :

that's a mac for ya. sure, they have fewer viruses, but they explode for no reason whatsoever. unacceptable steve jobs! unacceptable!

Jameson
Premium
join:2004-05-28
Fallbrook, CA
clubs:

Re: should've bought a PC

Morons speak above ^

Michieru
zzz zzz zzz
Premium
join:2005-01-28
Miami, FL

Re: should've bought a PC

It's called sarcasm, learn to love it.

DataDoc
Nilsson Schmilsson
Premium
join:2000-05-14
Greenville, NC
·Suddenlink

said by morbo See Profile :

that's a mac for ya. sure, they have fewer viruses, but they explode for no reason whatsoever. unacceptable steve jobs! unacceptable!
I don't know, the Mac tried to get rid of the bad cables, but it was too late.

And of all the logos, the Apple came through the best.

That's quality.
--
That Snows the Goat & Craig's Crafts

Frydays

join:2005-10-21
USA
yes she should have gotten a real pc and not a pretty over priced toy thats all macs are anyway

See 6 replies to this post

insomniac84

join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN

data recovery

I hope she forces them to pay for the most expensive data recovery service she can find.

LBDSL
Lightning Bolt
VIP
join:2002-01-07
Auburn Hills, MI


edit:
December 18th, @05:24PM

Re: data recovery

said by insomniac84 See Profile :

I hope she forces them to pay for the most expensive data recovery service she can find.
»www.macwork.com/2006/11/28/pics-···inferno/

Our technicians were able to recover this customer’s data successfully and migrate it to brand new external drives - on the cable company’s dime!
RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
·XMission

Twisted pair? Coax? Zip Cord?

Looks like some electrical zip cord of the type used on cheap lamps connected to the laptop and PC, yet they are holding coax in another picture? Then there is a section of what looks like telephone trunk line but could be some very ragged ethernet cable. The only thing similar to that disaster that I have seen was the end result of a lightning strike, and that is a few kilo-volts higher voltage.

I will be the first to admit I have not seen everything, but data cables that look like electrical cords are so....60's? I THINK i remember some from long ago, but none recently, but I am sure someone will identify it if it really is a data cable.

Apparently this is making the rounds to many blogs and 'news' outlets and I wonder if it is really all true. But considering I know of a case where a jet mechanic put a port side AOA on the starboard side of a jet (resulting in a crash on take off ), I suppose it could be somehow done if someone tried hard enough.
--
I am not lost, I find myself every time.

Bumpin1ohm
Bumpin1ohm
Premium
join:2002-07-15
Aurora, CO
clubs:

Re: Twisted pair? Coax? Zip Cord?

said by RayW See Profile :

Looks like some electrical zip cord of the type used on cheap lamps connected to the laptop and PC, yet they are holding coax in another picture? Then there is a section of what looks like telephone trunk line but could be some very ragged ethernet cable. The only thing similar to that disaster that I have seen was the end result of a lightning strike, and that is a few kilo-volts higher voltage.

I will be the first to admit I have not seen everything, but data cables that look like electrical cords are so....60's? I THINK i remember some from long ago, but none recently, but I am sure someone will identify it if it really is a data cable.

Apparently this is making the rounds to many blogs and 'news' outlets and I wonder if it is really all true. But considering I know of a case where a jet mechanic put a port side AOA on the starboard side of a jet (resulting in a crash on take off ), I suppose it could be somehow done if someone tried hard enough.
its actually a retractable USB cord. like they sell at radioshack. the reason they are holding coax in the other picture is most likely the run going into the scientific atlanta cable modem.
--
Loud and Clear
RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:

Re: Twisted pair? Coax? Zip Cord?

Retractable USB, still looks like zipcord. Have to go look at one next time I am in the mall.
--
I am not lost, I find myself every time.

Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA

Blame it on a cable guy

That way you could get away with almost anything!

I wish cable companies would make it extremely hard to get your claims settled.

See 6 replies to this post

jhawk44

join:2006-10-19
USA

Heh

Poor Comcast - will it ever end? lol

Trinijoy
Premium
join:2005-09-12
Brick, NJ

Holy crap..

Just leave them alone.
rob2006

join:2006-11-07
Austell, GA

Re: Holy crap..

Its ComRosted !!!!!!1 ahahahaha this crap is funny. ahahah if it happen to me i would of sued them.
Desdinova

join:2003-01-26
Gaithersburg, MD

Hmmm...

I have this incredible urge to PS the roasted Apple into the mouth of a pig wearing a Comcast t-shirt...*grin*
seederjed

join:2005-02-28
Vancouver, WA

This was punishment for to much use

Your all way off base here. The tech was told to fry all the gear of the people who abused the network by exceeding the invisable caps.. Then blame it on a mess of wires that were incorrectly installed befor.
This will put the fear in those evil people who dare use the upload for anything.

Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL

She got her money's worth

So, in other words her service was Comcastic.

hawk82

join:2001-04-26
Oakland, ME

It's okay....

She had Subway for lunch and stayed at a Holiday Inn Express that night!
--
Computer & Network Consultant
Yes, I use pico... laugh all you want....
firewire9999

join:2004-07-11
Livonia, MI

Question?

So is this BPL in reverse?

Or POBL (power over boardband lines)?

Hyperspace71
S.T.A.R.

join:2005-08-10
Evansville, IN

2nd Power Line

I support the right to keep and bare high voltage.

Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL

Re: 2nd Power Line

So, we are not Hertz. At least we deny you the right to having your own choice.
--
I threw out the map a long time ago. Now I follow my own direction!
Geebo

join:2004-10-18
Fort Wayne, IN

Laptop Battery?

Laptop battery is the likley cause for this much damage, remember the recalls on laptop batteries due to spontanaeous combustion

johnsea66
Cool Down
Premium
join:2003-01-26
Canada

Re: Laptop Battery?

Laptop battery is probably true, but only after it got shocked did it go nuts.
clickie

join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI

Didja bother to RTFA? Don't bother reading it, just look at the pictures as I'm sure you can do that.

Explain to everyone here how an exploding laptop battery did all the damage to the cable modem, the F connector on the RG-6 and the attached Maxtor hard drive?

Or are you just being facetious?
russotto

join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA

No, the battery didn't explode, it's in a different area of the laptop. I imagine the voltage regulator circutry did explode, and there was likely lots of arcing going on.

The area of the PB which shows the worst hit is the area near the power conductor. That's why I mentioned ground in my earlier post; it wasn't the the Ethernet cable to the modem which caused the problem; that's transformer-coupled at both ends anyway and couldn't carry near enough voltage or current to do that damage. What most likely happened is the shield of the coax was got raised to some ridiculous potential with respect to the electrical ground. That current got dumped into the ground conductor through the cable modem, and then found its way to true ground through anything else plugged in, including the Powerbook.

Cheddarhead
Ain't Nuthin But A Thang

join:2002-02-19
Hudson, WI

Re: Laptop Battery?

I just pooped in my pants a little bit while laughing at this unfortunate souls dilemma....
Forums » The Cable Guy Blew Up My Powerbookpage: 1 · 2

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