After many days of constantly rebooting the modem/router it has finally given up the ghost. We can no longer ping it, find it via its MAC address, etc. In effect, while plugged in it does not appear to exist anymore. It doesn’t even fulfill the duties of a basic hub for wired networking connections. The little piece of hardware from Telus appears to have died.  It did an honourable job for a number of years and likely earned its trip to recycled electronics heaven.

So, we get on the phone and call tech support to order a new modem. I really don’t have the temperament to deal with phone technical support. Too many years working in the IT field I suppose. I just don’t have any tolerance for people who 1) don’t listen, 2) can’t go off script, 3) tell you to do something you’ve already told them you’ve done, 4) never bother to ask what OS you’re running and 5) make assumptions about your level of skill or technical knowledge. I usually blow my top after 20 105 minutes. The hubby is just as bad.  His day job of late has been managing server farms.  Software and OS’ is my forte.  His is hardware.  Both of us are impatient brats when it comes to ‘puters.  We trade off talking to the jr. tech so we don’t go completely psycho on her.  It’s just too tempting. 

After 2 hours of wrangling with the jr. tech *oi vey! my aching head* we finally convince her to escalate us to her boss.  She doesn’t understand half of what either of us is saying and has spent the last 30 minutes asking us to repeat fruitless exercises – such as pinging outside internet sites.  Honey, if I can’t get a response pinging the router itself, I’m not damn likely to get a response from www.mytelus.com now am I? *sigh* 

Anywho, back on the farm.  We finally get escalated to the next level of support, spend 5-10 minutes outlining the problem and what we’ve done, et voila, the new modem is ordered.  How we managed to hang in for 2 hours at the lower level is beyond me.  I just didn’t want to lose my place in line I guess…

Now I just have to wait for the new modem to arrive.  2-5 business days.  ARGH!  If it doesn’t arrive before the weekend, I’ll have to spend 48+ hours without an Internet connection.  I have assignments due!  The sky is falling and the world is coming to an end!

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