How to install DSL, how to install ethernet card?

[mm]

So Verizon DSL is getting cheap and it's clear IMO that my current ISP
(erols/rcn/starpower in Baltimore) is never going to have highspeed.

Verizon sent me the kit and started billing me yesterday**, but not
until I was on the last page of the Quick Start instructions and
2/3rds of the way through the CD did I learn that I can't, they say,
use the USB port, that I have to have an ethernet card.

I think I have one in the other room but haven't found it yet and I
don't think it has a software CD to go with it. Since ethernet wasn't
common iirc in 1998/9, do I need to find software somewhere else.
(The ethernet card I found on ebay had a cd to go with it.)

I know I could buy a whole card with cd for not much money, but I want
to use the card I have. Otherwise, what was the point of saving it.


Also curious why I can't just use the USB port for DSL.

The instructions in the DSL kit said I would need drivers, but the
included CD won't go down the USB path because it determined I have
win98. I know an ethernet card is just a few bucks, but it's my
curiosity and I wonder if I can get the USB drivers for Verizon DSL
off the web or straight off the kit CD, and if so, what would the file
names be, or what extension do driver files end in. (I may have known
this stuff once, but it's fading away. )

And if not, why will USB work for my memory stick and and an early
digital camera (that I just got NIB) but not for DSL, in win98 but
will work in later OSes.

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[mm]

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:05:45 -0400, mm <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

>
>The instructions in the DSL kit said I would need drivers, but the
>included CD won't go down the USB path because it determined I have
>win98. I know an ethernet card is just a few bucks, but it's my
>curiosity and I wonder if I can get the USB drivers for Verizon DSL
>off the web or straight off the kit CD, and if so, what would the file
>names be, or what extension do driver files end in. (I may have known
>this stuff once, but it's fading away. )

To add to one part of my question, I found the model number of the DSL
modem and on the included CD there was a file for that model, which
included 5 .sys files, one .cat file, one .dll file, and one .inf
file. I can give more details if they would help.

IIUC, it's possible to "execute" an .inf file, and that would install
whatever drivers are appropriate. I could copy in the whole thing if
soemone wants but it does have language for win98.

Should I do it. Can I cause myself any harm?

And why do they say that win98 requires ethernet?

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[MEB]

"mm" <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:4b26e3ds86tllnp3oolecod6c7rsdj2tqc@4ax.com...
| So Verizon DSL is getting cheap and it's clear IMO that my current ISP
| (erols/rcn/starpower in Baltimore) is never going to have highspeed.
|
| Verizon sent me the kit and started billing me yesterday**, but not
| until I was on the last page of the Quick Start instructions and
| 2/3rds of the way through the CD did I learn that I can't, they say,
| use the USB port, that I have to have an ethernet card.
|
| I think I have one in the other room but haven't found it yet and I
| don't think it has a software CD to go with it. Since ethernet wasn't
| common iirc in 1998/9, do I need to find software somewhere else.
| (The ethernet card I found on ebay had a cd to go with it.)
|
| I know I could buy a whole card with cd for not much money, but I want
| to use the card I have. Otherwise, what was the point of saving it.
|
|
| Also curious why I can't just use the USB port for DSL.
|
| The instructions in the DSL kit said I would need drivers, but the
| included CD won't go down the USB path because it determined I have
| win98. I know an ethernet card is just a few bucks, but it's my
| curiosity and I wonder if I can get the USB drivers for Verizon DSL
| off the web or straight off the kit CD, and if so, what would the file
| names be, or what extension do driver files end in. (I may have known
| this stuff once, but it's fading away. )
|
| And if not, why will USB work for my memory stick and and an early
| digital camera (that I just got NIB) but not for DSL, in win98 but
| will work in later OSes.
|
| If you are inclined to email me
| for some reason, remove NOPSAM

Perhaps you can, however, without you supplying the group with what card
you intend to use, we have no way to advise you of whether it might, or a
driver...

As for USB issues/drivers, you can download a universal driver, which will
negate [for the most part] the need to install other specific drivers.
Its called Maximus Decim Universal Driver, nusb31.exe [Win98SE only, and
USB 2.0 only].

However, USB 2.0 will use more processing power/time slices than using a
network card. USB also inflicts its own bottleneck to devices attached to
it.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________

 

[Jeff Richards]

You probably could use USB. See, for instance:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F5D5050-Networking-Ethernet-Adaptor/dp/B000062R4P

However, if you have W98 (not W98SE) then USB can be problematic. But since
you already have a network card, why bother.

You should try installing the card you have - likely W98 will find generic
drivers for it. If not, once you know the make and model number, it should
be easy to find the required drivers on the 'net.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"mm" <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:4b26e3ds86tllnp3oolecod6c7rsdj2tqc@4ax.com...
> So Verizon DSL is getting cheap and it's clear IMO that my current ISP
> (erols/rcn/starpower in Baltimore) is never going to have highspeed.
>
> Verizon sent me the kit and started billing me yesterday**, but not
> until I was on the last page of the Quick Start instructions and
> 2/3rds of the way through the CD did I learn that I can't, they say,
> use the USB port, that I have to have an ethernet card.
>
> I think I have one in the other room but haven't found it yet and I
> don't think it has a software CD to go with it. Since ethernet wasn't
> common iirc in 1998/9, do I need to find software somewhere else.
> (The ethernet card I found on ebay had a cd to go with it.)
>
> I know I could buy a whole card with cd for not much money, but I want
> to use the card I have. Otherwise, what was the point of saving it.
>
>
> Also curious why I can't just use the USB port for DSL.
>
> The instructions in the DSL kit said I would need drivers, but the
> included CD won't go down the USB path because it determined I have
> win98. I know an ethernet card is just a few bucks, but it's my
> curiosity and I wonder if I can get the USB drivers for Verizon DSL
> off the web or straight off the kit CD, and if so, what would the file
> names be, or what extension do driver files end in. (I may have known
> this stuff once, but it's fading away. )
>
> And if not, why will USB work for my memory stick and and an early
> digital camera (that I just got NIB) but not for DSL, in win98 but
> will work in later OSes.
>
> If you are inclined to email me
> for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[dadiOH]

mm wrote:

> Verizon sent me the kit and started billing me yesterday**, but not
> until I was on the last page of the Quick Start instructions and
> 2/3rds of the way through the CD did I learn that I can't, they say,
> use the USB port, that I have to have an ethernet card.
>
> I think I have one in the other room but haven't found it yet and I
> don't think it has a software CD to go with it. Since ethernet
> wasn't common iirc in 1998/9, do I need to find software somewhere
> else. (The ethernet card I found on ebay had a cd to go with it.)

When I hooked up with Verizon DSL a few years ago the modem they
included would theoretically function either with USB or NIC (ethernet
card). My preferance was USB as I had no NIC.

I don't recall if the USB worked and was lousy/unreliable or if it
never worked at all but I spent $10 for a NIC. It works.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[John Dulak]

mm wrote:
> On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:05:45 -0400, mm <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com>
> wrote:
>
>> The instructions in the DSL kit said I would need drivers, but the
>> included CD won't go down the USB path because it determined I have
>> win98. I know an ethernet card is just a few bucks, but it's my
>> curiosity and I wonder if I can get the USB drivers for Verizon DSL
>> off the web or straight off the kit CD, and if so, what would the file
>> names be, or what extension do driver files end in. (I may have known
>> this stuff once, but it's fading away. )
>
> To add to one part of my question, I found the model number of the DSL
> modem and on the included CD there was a file for that model, which
> included 5 .sys files, one .cat file, one .dll file, and one .inf
> file. I can give more details if they would help.
>
> IIUC, it's possible to "execute" an .inf file, and that would install
> whatever drivers are appropriate. I could copy in the whole thing if
> soemone wants but it does have language for win98.
>
> Should I do it. Can I cause myself any harm?
>
> And why do they say that win98 requires ethernet?
>
> If you are inclined to email me
> for some reason, remove NOPSAM


mm:

Open the .INF file using notepad (it is a pure ASCII text file) and
look for references to Windows 98.

The CD I got from Verizion (Westell 6100 Modem/Router) had Win98
drivers for USB on it though I never used it. If you have the make and
model of the NIC you should be able to find drivers for it as well.

HTH & GL

John

--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - Gnomeway Services - http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6

 

[mm]

On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 09:11:36 +1000, "Jeff Richards"
<JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote:

>You probably could use USB. See, for instance:
>http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F5D5050-Networking-Ethernet-Adaptor/dp/B000062R4P
>
>However, if you have W98 (not W98SE) then USB can be problematic. But since
>you already have a network card, why bother.

I should have said that I have SE. Sorry. I should know better.
>
>You should try installing the card you have - likely W98 will find generic
>drivers for it. If not, once you know the make and model number, it should
>be easy to find the required drivers on the 'net.

Well, I looked another place haven't found my card yet, and it's at
least 5 years old by now, maybe 10. Will that be another bottleneck?

They're selling 10/100/1000 Mbps cards now, and also at least on Ebay
10/100/ Mbps cards.

Do I need the faster one for low-speed DSL (I forget the actual
speed.)

And shouldn't I buy the faster one anyhow?

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[mm]

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:31:34 -0400, mm <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

>
>And why do they say that win98 requires ethernet?

Replying to myself, I didn't real all of this

They say a NIC is required for win98SE and strongly recommended for
all others.

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[mm]

On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 07:32:47 -0400, "dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com>
wrote:

>mm wrote:
>
>> Verizon sent me the kit and started billing me yesterday**, but not
>> until I was on the last page of the Quick Start instructions and
>> 2/3rds of the way through the CD did I learn that I can't, they say,
>> use the USB port, that I have to have an ethernet card.

>When I hooked up with Verizon DSL a few years ago the modem they
>included would theoretically function either with USB or NIC (ethernet
>card). My preferance was USB as I had no NIC.
>
>I don't recall if the USB worked and was lousy/unreliable or if it
>never worked at all but I spent $10 for a NIC. It works.

When I read the instructions more closely, it says that a NIC is
required for win98SE and strongly recommended for all others.

There are so many problems with their Quick Start instructions, it's
amazing.

On page 2 under "CD Contents" it says "This CD does not contain any
software for your computer".

At the bottom of page 5, it says "Note: If you want to connect your
computer [using USB], you must use the enclosed CD to install software
drivers"

After CD Contents, there are three steps listed:
Step 1: Install filters page 2
Step 2: Install modem page 4
Step 3: Account setup page 6

Finally at the very end, the bottom of page 7, it says, at the very
end of the FAQ: I plan to connect via USB. Should I connect the
hardware first? No, it says, insert the CD first. The CD contains
drivers that are needed for the USB option to work properly.
Connecting the hardware first may cause your computer to use a USB
driver that does not commicate correctly with the modem or router.

Why didn't it say that before someone installs the filters, modems and
connects in order to do account setup?

And it doesn't say how to undo the driver problem that the bad
instructions helped create.

Oh, yeah, and then the Spanish starts, also for 7 pages, but then
there is more English hidden after that on page 15, where it says you
can't use USB after all if you have win98. It never said that before.
And that ethernet is strongly recommended for all others.

Even though they didn't warn me when I signed up several days ago that
I needed an ethernet card. I could have had one by now.


And nowhere does it say whether to run the phone line to the DSL modem
through the surge suppressor first. When I called (for other reasons)
she didn't know anything about a surge suppressor. So I said, What if
the lightning ruins the modem? She said that the hardware was
guaranteed, and then added "for one year".


And yet the front cover says "Just 3 steps....That's all there is to
it."

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[Jeff Richards]

The older it is the more likely that Windows 98 will recognise it.

What's the manufacturer and model? If there really isn't anything
available for that particular card, then the chance is it's an exact copy of
some other card.

What speed is your internet connection? Unless you are planning on some
other networking, you don't need anything faster than what your connection
to the 'net needs.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"mm" <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:0fi8e3h7q65q1hibltsmuhgejf86foo8va@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 09:11:36 +1000, "Jeff Richards"
> <JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote:
>
>>You probably could use USB. See, for instance:
>>http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F5D5050-Networking-Ethernet-Adaptor/dp/B000062R4P
>>
>>However, if you have W98 (not W98SE) then USB can be problematic. But
>>since
>>you already have a network card, why bother.
>
> I should have said that I have SE. Sorry. I should know better.
>>
>>You should try installing the card you have - likely W98 will find generic
>>drivers for it. If not, once you know the make and model number, it
>>should
>>be easy to find the required drivers on the 'net.
>
> Well, I looked another place haven't found my card yet, and it's at
> least 5 years old by now, maybe 10. Will that be another bottleneck?
>
> They're selling 10/100/1000 Mbps cards now, and also at least on Ebay
> 10/100/ Mbps cards.
>
> Do I need the faster one for low-speed DSL (I forget the actual
> speed.)
>
> And shouldn't I buy the faster one anyhow?
>
> If you are inclined to email me
> for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[dadiOH]

mm wrote:

> Oh, yeah, and then the Spanish starts, also for 7 pages, but then
> there is more English hidden after that on page 15, where it says
> you can't use USB after all if you have win98. It never said that
> before. And that ethernet is strongly recommended for all others.
>
> Even though they didn't warn me when I signed up several days ago
> that I needed an ethernet card. I could have had one by now.

Just out of curiosity, is there a jack on the modem that says USB?


--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[mm]

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:48:53 -0400, "dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com>
wrote:

>mm wrote:
>
>> Oh, yeah, and then the Spanish starts, also for 7 pages, but then
>> there is more English hidden after that on page 15, where it says
>> you can't use USB after all if you have win98. It never said that
>> before. And that ethernet is strongly recommended for all others.
>>
>> Even though they didn't warn me when I signed up several days ago
>> that I needed an ethernet card. I could have had one by now.
>
>Just out of curiosity, is there a jack on the modem that says USB?

Yeah, there is. And it comes with a USB cord in the modem box too.


If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[dadiOH]

mm wrote:
> On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:48:53 -0400, "dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com>
> wrote:
>
>> mm wrote:
>>
>>> Oh, yeah, and then the Spanish starts, also for 7 pages, but then
>>> there is more English hidden after that on page 15, where it says
>>> you can't use USB after all if you have win98. It never said that
>>> before. And that ethernet is strongly recommended for all others.
>>>
>>> Even though they didn't warn me when I signed up several days ago
>>> that I needed an ethernet card. I could have had one by now.
>>
>> Just out of curiosity, is there a jack on the modem that says USB?
>
> Yeah, there is. And it comes with a USB cord in the modem box too.

Then my supposition is that there are also USB drivers on the CD (not
hard to check) but they were having problems with Win98 users trying
to use USB so they stuck in the "use NIC card" admonition to save
themselves grief. I agree with them.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[w_tom]

On Sep 10, 11:39 am, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:48:53 -0400, "dadiOH" <dad...@guesswhere.com>
> wrote:
> >Just out of curiosity, is there a jack on the modem that says USB?
>
> Yeah, there is. And it comes with a USB cord in the modem box too.

USB for Windows 98 was rather kludgy and does not support USB 2.0.
That DSL modem probably requires USB 2.0 since USB 1 is only limited
to data transfers from things like floppy disks and keyboards.

The phone line already has a 'whole house' protector installed for
free. Earthing defines the protection. A protector adjacent to the
DSL modem may simply earth surges through the electronics (has no
dedicated earthing wire) and could adversely impact DSL signals. If
you are worried about surges, then you need the tens of times cheaper
solution that even the telco uses in their own facilities - a 'whole
house' protector at the AC electric box.

For Windows 98, the Ethernet card (NIC) is the only viable
solution. Reasons why would be obvious to those with sufficient
technical knowledge to understand Windows 98, USB, and how DSL works.

Simply plug the NIC into computer and start computer. NIC
installation should be obvious and simple. Then learn what the lights
are reporting on DSL modem to better learn what you have AND to have
information sufficient for quick failure resolutions.

 

[bud--]

On Sep 10, 12:25 pm, w_tom <w_t...@usa.net> wrote:
> On Sep 10, 11:39 am, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>
> The phone line already has a 'whole house' protector installed for
> free. Earthing defines the protection. A protector adjacent to the
> DSL modem may simply earth surges through the electronics (has no
> dedicated earthing wire) and could adversely impact DSL signals. If
> you are worried about surges, then you need the tens of times cheaper
> solution that even the telco uses in their own facilities - a 'whole
> house' protector at the AC electric box.

w_ can't figure out how plug-in suppressors work.

For accurate information on surges and surge suppression read a guide
from the IEEE at:
http://omegaps.com/Lightning Guide_FINALpublishedversion_May051.pdf
Or a simpler guide from the NIST at:
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf

mm is correct that both power and signal wires for protected equipment
need to run through the plug-in suppressor. And all interconnected
equipment needs to be connected to the same suppressor.

--
bud--

 

[mm]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:08:05 -0700, bud-- <budnews@isp.com> wrote:

>On Sep 10, 12:25 pm, w_tom <w_t...@usa.net> wrote:
>> On Sep 10, 11:39 am, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>>
>> The phone line already has a 'whole house' protector installed for
>> free.

Are you sure? Then all these phone line surge suppressors are just a
waste of money?

>Earthing defines the protection.

But my house is no better than most, and afaik everyone is urged to
run the phone line, to a modem at least, through a surge suppressor
(not just the AC).

I think I lost a modem once before I started doing this for the modem.
But now both the UPS and the AC power distribution box that sits
underneath the monitor have a telephone line surge suppressors built
in and I'm using one of them.

>> A protector adjacent to the
>> DSL modem may simply earth surges through the electronics (has no
>> dedicated earthing wire) and could adversely impact DSL signals. If

That would be bad. But what do cautious people do? It would be worth
some speed loss, depending on how much, to protect the dsl modem,
especailly after that year's guarantee has run out. But even if
guaranteed, who wants to wait until they send me another one?

I'll have to keep my dial-up modem nearby for when the dsl modem is
fried.

>> you are worried about surges, then you need the tens of times cheaper
>> solution that even the telco uses in their own facilities - a 'whole
>> house' protector at the AC electric box.

AC electric box? For the AC? I've read about that on alt.home.repair
and they are not so cheap. But my DSL modem is going to plug into
the UPS which has AC surge suppression.

>w_ can't figure out how plug-in suppressors work.
>
>For accurate information on surges and surge suppression read a guide
>from the IEEE at:
>http://omegaps.com/Lightning Guide_FINALpublishedversion_May051.pdf
>Or a simpler guide from the NIST at:
>http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf
>
>mm is correct that both power and signal wires for protected equipment
>need to run through the plug-in suppressor. And all interconnected
>equipment needs to be connected to the same suppressor.

So that's another flaw in the instructions that come in the Verizon
DSL manual and CD, because nothing is mentioned about surge
suppressoin. And the customer service woman sounded like she had
never heard of it.

The modem is extermal to the PC. Does that keep the surge from going
past the modem, or past the NIC card, into the computer mobo?

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[mm]

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:57:08 +1000, "Jeff Richards"
<JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote:

>The older it is the more likely that Windows 98 will recognise it.
>
>What's the manufacturer and model? If there really isn't anything
>available for that particular card, then the chance is it's an exact copy of
>some other card.

Good to know for next time. I couldn't find mine, so I ended up
buying one from ebay. Sometimes they deliver so quickly that it's
easier than gooing to the store. But now I see I bought from some low
volume seller, who hasn't even emailed me to say she's shipping. With
shipping it's less than 8 dollars, so she's probably not going to
rush. OTOH, she's sold 400 things and has a 100% rating, so maybe it
will come tomorrow.

I should have noted this before I bid "Will usually ship within 4
business days of receiving cleared payment." Ooops.

I may get impatient and buy one locally, and then when I find the one
I already have, that will be 3!

>What speed is your internet connection? Unless you are planning on some
>other networking, you don't need anything faster than what your connection
>to the 'net needs.

700 Kpbs, iirc. So the slower is ok. Of course now that I may have 2
or 3 nic cards, maybe I should set up another computer and netork it.,
But it will still be fasst enough.

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM

 

[w_tom]

On Sep 11, 5:36 pm, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:08:05 -0700, bud-- <budn...@isp.com> wrote:
> >On Sep 10, 12:25 pm, w_tom <w_t...@usa.net> wrote:
> >> On Sep 10, 11:39 am, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>>> The phone line already has a 'whole house' protector installed for
>>> free.
>
> Are you sure? Then all these phone line surge suppressors are just a
> waste of money?
>
>>Earthing defines the protection.
>
> But my house is no better than most, and afaik everyone is urged to
> run the phone line, to a modem at least, through a surge suppressor
> (not just the AC).
>
> I think I lost a modem once before I started doing this for the modem.
> But now both the UPS and the AC power distribution box that sits
> underneath the monitor have a telephone line surge suppressors built
> in and I'm using one of them.

You have posted a popular urban myth. Who urges running a wire
through a protector? Myth purveyors or science? Science well proven
in the 1930s will be discussed.

Appreciate how a modem is more often damaged. Surge enters on wires
highest on utility poles. That is AC electric. A surge must first
form an electrical current through everything in that path to earth
ground. Electricity does not flow like an ocean wave. Current flows
through everything simultaneously.

The path: incoming on AC electric. Into computer motherboard (made
easier when a protector is adjacent to that computer). Out computer
via modem. To earth ground on phone line. Why earth via the phone
line? That phone line has an earthed 'whole house' protector.
Protector connects phone line to earth ground during a surge.

Surge has found a path to earth. Later something in that electrical
path is destroyed. Weakest point in that path is often on telephone
line side of a modem.

To have damage, the surge (electricity) must first have both an
incoming and outgoing path through electronics. An incoming path and
no outgoing path means no current and no surge damage.

Many assume surges enter like waves on a beach. Many assume a surge
must have entered on phone line because modem damage was on phone line
side. IOW they ignore what was even taught in primary school
science. If a current exists, the current is flowing simultaneously -
both on the incoming side and outgoing side of that modem. Which side
suffers damage? Which side has a weakest component in that
connection?

Will a protector stop what three miles of sky could not? That is
what they claim when a wire connects *through* a protector. Reality.
Nothing but a direct connection is between that incoming and outgoing
wire. Test it with a meter. It is a direct connection from the
incoming and outgoing wire jacks. Where is the protection? That
protector does not sit between your DSL modem and phone line absorbing
or stopping surges. That protector component connects like it was
another telephone on the phone line. That protector is effective if
the other side connects short to earth ground.

Worse, they can charge excessively because so many *believe* myths
rather than learn the science. Take a $3 power strip. Add some $0.10
parts. Sell it for $25 or $100. With profit margins that excessive,
then more important is to have Bud promoting those myths. They cannot
afford to have you learn about earthing. Bud will not discuss the
manufacturer's spec sheets. Why? No claim of effective protection
from each type of surge. Why do they forget to provide protection
numbers? A plug-in protector is being promoted on myths and half
truths - with massive profits. Massive profits and no numerical
protection specs. That is effective protection?

Where does that telephone line protector discuss earth ground? It
does not. Where does that telephone line plug-in protector have a
dedicated earthing wire? Another indicator of ineffective
protection. No earthing wire? No discussion of earthing? Both
identify ineffective protectors.

Why does your telco not use plug-in protectors inside facilities
that can never suffer damage? Plug-in protectors have a history of
contributing to electronics damage. Telco needs protection that works
AND that costs tens of times (maybe 100 times) less money. Telco uses
the same type protector that is also installed inside your NID - for
free. But that same protector will be even better inside the telco
switching computer building - the CO. Why? Telco installs a
massively superior earth ground in that building. A protector is only
as effective as its earth ground.

To make that protector even better, telco increases distance between
protector and electronics. Separation may be as much as 50 meters.
Separation between protector and electronics means even better
protection. Where is a plug-in protector? Only one or two meters
away? Just another reason why plug-in protectors are ineffective.

That earth ground must meet and exceed post 1990 National
Electrical Code requirements. Does your earthing even meet 1990 code?

Responsible manufacturers such as Siemens, Cutler-Hammer,
Intermatic, Leviton, Square D and GE make a 'whole house' protector
for AC electric that has a dedicated earthing wire. Protector that
costs about $1 per protected appliance. How much for a plug-in
protector that does not even claim (in numeric specs) to protect from
the typically destructive type of surge? Oh. It protects from one
type of surge. Therefore it protects from all types of surges? No
earth ground wire on that plug-in protector (or UPS) does what? Where
does it divert the surge energy? Where is the surge dissipated?
Where is the 'less than 10 foot' earthing connection?

A protector is only as effective as its earth ground. Myth
purveyors will avoid all discussion about earthing to promote
ineffective plug-in protectors. View manufacturer specs for your
UPS. Where does it list protection for each type of surge? Why no
claim? Notice the missing earthing wire.

 

[w_tom]

On Sep 11, 5:36 pm, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
> The modem is extermal to the PC. Does that keep the surge from going
> past the modem, or past the NIC card, into the computer mobo?

Do you really believe a protector will stop or absorb what three
miles of sky could not stop? Effective protectors don't stop or
absorb anything. Effective protectors shunt / divert / connect /
clamp / bond that surge to earth. An earthed surge has no reason to
find earth ground, destructively, via household appliances.

Only myths claim to block or absorb surges. Effective protection
even in the 1930s shunted / diverted surges to earth ground ... which
is why the protector is only as effective as its earthing connection.

Only myth purveyors claim to stop surges completely ignore
earthing. Profits are too high to be honest.

 

[mm]

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:24:41 -0700, w_tom <w_tom1@usa.net> wrote:

>On Sep 11, 5:36 pm, mm <NOPSAMmm2...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>> The modem is extermal to the PC. Does that keep the surge from going
>> past the modem, or past the NIC card, into the computer mobo?
>
> Do you really believe a protector will stop or absorb what three
>miles of sky could not stop?

Well of course none of the surge suppressors can stop the actual
lightning bolt, which can take a convoluted path, even on occasion
going through people who are in a house.

Surge suppressors are meant to suppress voltage spikes that are
induced in conductors that are near the lightning. These spikes
occur in a wide range of voltages, and suppressors can stop or bypass
many of them.

One way to protect equipment connected to a phone line would be with
one of the semiconductors (I forget the name) that have high
resistance with normal voltages (whatever is normal for device as
normally used), and much lower resistance when voltage gets much
higher. This could be used to short the tip and ring of a phone line,
sending any spike back to the phone company, where they have either
better surge grounding, higher quality components, or where they will
replace any parts that get ruined.

The details of how many lightning strikes create surges and spikes in
the ranges that can be stopped by suppressors of various cost and
quality is far beyond my ability to learn, or to remember, if I had
learned them. And whether I should use a surpressor on this DSL line,
I don't know for certain.

But I don't believe that spikes are a myth, or that they can't be
surprressed.

> Effective protectors don't stop or
>absorb anything. Effective protectors shunt / divert / connect /
>clamp / bond that surge to earth. An earthed surge has no reason to
>find earth ground, destructively, via household appliances.
>
> Only myths claim to block or absorb surges. Effective protection
>even in the 1930s shunted / diverted surges to earth ground ... which
>is why the protector is only as effective as its earthing connection.
>
> Only myth purveyors claim to stop surges completely ignore
>earthing. Profits are too high to be honest.


If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM