Review by geowil 
UPDATED: 49 days ago
member for 94 days, 61 visits, last login: 1 days ago
 Laveen,Maricopa,AZ
 Contract price not specified.
 "Speed, not qwest"
 "crappy tech support, bit torrent traffic is shaped"
 "if you dont mind self-support, its great"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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The main reason I wanted to go with Cox is the speed (which i need for certain services on my computer) and I was soooo p'oed at Qwest.
So, when we moved, we had everything connected.
First snag was that I had to have them "add" the modem to our account (very old D-link [DCM101]).
Then a few weeks, my connection with the D-link started dropping randomly.
After this i replaced this modem with a D-Link DMC 202. had to call in and have then "add" this new one.
about 6 months later, I built myself a new computer and the need for a multi-port solution, as well as my new DMC202 dropping the connection as well, caused me to buy my current modem, a linksys WCG200 Ver2, had to have them "add" this one as well.
So, everything is fine for the first 4 months with the WCG200. Then i experienced the dropping again. They sent out a technician that dialed in my upstream (this also fixed a weird shadow like thing on our tv's for the local channels) and the problem seemed to go away.
fast forward to the beginning of this month (appx. 8 months later) and the loss of my cable signal is happening again.
I contacted the support about 9 times so far and have gotten almost nothing except scripts.
At one point i said enough was enough and contacted Linksys. They said that my modem was functioning properly after they had me hard reset it and turn off UPNP and that the issue was on Cox's side.
I recontacted Cox. This time they said i needed a firmware update. The rep also mentioned that NO cable companies push firmware to routers, that it was a misconception.
I contacted Linksys again. They said they did not provide it because all cable companies have the latest firmware for the modem, and they are tailored to the CO's specific needs.
So, i did research, lots of people have this issue with their WCG200's it would seem, with cox, comcast, etc.
I tried all of the things mentioned on these forums, and nothing fixed the issue. Again Linksys said the modem was functioning correctly.
On my last contact with Cox, they suggested that I replace the modem with something else but would not provide me with something that could meet my needs because they dont support any other all-in-ones except the WCG series that are commercially available.
So i am stuck without any options.
As you see this is an ongoing problem with three different modems all different models. Yet cox refuses to accept that it could be something on their end.
their prize mantra seems to be "You area is going under daily maintenance. A drop of your connection once or more a day should not be unexpected."
but i say, every day for the past month?!
As i said in the "Bottom Line" box. if you can deal with weird oddities and loss of your connection randomly. go with cox. there is still less bull then with Qwest or ATT and the speeds are twice or even three times as fast.
their CS sucks for the most part though, so dont expect miracles when you have issues.
now for my ratings:
Pre-sales: 4
They tell you everything you need to know, there are no hidden fees that they do not tell you about.
They do not tell you what ports and traffic type are blocked and BW usage are.
Install: 4
I did the install myself, was as simple as hooking up a coax cable to the modem from the wall.
for connection and Tech support read the essay above xD
Services: 3
gave a 3 because they never gave us an email address to be able to login and use them.
Value: 4
self explanitory. Speed, easy of installation, but weird issues and almost constant signal drop and loss cause me to not like Cox HSI but not hate it either.
UPDATE 4/25/2008
After messaging with a Cox support person on these forums, I have found that the Teir 1 support for cox is full of BS.
He was able to push a firmware upgrade to my modem that fixed the connection dropping. it did however bring some new issues but I am still working on it.
I'll most likely be replacing this modem regardless.
Now, for some new info.
Cox shapes (blocks to slow down your speeds and your connected peers speeds (and i think I have seen some packet forging with the Azureus plugin)) bit torrent traffic.
From 8 to 54% has been my range so far. I have seen a 78% ONCE and have not seen anything that high since. So i think that was a rouge reading.
I also used Wireshark for a night with Bit torrent on and there were about 39k packets captured (max for a capture session) and about 2000 of them were RST packets.
but as it was suggested on the Aure plugin wiki page, these could just be normal packet traffic.
So i have adjusted my rating accordingly.
_______________________________________
Update: Jun, 4, 2008
I recently replaced my MCG with a dual setup (surfboard 5101 + Neatgear wireless n rangemax w/ gig ports) and my connection is back to normal and even faster.
My best speed test:
»www.speedtest.net/result/268296342.png
my network is now on 1gbps and the wireless is on 300mbps, so everything is screaming internally.
getting it setup was a bit off a put off though. The first guy i talked to said he couldnt access the account without the account number, even though my SN has worked every time before.
And the second guy i got didnt know what he was doing.
Finally got a hold of another rep, and she got it setup in under 3 minutes.
adjusted my rating accordingly.
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