E* CSR called me - low signals

[david_jr]

E* CSR called me today and said that they had detected I had low signals and they want to send a tech to the house to fix for free. Is this legit? I have had big time problems with snow/rain fade, but not so bad in clear weather. Does my receiver report back all the problems somehow? Is there a catch and they're trying to sell me something? They're sending someone on Monday.

[solmakou]

these phone calls do go out, I recommend calling dish network via a number that you have in your billing information to verify just in case!

[coldsteel]

No, it's actually legit. Your receiver is reporting signal loss over the phone line, and there's enough reports that Dish is being proactive.

[david_jr]

No, it's actually legit. Your receiver is reporting signal loss over the phone line, and there's enough reports that Dish is being proactive.

Thanks coldsteel. FWIW last night I was trying to watch Masters on DVR and about every 1 to 2 minutes the reciever interrupted saying I lost sat on whatever channel the receiver was tuned to. tried changing to channels on all 3 sats 110/119/61.5, but it kept doing it and it was quite aggravating. Interestingling some shows were recorded during that time and they were fine.:confused:

[GrumpyBear]

Just about a Year ago, I received the same call. 3 days later, they came on site and put in a brand new Dish and even ran new cables. Talk about ProActive customer support, take care of a problem before the user even notices.

[solmakou]

And some people still refuse to attached their receivers to a phone line/internet connection!

[stormchaser09]

And some people still refuse to attached their receivers to a phone line/internet connection!


not to be smart, but some people like myself can't efford a land
line,and the way i understand it the 625 dvr dial out won't work
on a dry dsl line,even though my caller id works,i didn't know this
when i sighed up with dish two weeks ago or i would have went with directv,
i think this is just another way for dish to make 5 bucks more a month
from their customer's,if direct doesn't need a phone line connected
then they must have a better system.but to late now i'm stuck for two years.

[ehb224]

not to be smart, but some people like myself can't efford a land
line

You can afford SAT tv but you can't afford a phone? :confused:

[chainblu]

i think this is just another way for dish to make 5 bucks more a month


It doesn't matter which provider you use, YOU are still going to pay $5 for the 2nd room.

[Michael P]

not to be smart, but some people like myself can't efford a land
line,and the way i understand it the 625 dvr dial out won't work
on a dry dsl line,even though my caller id works,i didn't know this
when i sighed up with dish two weeks ago or i would have went with directv,
i think this is just another way for dish to make 5 bucks more a month
from their customer's,if direct doesn't need a phone line connected
then they must have a better system.but to late now i'm stuck for two years.
E* dumped the $5 no phone line fee in Feb. as part of the latest price increase. Maybe it's only if you have DVR Advantage, but there is now a way to avoid the fee on dual tuner boxes. If you have separate boxes OTOH the fee still applies. This fee is there to keep their customers honest, otherwise someone could authorize a box and give it to someone at a different address.

If you have a single tuner and only one box you don't have to have the phone line connected.

BTW: I wonder if anyone tried a "Magic Jack" to connect their satellite box? After all it provides a dial tone and uses standard telephone equipment to dial out.

[GrumpyBear]

,even though my caller id works

How does your caller ID work, if you don't have a landline?

[solmakou]

How does your caller ID work, if you don't have a landline?

Magic.

Better question, why is someone calling a DSL dry line?

[stormchaser09]

How does your caller ID work, if you don't have a landline?

this is the way i'm setup, dry dsl from att,voip that runs off the dsl for
home phone,1 dish 625 duel tunner and 2 room setup with no box on 2nd
tv in the bedroom,and phone line running running out of the voip box
with spliter 1line to phone and 1 line to the 625 dvr.for the caller id

[GrumpyBear]

this is the way i'm setup, dry dsl from att,voip that runs off the dsl for
home phone,1 dish 625 duel tunner and 2 room setup with no box on 2nd
tv in the bedroom,and phone line running running out of the voip box
with spliter 1line to phone and 1 line to the 625 dvr.for the caller id
What VOIP box are you using? I understand the Dry DSL(DSL DIRECT from ATT), I have a friend that use that service. I use VOIP service, works just fine with my ViP622's. Was wondering what VOIP box/Service(yes this is your landline) you are using.
Were I have a phone number for my DSL line(I could save $8 by doing the DSL Direct, I use number for any and all business I deal with, including Dish Network, nice way to screen), that number comes in on one par in the house, and the DSL comes in on a different pair into the house, and the VOIP is all we use for the house phone calls.

[Henry]

OK, I'm ignorant enough to bite... What is a DSL Dry Line? ... and isn't this a restriction that E* can overcome with software? (Not that I expect them to since I'm still waiting for them to "overcome" the sleep timer issues with the Seagate EHDs. :rolleyes:)

[GrumpyBear]

OK, I'm ignorant enough to bite... What is a DSL Dry Line? ... and isn't this a restriction that E* can overcome with software? (Not that I expect them to since I'm still waiting for them to "overcome" the sleep timer issues with the Seagate EHDs. :rolleyes:)
Dry DSL, or in the Case of ATT, its just called DSL Direct. You just don't get your standard phone line along with your DSL service. You save $8-$10.

In my case when I looked at about a year ago and even double checked today, its a $8 savings or so. I pay 13.50 flat Rate, I have no long distance or any service with my phone line. All the Surcharges, Government Fees and Tax's are still the same, with the DSL direct service. In my case I have Elite DSL, fastest they go, and get it for 34.99.

If I dropped the phone line that comes with the DSL line and Go DSL Direct, I would drop the 13.50 Flat Rate, but the Elite service goes from 34.99 to 45.00.
Its a savings, but the $8 I could save, I just use the number for all Credit Cards, Car loan, Super Markets, Dish Network, SDGE(Power) you name the monthly bill or company they have the number I have had, that goes back to the days were 28.8k Modems were FAST. No business has my Vonage number, only family and friends. Wife and kids know anytime they fill out paperwork info on something they use that number. I haven't lost a phone call off the Home/Business answering machines in YEARS, and with Teenage Girls(Heck Teenage anything) missed messages or deleted messages can( I guess I should say WILL) happen.

I have used Vonage from almost the Beginning of thier Service, and I have 2 ViP 622's plugged into the Vonage Box, and no issues at all. Last year when I had the same problem(going on 18 months), it was the Vonage line plugged into the 622, but dish called my back on the number they have on my billing info. So I am wondering what VOIP service he is using as Vonage works just fine with Dish.

http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=11523
Try that link

[Henry]

Thanks, GB ... u da man!

I have Qwest DSL and phone service - that's all that's up here that doesn't need some sort of line-of-sight (microwave or satellite). In other words, it's the only hard-wired service available to me.

I've never heard of the dry line term, and I don't recall Qwest mentioning me having a special phone line. As I understand it, the phone jack extension gizmo plugged into a wall outlet doesn't work for Dish. I can confirm that, even though they were the ones who sold me one.

Since I'm experiencing the same problem as stormchaser; that is Caller ID works fine, but my 622 can't call in, I'm wondering what other similarities there are between his/her AT&T line and my Qwest line?

[cj9788]

E* dumped the $5 no phone line fee in Feb. as part of the latest price increase. Maybe it's only if you have DVR Advantage, but there is now a way to avoid the fee on dual tuner boxes.

Is this correct the only reason I connected my 625 was to avoid the phone fee. I have 3 510's and have NEVER connected them to a phone line. I maybe risking an audit call but all my receivers are at the same address.

I never wanted to connect the 625 but hated the fee. Does any one know if I remove the phone line now E* wont charge the fee? I hate calling customer noservice they can be a waste of time.

I do not like the phone line because of the spy factor. Remember the janet jackson boob gate? TIVO was quick to point out that JJ's boob was the most rewound event in TIVO history at least at that time it was. I do not like the idea that E* knows what I rewind and when I skip commercials. I do not know if the 625 telsl them that kind of info but then again I did not know it told E* when I lost a signal either.

[Henry]

According to my on-line statement, the $5 fee is still being assessed if you have a dual-TV reciever/DVR and neither is connected full-time to a phone line.

[SaltiDawg]

...I do not like the idea that E* knows what I rewind and when I skip commercials. ...
:rolleyes:

And who says E* does? :sure:

[BNUMM]

If you get a DVR Advantage package they will waive the $5.00 on the first Dual Tuner DVR (does not apply to non-DVR Dual Tuners) on an account.

[cj9788]

:rolleyes:

And who says E* does? :sure:



And who says they do not. ;)

Fact is I do not know one way or the other, so I presume the worst.




If you get a DVR Advantage package they will waive the $5.00 on the first Dual Tuner DVR (does not apply to non-DVR Dual Tuners) on an account.

I would never get any package or deal from E*, I called about some special & they wanted a two year comittment and my SSN. I declined. I like it the way it is I own my equipment they send me a bill and I pay it. If i ever get too worried about the phone line I will pay the 5 bucks.

[stormchaser09]

What VOIP box are you using? I understand the Dry DSL(DSL DIRECT from ATT), I have a friend that use that service. I use VOIP service, works just fine with my ViP622's. Was wondering what VOIP box/Service(yes this is your landline) you are using.
Were I have a phone number for my DSL line(I could save $8 by doing the DSL Direct, I use number for any and all business I deal with, including Dish Network, nice way to screen), that number comes in on one par in the house, and the DSL comes in on a different pair into the house, and the VOIP is all we use for the house phone calls.


i have the linksys box from (quantium voice,my phone bill is 12.95/mo)
my att wireless router is for internet only,(my internet bill is 44.95) for
a total of 57.90, if i had a land line though att my phone bill alone would
be more the 50.00 w/no extra's.

[stormchaser09]

OK, I'm ignorant enough to bite... What is a DSL Dry Line? ... and isn't this a restriction that E* can overcome with software? (Not that I expect them to since I'm still waiting for them to "overcome" the sleep timer issues with the Seagate EHDs. :rolleyes:)

internet service though phone line w/no calling(in or out) capibility's.
the voip from quantium voice is my phone that runs off my internet,
if the internet goes out so does my phone.

[GrumpyBear]

i have the linksys box from (quantium voice,my phone bill is 12.95/mo)
my att wireless router is for internet only,(my internet bill is 44.95) for
a total of 57.90, if i had a land line though att my phone bill alone would
be more the 50.00 w/no extra's.
So your land line is supplied by Quantim Voice. Have you talked with them to see why the Dish 625 is having problems getting dial tone? I use Vonage, and both ViP622's work just fine with Vonage VOIP.
Looks like we both have AT&T's elite package, yours is $45, and mine is $35, but I have to add 13.50 to the total as I kept the phone line as well, just for Business stuff, the ViP's only know the Vonage phone line. Granted there are tax's and stuff that make our final prices different but not by much.
I would Talk with the Quantim Voice People and see what they can do to help you out. Let them know it works fine if you use Vonage.

[stormchaser09]

So your land line is supplied by Quantim Voice. Have you talked with them to see why the Dish 625 is having problems getting dial tone? I use Vonage, and both ViP622's work just fine with Vonage VOIP.
Looks like we both have AT&T's elite package, yours is $45, and mine is $35, but I have to add 13.50 to the total as I kept the phone line as well, just for Business stuff, the ViP's only know the Vonage phone line. Granted there are tax's and stuff that make our final prices different but not by much.
I would Talk with the Quantim Voice People and see what they can do to help you out. Let them know it works fine if you use Vonage.

the way i understand it from quantumvoice is, the 625 does reconize
the dialtone,but it wants to dial out in fax mode,the quantumvoice box
will and is fax capitable but it needs a *code that dish does not build
in before it tries to dialout. i cant use vonage because the don't have local number's for this area.

[GrumpyBear]

the way i understand it from quantumvoice is, the 625 does reconize
the dialtone,but it wants to dial out in fax mode,the quantumvoice box
will and is fax capitable but it needs a *code that dish does not build
in before it tries to dialout. i cant use vonage because the don't have local number's for this area.
Have you posted in the hardware area? Maybe somebody will notice it the thread and ask about the 625 dailing out like a fax. Sorry that doesn't make sense. I wasn't saying to move to Vonage, just ask the QuantumVoice guys why it works on Vonage, but not with there system.

[DustoMan]

the way i understand it from quantumvoice is, the 625 does reconize
the dialtone,but it wants to dial out in fax mode,the quantumvoice box
will and is fax capitable but it needs a *code that dish does not build
in before it tries to dialout. i cant use vonage because the don't have local number's for this area.

Isn't there a setting to tell the 625 to dial a prefix before making the call home? I could have sworn I've seen that setting somewhere.

EDIT: Just checked the tech portal, you can set the 625 to dial the *code by going: Menu - 6 - 1 - 4.

[stormchaser09]

Isn't there a setting to tell the 625 to dial a prefix before making the call home? I could have sworn I've seen that setting somewhere.

EDIT: Just checked the tech portal, you can set the 625 to dial the *code by going: Menu - 6 - 1 - 4.

yes there is i have put it in, i ck the next bill to see if that fee is still on there

[GrumpyBear]

yes there is i have put it in, i ck the next bill to see if that fee is still on there

Do the phone line test, now. That way you don't have to wait a month.

[coldsteel]

Do the phone line test, now. That way you don't have to wait a month.


The fee still will not drop off until the day before his bill prints. But, yes, force that dialout ASAP.

[GrumpyBear]

The fee still will not drop off until the day before his bill prints. But, yes, force that dialout ASAP.
Thats what I meant, just do the test, that way you know if the phone line works now, instead having to wait a month.

[david_jr]

Sorry to interupt, but, the tech did not show up today. Local dispatch center advised me he got tied up on a job and will come tomorrow afternoon. We'll see.

[GrumpyBear]

Sorry to interupt, but, the tech did not show up today. Local dispatch center advised me he got tied up on a job and will come tomorrow afternoon. We'll see.
I hope they called you so you didn't waste to much time.
Post what happens tomorrow.

[iceman3233]

Dishnet uses a software application to compile various receiver reports. It does not inculde ANY personal information.... It gives a general set top box health summary so yes they are proactive in some sense. As far as the VOIP try a prefix of *99 that should work with any VOIP svc.

[stormchaser09]

ok with no code, i went to sys.setup diagnostics,hit connection,screen said testing connection,then said,phone connection ok,hit dial out, screen
said no dialout pending.hit counter's and a lot of info came up,i didn't hit
send status, not sure what that does.so does this mean i'm ok or should
i put the *99 code in and try it again. sorry i took this thread out of context.

[GrumpyBear]

ok with no code, i went to sys.setup diagnostics,hit connection,screen said testing connection,then said,phone connection ok,hit dial out, screen
said no dialout pending.hit counter's and a lot of info came up,i didn't hit
send status, not sure what that does.so does this mean i'm ok or should
i put the *99 code in and try it again. sorry i took this thread out of context.

Put the code in and make sure you get a successful, dial out connection test, not just a dial tone test.
Hijacking of the thread to help solve a problem, and sharing more info around, I don't see as an issue.
Granted I am NOT a moderator so, what I think doesn't really matter. 2 pages deep though and no Moderator has said anything, so I think its still safe.

[coldsteel]

Do the send status.

[stormchaser09]

Do the send status.

send test worked the first time failed the 2nd.maybe it didn't have nothing to send 30min. later.

[stormchaser09]

You can afford SAT tv but you can't afford a phone? :confused:

i can afford to pay $2.00/gal for gas, but if the station down the street
has it for $1.79/gal that's where i buy it.............don't you?

[david_jr]

I hope they called you so you didn't waste to much time.
Post what happens tomorrow.

Tech showed up albeit a bit late. He said that I am not in his general work area, but they are short techs and that's why he got me. He said they are very busy with installs and upgrades and need at least 3 more techs and are training 1 right now. Told him I heard Dish wasn't doing that good. He said that he doesn't know where I'm getting my info, but he is crazy busy.

Any back on topic. He looked at my signal levels on TV. He said I have good 119 signals, good 61.5 signals and am a bit low on 110. Wanted to know exactly what problems I have been seeing. Told him that I have been suffering dropped signal in rain/snow storms. He said that is normal and part of the deal. I told him I never got those kind of dropouts on my Superdish. I said it goes out when its cloudy and only light rain or drizzle. He said it might be a connection. I told him I thought that it was because I was pointed at trees. So we went up on the roof. He agreed with me that the 61.5 dish is pointed right at trees. He said he wouldn't have put it there. He praised the installation other than that said it was beautiful. As far as 110 goes he said it could be pointing issue or LNB could be bad. We tried to find a place on the roof where there is LOS to 61.5 he said there really wasn't good LOS. It was about dark by then. He said that he will have them reschedule me and send someone to relocate my 61.5 dish. He said it could go up to 150 ft from 110/119 dish. That's it for now.

[david_jr]

Scheduled for 8AM to noon today.

[david_jr]

Scheduled for 8AM to noon today.

Good day. Techs came and replaced LNB for 110/119 and tweaked the pointing just a bit, they moved my 61.5 dish to about the only spot on the roof where it can see over the trees to the south, and they replaced my VIP 722 because he said there was something in one of the diagnostic screens telling him that the hard drive was failing. We now have signal levels in the mid 70's low 80's on all birds and everything seems to be working well and I am a happy camper. I had a hard drive that I was planning to use as a DVR expander. Tech suggested now a good time to move some recordings off old 722 and save them. Installed the hard drive my self, simple, easy and painless, enabled it and moved several recordings over. Very slick. Overall a very good experience. Techs didn't have a spare 722 with them so they met me later in the day in town and we did the swap and I installed it myself. I have to say I got a very good CSR when activating, although CSR cleary had a thick Indian accent, she seemed very knowledgeable and explained things to me each step of the way. Dish really did right by me today. Now I have to wait till it rains to see how it goes when its raining.:D

[coldsteel]

Good to hear!