Bob99
join:2001-12-07
Teaneck, NJ Reviews:
 ·Verizon FiOS
| FiOS Software I'm considering getting FiOS Internet and phone, but not TV. The Verizon web site says they will install "FiOS software" on my PC. What software do they install, and what does it do? Do I really need it? If not, can I just tell them not to install it? |
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cramer
join:2007-04-10
Raleigh, NC
kudos:7 | I've never heard of them installing anything. It's "internet", so there's really nothing that needs to be installed.
In days long past, ISPs would install branded web browsers and email clients. (or long, long ago... dialers) None of that crap is necessary today.
(There may be some network tweaks you might want to fully utilize your much higher speed connection, but that's very OS specific. Microsoft says it's not necessary for Win7, but I know people who say otherwise.) |
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 bohratomJersey Shore will rise again
join:2011-07-07
Red Bank NJ | reply to Bob99
The verizion FIOS software bundle includes the "VZ in-home agent" which helps troubleshoot router/stb/phone issues. Also it includes the "VZ Fios information" application that contains your account information for all the hardware. |
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 More FiberPremium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
kudos:28 | reply to Bob99
said by Bob99:What software do they install, and what does it do? The "FIOS Optimizer" is worth running. The default RWIN is usually too small for FIOS speeds. Windows 7 will auto-tune the download, but not the upload.
The In-Home agent is useful for troubleshooting. If you're comfortable troubleshooting your own network, you don't really need it.
said by Bob99:can I just tell them not to install it?
You can certainly decline the installation.
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There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those who understand binary and those who don't.
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 PoloDudePremium,VIP
join:2006-03-29
Northport, NY
kudos:3 | reply to Bob99
Let the tech do what he has to do. You can then remove anything you don't want. The USB that they use will leave you with important account info, Links to verizon sites, Information on how to access your voicemail and DV features. To be clear.... There is no "Program" required to access the internet but you MUST agree to the Terms of Service.
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“My horse fights with me and fasts with me because if he is to carry me into battle, he must know my heart and I must know his or we shall never become brothers.
-Plenty Coups, Chief of the Crow” |
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Bob99
join:2001-12-07
Teaneck, NJ Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| reply to More Fiber
said by More Fiber:The "FIOS Optimizer" is worth running. The default RWIN is usually too small for FIOS speeds. Windows 7 will auto-tune the download, but not the upload. I still have XP on my primary computer. Will the FiOS Optimizer work in XP? Will having XP cause any problems? |
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 danclan
join:2005-11-01
Midlothian, VA | said by Bob99:said by More Fiber:The "FIOS Optimizer" is worth running. The default RWIN is usually too small for FIOS speeds. Windows 7 will auto-tune the download, but not the upload. I still have XP on my primary computer. Will the FiOS Optimizer work in XP? Will having XP cause any problems? you can run it on XP and there are other free tools that will also optimize your XP server. |
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| reply to bohratom
The in-home agent is bloated slow software. I find it practically useless. Every time I contact Verizon with a problem the agent tells me about the program and sends me a link to download it, even though I already have it on my computer. |
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More FiberPremium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
kudos:28 | reply to Bob99
said by Bob99:Will the FiOS Optimizer work in XP? The FIOS Optimizer was originally designed for XP and does not cause any problems.
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There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those who understand binary and those who don't.
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| reply to Bob99
said by Bob99:I'm considering getting FiOS Internet and phone, but not TV. The Verizon web site says they will install "FiOS software" on my PC. What software do they install, and what does it do? Do I really need it? If not, can I just tell them not to install it?
Calling it "FiOS Software" is an overstatement. A better qualified name would be "FiOS Utility Software" or "FiOS Troubleshooting Software." What you are getting is optional software that can help FiOS run better or solve some known problems, the software is not mandatory for FiOS to run at all. |
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Bob99
join:2001-12-07
Teaneck, NJ | If I understand correctly from what everyone has said, none of the software that they install starts automatically or runs in the background. You just run it if you need it for tuning or troubleshooting. Is that right? |
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 ThinkdiffPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-07
Bronx, NY
kudos:6 | reply to Bob99
The installers really like to install that software. I refused repeatedly. Eventually the guy said ok and then he had to note specifically that I refused the software install. I can't remember if he also had to call it in, but I remember something about the ordeal being really ridiculous.
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University of Southern California - Fight On! |
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More FiberPremium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
kudos:28 | reply to Bob99
said by Bob99:You just run it if you need it for tuning or troubleshooting. Is that right? Correct.
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There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those who understand binary and those who don't.
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| reply to Thinkdiff
As soon as the installer leaves, the uninstall button is your friend.
Some installers don't even ask your permission before they do it. But I know better, anytime an installer touches my computer I check for new software afterwards. |
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| reply to Thinkdiff
said by Thinkdiff:The installers really like to install that software. I refused repeatedly. Eventually the guy said ok and then he had to note specifically that I refused the software install. I can't remember if he also had to call it in, but I remember something about the ordeal being really ridiculous.
They don't "like" to install it, they "have" to install it. We are monitored whether we use it or not, and are threatened with discipline for not using it. As others have said, delete whatever you don't want, but just let them do their job. |
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cramer
join:2007-04-10
Raleigh, NC
kudos:7 | Their job is to install internet connectivity, not screw with my computer(s).
Every time I've seen this stupidity -- "We have to install it. Honest." -- they're installing completely unnecessary bloated crapware, because they get kickbacks for every install. You'd be surprised how hard some of that shit is to remove. I'm not saying everything FiOS wants to install is junk, but I bet you lunch anything remotely useful will come chained to utterly unnecessary things. (note: you don't need FiOS branded software to change a registry setting.) |
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| said by cramer:Their job is to install internet connectivity, not screw with my computer(s).
They are told that they are to install the software when they install service. The software they install is also used for you to accept the Terms of Service, and create a My Verizon account.
said by cramer:You'd be surprised how hard some of that shit is to remove.
The software they install isn't in any way difficult to remove, and can be done in under 5 minutes. |
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cramer
join:2007-04-10
Raleigh, NC
kudos:7 | The software they install is also used for you to accept the Terms of Service, and create a My Verizon account.
Those two things are something you do ONCE. And I'd bet my net worth their "application" is just talking to a web server. If you don't have a PC, how do you agree to the TOS and setup your account? I have a WebOS tablet and PS3... (or just to really f*** with them, I have an Ultrabook... the RDI Tadpole UltraSPARC laptop.) |
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 Smith6612Premium,MVM
join:2008-02-01
North Tonawanda, NY
kudos:22
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·Frontier Communi..
| said by cramer:The software they install is also used for you to accept the Terms of Service, and create a My Verizon account. Sounds like the same BS AT&T used to require -- windows + IE + activex control that will download and install a boatload of crap you don't need, can't easily remove, and never asked for nor agreed to. Those two things are something you do ONCE. And I'd bet my net worth their "application" is just talking to a web server. If you don't have a PC, how do you agree to the TOS and setup your account? I have a WebOS tablet and PS3... (or just to really f*** with them, I have an Ultrabook... the RDI Tadpole UltraSPARC laptop.) For something like that you use a web browser to create a MyVerizon account and agree to the ToS. Of course, you agree to the ToS upon registration, especially if you order online. |
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| reply to cramer
said by cramer:Sounds like the same BS AT&T used to require -- windows + IE + activex control that will download and install a boatload of crap you don't need, can't easily remove, and never asked for nor agreed to.
How does it sound like the software AT&T used to require when I just said:
The software they install isn't in any way difficult to remove, and can be done in under 5 minutes.
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