WildBlue is Serious Internet Competition

T4Runner · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 12:26 PM

Thought I would bring this section up to date since I had WILDBLUE satellite internet installed last week. I used a local dealer in a city 30 miles from my rural foothill home.

They are currently waiving the installation cost ($100?) only which leaves the equipment cost at $300+tax+shipping ($60). My monthly cost is $50/month. Local sales did not tell me about paying the shipping, so I got it removed after they charged me. A local installer took 4hrs to install the KA Band dish and LNB, run the twin coax to the office, through the wall to a sat modem and into my 1st computer. (we have his and her computers at opposite ends of the house).

Installation went smoothly and he suggested I buy a router to connect the 2nd computer. I bought the LinkSys wireless-G w/speedbooster for the router and PCI card. Installation was done by me and was very easy.

Worked like greased lightning! BUT... got up the next morning and although I still had a connection to the satellite, I could not get in.

After 2 days w/o service and three seperate phone techs trying to find the solution, one finally did. It was called a LONG SHUTDOWN. Turned off and unplugged the modem for over a 1/2hr to clear and dump the memory (including a reboot of the computer while it was off). The default gateway then changed and solved my problem.

Both computers now are operating up to 512kbps download and 128 kbps upload. (Sept/01/2006 update: actual speed is dependant upon which package you buy. I bought cheapest $50/month. There are faster speeds for more $$.)

VERY happy customer. Great system.

N4ST · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 05:37 PM

Been running WildBlue for almost 8-months and pretty happy. Overall, service has been very reliable. Upload speeds aren't always at the max value, especially during evening primetime, but my download speeds have been averaging a few percent better than the plan maximun that I am on (1Mbps). Running three wired computers and one wireless connection through a router.

T4Runner: Next time the modem shows a satellite connection, but you can't surf, try refreshing the DNS allocation at your router. If that fails, do an IPCONFIG /renew followed by an IPCONFIG /refresh at your PC. Often works, and is faster than power cycling everything. Sometimes though, you have to hit the power button.

Sadoun · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 06:03 PM

T4Runner

What upload speeds have been experiencing?

What part of CA are you at?

T4Runner · #4 (**permalink**) 06-18-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadoun

T4Runner

What upload speeds have been experiencing?
What part of CA are you at?

My computer is the one connected only thru the LinkSys router at the other end of the house , so I am limited to 54Mbps. I do not know how to check upload and download speeds? My wife's computer is hard wired thru the router to the Sat modem and appears to have 100Mbps.

Central San Joaquin Valley foothills.

T4Runner · #5 (**permalink**) 06-18-2006, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N4ST

Been running WildBlue for almost 8-months and pretty happy. Overall, service has been very reliable. Upload speeds aren't always at the max value, especially during evening primetime, but my download speeds have been averaging a few percent better than the plan maximun that I am on (1Mbps). Running three wired computers and one wireless connection through a router.

T4Runner: Next time the modem shows a satellite connection, but you can't surf, try refreshing the DNS allocation at your router. If that fails, do an IPCONFIG /renew followed by an IPCONFIG /refresh at your PC. Often works, and is faster than power cycling everything. Sometimes though, you have to hit the power button.

N4ST: I'm not familiar with the terminology you're using concerning the DNS allocation? But I do know how to use the "cmd" and the IPCONFIG commands. I will write them down and try next time.

I'm leaving for the coast for a week, so I will shut the whole system down while I'm gone. Hope to have no problems when I return.

Sadoun · #6 (**permalink**) 06-19-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4Runner

Central San Joaquin Valley foothills.

Lovely place. I have visited Visalia, Lindsey, and other places at San Joaquin valley. I like the view of the montains and the olive / orange orchards over there.

msdickerson · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2006, 12:24 PM

Hi all - First posting here, and just saying hi. I think I know the answer, but I have a small 4 port Ethernet Hub for XP home networking (3 PCs), and I think I would hook the Wild Blue modem directly to that, then run each PC from that hub (10BaseT). Does that sound about right? I am not currently doing wireless at home..

Thanks in advance..

steve d
NYS

N4ST · #8 (**permalink**) 06-24-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4Runner

N4ST: I'm not familiar with the terminology you're using concerning the DNS allocation? But I do know how to use the "cmd" and the IPCONFIG commands. I will write them down and try next time.

T4Runner,

Obviously I'm not familiar with those terms either.

My memory is not that good either, but I looked them up on my Linksys menu under STATUS/Router and it is DHCP Release and DHCP Renew.

Basically, if it is an DHCP allocation problem between your computer and the router you use the DOS commands, if it is a problem between your router and WildBlue you use the Router commands.

Hope that helps, and hope you had a great vacation.

T4Runner · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N4ST

T4Runner,

Obviously I'm not familiar with those terms either.

My memory is not that good either, but I looked them up on my Linksys menu under STATUS/Router and it is DHCP Release and DHCP Renew.

Basically, if it is an DHCP allocation problem between your computer and the router you use the DOS commands, if it is a problem between your router and WildBlue you use the Router commands.

Hope that helps, and hope you had a great vacation.

Well, I'm back... You people that live on the ocean beaches must get awfull tired of wearing sweatshirts, sweaters, and coats all the time... ;>) I came back to 110 degrees at home.... Thank goodness I left the AC on...

Now that I'm back for a little while, (going back in two weeks for another week) I'll check my LinkSys software out a little better. Thanks for the feedback.

T4Runner · #10 (**permalink**) 06-25-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdickerson

Hi all - First posting here, and just saying hi. I think I know the answer, but I have a small 4 port Ethernet Hub for XP home networking (3 PCs), and I think I would hook the Wild Blue modem directly to that, then run each PC from that hub (10BaseT). Does that sound about right? I am not currently doing wireless at home..

Thanks in advance..

steve d
NYS

You are right about the router being hooked directly to the modem. Then I have another hardwire (cat5) directly to the computer next to it. My computer at the other end of the house could be hardwired also (running cat5 through the attic, 2000 degrees F in the summer!!!) or.... using the wireless G PCI adaptor I bought and plugged into my computer.

T4Runner · #11 (**permalink**) 06-25-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadoun

Lovely place. I have visited Visalia, Lindsey, and other places at San Joaquin valley. I like the view of the montains and the olive / orange orchards over there.

Those areas are about 60 miles South of me. I live farther North and at elevation 1300ft, which is above the fog and smog of the valley. Because of the rural location, the WildBlue Sat internet is a great option for me.