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RB_Font
@sbcglobal.net
|  using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers...
My DSL modem (provided several years ago by SBC before they were acquired by AT&T) is a Speedstream model 5100. I have the Speedstream modem hard-wired (Ethernet) to a Macintosh desktop computer.
I also have the Speedstream 5100 connected to a Belkin model F5D7231-4 wireless router. The wireless signal from the Belkin is streamed throughout my house and I connect wirelessly to the Internet using both Windows PCs and Macintosh computers. All of this works just fine, so long as I do not use Apple’s Safari browser.
Some months ago, I was having sporadic DSL connection problems and, after multiple discussions with AT&T technical support, I was finally “clued in” to the fact that AT&T is aware of compatibility problems between the DSL service and the Apple Safari browser. In response to that clue, I permanently switched to the Mozilla Firefox browser (for my Macintosh computers) and to the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser or Google Chrome browser (for my Windows PCs). Since then, I have had no problem with the AT&T DSL connection.
This past week, I purchased an Apple iPod Touch. The iPod Touch supports the Mobile Safari web browser. It appears that using the Safari web browser on my new iPod Touch is causing the same DSL connection problems as I experienced a few months ago using the Safari browser on my Macintosh desktop computer. Much searching has not turned up an alternate web browser for my new iPod Touch.
Is there any work around for my situation? | |
|  | 
MrFixitSC
Premium,VIP,ExMod 2001-06
join:2000-12-01
Moncks Corner, SC | is the belkin wep enabled? if so, have you entered the key in the ipod? There is no conflict between AT&T DSL and Safari, that makes no sense.. This is simply a wireless issue.. | |
| Frohike
Premium
join:2000-07-23
Waxahachie, TX | The only conflict there is - using safari 3.0 to configure the modem(4100 or 5100b). After configuring the modem with firefox - you can use safari for the internet. | |
|
RB Font
@sbcglobal.net
| GreyBeard, Mr. Fixit, and Froh - the information that "Safari is incompatible with AT&T DSL" came from a 'Level 2' technician at AT&T. Once I stopped using Safari, I have never had a recurrence of the periodic outages.
I realize that it requires a workaround to configure the modem using the Safari browser, but that's not the only issue according to the AT&T rep. | |
| |
MrFixitSC
Premium,VIP,ExMod 2001-06
join:2000-12-01
Moncks Corner, SC
1 edit | Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... Hmmm, thanks for the info, I'd never heard that... | |
| | 
ctgreybeard
Old dogs can learn new tricks
Premium
join:2001-11-13
Bethel, CT
clubs: 
 ·AT&T Yahoo
| BUNK
Safari is the most compatible browser against the W3C tests. It's a browser that implements the HTTP protocol, there is NOTHING that could possibly be "incompatible" with any DSL.
Millions of users, myself among them, have used Safari on both Apple and Windows machines without incident on AT&T DSL as well as other ISPs.
You are being misled by the ignorant. Believe what you will but if AT&T DSL can be brought to its knees by a mere browser, a very common and popular one at that, then AT&T has serious problems.
I am not doubting that you experience problems when you use Safari, what I am saying is that the trigger may be Safari but the underlying problem isn't in Safari, it is somewhere else in your configuration. For the life of me I can't imagine where or what it might be though. Which, I guess, makes me as ignorant as they. Ignorance is curable, though.
--
Old dogs can learn new tricks! | |
| | | Frohike
Premium
join:2000-07-23
Waxahachie, TX
| RB Font,
I work in 2nd Level for AT&T and I know what that tech said.
That tech misunderstood the information he/she has read.
Again - Safari is perfectly compatible with the actual DSL Tranport Protocol.
The incompatibility has to do with older modems using an outdated HTTP Interface that has trouble with Safari 3.0.
There is nothing wrong with Safari 3.0 - its the modem software that is incompatible.
If you are having trouble browsing internet sites with Safari 3.0 over AT&T DSL, but not with Firefox or other browsers... then something is wrong with your Safari software and maybe should be reinstalled or the security settings on Safari are too strict.
Unfortunately that tech misread info and started grasping at straws and misinterpreted the info provided to our techs. | |
| |
RB_Font
@sbcglobal.net | Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... Again, many thanks Mr. GreyBeard and Mr. Frohike. What you have told me helps a lot. I have several things to try now and I will try them. | |
| Floid
join:2002-02-11
Ridgefield, CT
| The other issue I've run into with Safari (on the Mac) is that it can be either "overzealous" or "helpful" in detecting an offline condition, which can be frustrating while troubleshooting. (To really get into this corner-case, flop back and forth between wired and wireless connections a couple times, particularly if the machine doesn't immediately grab DHCP.) If you try hard enough, you can get it to whine about an offline condition while connected to the machine over VNC!
IIRC Firefox will be a bit dumber and more predictable, trying to do lookups and waiting for them to time out without being clever about it. (At least, barring any quirks of its own short-lived resolver cache...)
Under normal circumstances Safari is fine, and the above doesn't really have anything to do with DSL. | |
|
RB_Font
@sbcglobal.net
| Mr. GreyBeard and Mr. Frohike and Mr. Fixit:
I did a clean re-install of Safari 3, trashed all of the preference files, etc., then began using Safari as my primary browser. This was about a week ago and I have had NO problems since then. This is an interesting finding, and makes me wonder if I wasn't falling for the Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc fallacy (and trusting too much in the smarty-pants ATT technician)?...
Anyway, thanks so much for all of your advice. I am going to return to just USING my computer, not trying to fix it... | |
| | Frohike
Premium
join:2000-07-23
Waxahachie, TX
| Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... I'm glad its working for you. Just remember - you didn't call Jesus Tech Support - so people are not perfect. He either just misinterpreted the information about Safari and our older modems, or he really felt inadequate about troubleshooting a MAC.
Which I don't really understand myself - they are so much simpler than troubleshooting windows based machines. I get a customer with a MAC calling in - I know that call will take 10 minutes at most. Only so many things you can do on a MAC to fix issues (email, browsing, etc).
On a windows based machine, since there is alot that can be done, like safemode, commands, driver installs, system restores etc. Troubleshooting windows can take a good 60 minutes if running through every possible troubleshooting step.
Just some techs have a blind fear of MACs. | |
| | | |
wally21
@aol.com | What is better, AT&T DSL or Verizon DSL? | |
| |
MrFixitSC
Premium,VIP,ExMod 2001-06
join:2000-12-01
Moncks Corner, SC | Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... said by wally21 :
What is better, AT&T DSL or Verizon DSL?
since there is no location, currently, where you can have that option I don't understand the question... | |
| | |
wally21
@aol.com
| Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... Mr.FixitCT,
I dont undersatand what you mean by location. I live in SouthFlorida. I thought I would be able to choose DSL providers. I didnt include comcast because i know they are more expensive. Do you know what are my choices for dsl in my area? | |
| | | | NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... DSL is provided by the ILEC. I don't know if there are any CLEC resellers of AT&T service in Florida. If AT&T provides the telephone service, they also may provide DSL service. I am not aware that Verizon will provision DSL in any area service by AT&T. There may be DSL offered by a company like Covad.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum | |
|
Fellowmac
@aol.com
| Frohike, and anyone else who can help me:
I am an AT&T residential phone customer who wants DSL service but have several tech questions that I feel the AT&T customer service reps are not too familiar with the subject.
I have an Apple eMac with a G4 processor, OS 10.3.9, it is not Wi-Fi ready, my current ISP is AOL, and I have Safari version 1.3.2.
My questions are:
1. AT&T now sells the "Gateway Wireless 2701 HG-B (wireless router w/built in modem). Is this equipment compatible with my system?
2. Will I be able to use my Safari Browser? I have thousands of Bookmark folders in there, plus many other short cuts that Firefox or IE don't have.
3. With AT&T's lowest speed of 786Kbps, will I be able to go online with my desktop at the same time that my son goes online with his PS3? My income is limited and I would not like to spend more than I need.
4. I am adamant about not paying the extra $5 a month for networking because I have no interest in having computers sharing information. I only have my desktop plus my son's PS3. And if I have my older children coming for a visit, I would like for them to be able to connect their laptops wirelessly. I know I don't need ''networking'' service for that. But yet, the AT&T reps tell me I HAVE TO BUY the networking service. Can you clear this up for me?
Thank you, and I hope you can help. | |
| | NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| Re: using AT&T DSL with Macintosh computers... If you don't pay for the networking package, you won't get networking support from AT&T. It may be that they won't sell the 2Wire 2701 HG-B without the networking package; I don't know.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum | |
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