AT&T DSL now says "no can do" to Linux users...

[k4sgt]

I just wanted to let any potential AT&T DSL customers know that you will absolutely have to have a windows junker laying around if you wish to set up your new AT&T DSL service. I just got back from a friends house whom I had recently converted to Linux (yea!). He had just received a brand new Motorola 2210 DSL modem furnished by AT&T and I was all set to manually configure it so that he could enjoy the wonders of the Internet. The only problem is that they have changed their system. Before, you ordered the service and they told you what your username and password were. A Linux user would then enter this info into the new router manually and everything would be fine. But now their policy is to have you choose your username and password VIA software (not a simple web interface). I called in to customer service to request that they manually provide me with a username and they absolutely refused to do it citing that the new system did not provide a way for them to do so. I then asked them if they were not interested in the money that me and my Linux friends were paying for their services. They just kept saying that I needed a windows machine to set up the account. I finally gave in and used a virtual machine XP install that I have on my laptop for school, but this is totally crap that I had to do that just to get the provided modem onto their network. Let this be a warning to everyone that AT&T not only doesn't support Linux (we knew that), they won't let you use their service until you can find a "supported" operating system to put on your machine. Of course, after you have set up your account you can use whatever makes you happy. The point here is that AT&T is a FrEaKiNg ISP and the modem setup should have nothing to do with what your preferred OS is. Do me a favor and give them a call and let them know how bad their choice (to block Linux users) was.

[dmizer]

Moved to the community cafe. This doesn't appear to be a support request, more like an announcement.

-BT SK

[k4sgt]

Oops...sorry about posting in the wrong category. I thought that someone may soon be searching in networking about how to setup a Motorola 2210 (newly shipping with AT&T DSL) along with their Ubuntu box.

[chris4585]

I use AT&T, last Sunday (17th of Aug) I had to setup a motorola modem, I had to reset my password of course but I didn't have to use any software... I went to their site they told me to go to, and reset my password. logged in my modem setup my router and went on my marry way..

EDIT: I just checked my model of my motorola and it is 2210-02-1006

maybe they're doing this after that date? If so, I hate AT&T even more now, but at the same time It doesnt matter too much since i do have a windows box on my network


Before, you ordered the service and they told you what your username and password were. A Linux user would then enter this info into the new router manually

Don't you mean modem?

continuing on thought... I've had AT&T for a while now.. my user was created a long time ago, and I don't need to make a new one, I think I misunderstood you by user name / password after reading over

[Dragonbite]

A while ago I got DSL and noticed a similar thing. Their web site for signing in does not fully play well with Firefox and that is a massive shame.

Although, this may change in the future as IE tries to get back to standards (and not their own) with IE 8 and Firefox improves their browser.

Since this is ONLY regarding setting up your account though, it does not have to be from your home computer, this can be from any computer (work's, library's, friend's, etc.). Once you have your username and password you can use Firefox to update the modem (or modem/router).

I've found if I look through documentation for Mac customers there is usually some additional information that may be useful wiht Linux.

Otherwise, yes.. it sucks.

Is there a good place to send AT&T DSL team an email? If everybody in the Ubuntu forums alone who use AT&T DSL were to send a civil, but firm letter they may think they should open up some.

And remind them, there is always cable.

[frrobert]

Sorry, you had so much trouble setting up your DSL. I also have AT&T DSL outside of the setup, I really like it. But the setup is a pain, and it always changes. I have set it up several times for people and every time I do it the setup is different. There was a post just a few weeks back on the forum on how to setup the connection without IE if anyone is interested.

Our choices here are comcast or AT&T. So given that choice AT&T is great. They even let me have access on port 25 for access to a different SMTP server.

I think it is a wonderful idea for us to write civil, constructive letters asking At&T to have a setup process that is OS neutral.

[bigken]

sorry if sound a bit daft but would it not be easier if you just bought an adsl router ? they are very cheep these days

[linuxguymarshall]

Maybe you could just wine whatever the problem is

[bp1509]

d

[Dragonbite]

Maybe you could just wine whatever the problem is

Could try Wine or even IE4Linux, didn't think of that.

[tubezninja]

i wouldn't give AT&T 1 cent of my money. This issue would be important to me but in the grand scheme of things, it hardly compares to their co-operating with the NSA, RIAA and MPAA.. along with their anti-net neutrality stance.

While your stance is very noble indeed, and standing on the soapbox is all fine and good, there are still people who don't have a choice in the matter (in some regions it's AT&T or no broadband at all, or Comcast, which by the end of the year will be worse than AT&T (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Considering-250GB-Cap-Overage-Fees-94185)). Therefore it IS helpful that, regardless of your politics, the pressure be put on AT&T to recognize that it's not 100% a "windows world" anymore.

[FlyingIsFun1217]

Funny that you say this. Not too long ago, when you had to set up your user on the computer (not given to you), all I ever had to do was go to the modem's home page ('home' in the URL bar of any browser), and set it up that way...

I believe I even set ours up ON linux.

FlyingIsFun1217

[timcredible]

i've setup several verizon dsl connections with linux, the only hard part was forcing verizon support person to give me the username/password. you should be able to setup the modem with linux quite easily once you get the username/password. it makes no sense to require a windows machine to get dsl, what about the people that have no pc but only have a gaming console (ps3, xbox360, psp, wii) and they want to play online? if all else fails, lodge a formal complaint to the PUCO (Public Utility Commision), that will get their attention.

[Dremora]

A while ago I got DSL and noticed a similar thing. Their web site for signing in does not fully play well with Firefox and that is a massive shame.

Although, this may change in the future as IE tries to get back to standards (and not their own) with IE 8 and Firefox improves their browser.

Since this is ONLY regarding setting up your account though, it does not have to be from your home computer, this can be from any computer (work's, library's, friend's, etc.). Once you have your username and password you can use Firefox to update the modem (or modem/router).

I've found if I look through documentation for Mac customers there is usually some additional information that may be useful wiht Linux.

Otherwise, yes.. it sucks.

Is there a good place to send AT&T DSL team an email? If everybody in the Ubuntu forums alone who use AT&T DSL were to send a civil, but firm letter they may think they should open up some.

And remind them, there is always cable.

Well, IE 8 is roughly as standards compliant as Firefox, BUT instead of fixing your pages, all you have to do is put in one line that tells it to act like IE 7, and giving it no DOCTYPE declaration at all triggers IE 6 mode.

So those people like AT&T really don't have to fix anything, and can and will keep writing new pages for IE 6 and 7.

BTW, IE 8 will be on Windows XP as well, Microsoft originally had hoped to kill off XP quickly and leave XP users with IE 6.

[Dremora]

I still have my doubts that what AT&T is doing is specifically targeted to non-Windows users, I had to spend an hour on the phone talking to Comcast, explaining to 5 people what Linux was....("Is that like a Mac or something?")

Anyway, Comcast eventually activated my modem on their end.

If push comes to shove, just get Windows Server 2008 Evaluation Edition:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc137123.aspx

And run the setup software from there.

You only have to do it once, right?

Anyhow, AT&T is by far the worst broadband deal there is, between 3 Mbps DSL and a basic phone line, I was paying a few dollars more than I do with Comcast, and with them I get 6 Mbps and like 45 channels of cable too.

[Dremora]

i wouldn't give AT&T 1 cent of my money. This issue would be important to me but in the grand scheme of things, it hardly compares to their co-operating with the NSA, RIAA and MPAA.. along with their anti-net neutrality stance.

Oh no, better not use broadband then, cause most people don't have access to an ISP that don't match what you just described.

I really doubt that AT&T has any incentive to protect people distributing kiddie porn, and other various criminals.

You did actually read the privacy policy you signed when accepting your internet access terms?

The best way to think of the internet is like anything you do can and will be seen by others, so before you post illegal stuff, as yourself "What would happen to me if I stripped naked and ran down the street?".

So no, I don't believe your ISP owes any effort towards keeping your criminal activities a secret, "If you can't do the time, then don't do the crime."

As far as bandwidth throttling or packet manipulation, I disagree with that to a point, your ISP pays for bandwidth from higher tier providers, the more you use, the more it cuts into their profit, until they can no longer afford to remain in business.

People who use their connection constantly, are not unlike people that go into the $5 all you can eat buffet at 3 PM for lunch prices, and then stay around for the dinner lobster at 7.

[VitaLiNux]

I just wanted to let any potential AT&T DSL customers know that you will absolutely have to have a windows junker laying around if you wish to set up your new AT&T DSL service. I just got back from a friends house whom I had recently converted to Linux (yea!). He had just received a brand new Motorola 2210 DSL modem furnished by AT&T and I was all set to manually configure it so that he could enjoy the wonders of the Internet. The only problem is that they have changed their system. Before, you ordered the service and they told you what your username and password were. A Linux user would then enter this info into the new router manually and everything would be fine. But now their policy is to have you choose your username and password VIA software (not a simple web interface). I called in to customer service to request that they manually provide me with a username and they absolutely refused to do it citing that the new system did not provide a way for them to do so. I then asked them if they were not interested in the money that me and my Linux friends were paying for their services. They just kept saying that I needed a windows machine to set up the account. I finally gave in and used a virtual machine XP install that I have on my laptop for school, but this is totally crap that I had to do that just to get the provided modem onto their network. Let this be a warning to everyone that AT&T not only doesn't support Linux (we knew that), they won't let you use their service until you can find a "supported" operating system to put on your machine. Of course, after you have set up your account you can use whatever makes you happy. The point here is that AT&T is a FrEaKiNg ISP and the modem setup should have nothing to do with what your preferred OS is. Do me a favor and give them a call and let them know how bad their choice (to block Linux users) was.
Please! This is a serious problem there! What we need to do is Digg this and make our voices heard. Well, I want to help, even though in my country there's no AT&T service, but that problem affects my *NIX fellows, though.

[chris4585]

I'd like to see this software that only windows can run before I believe anything.. like I said a week ago I didn't need it to reset my password.

[Dremora]

I'd like to see this software that only windows can run before I believe anything.. like I said a week ago I didn't need it to reset my password.

You have to consider how the management of those companies think, they know the vast majority of their customers are on Windows or Mac, they also know that the local address setup page on the modem is a liability, since most users are stupid and will end up messing up the modem.

The software to set the connection up probably has a whole bunch of crapware to steer your towards their web portal and their email (which they can use against you if you ever leave, since lots of people know you as soandso@comcast.net), then there's the ad revenue and the Norton Antivirus trialware, and all the other nasty crap.

So the Windows/Mac crapware CD becomes necessary to set the modem up so they can be sure to get their crapware on your machine, and so you can't screw over the modem and have to call them for tech support.

[pparks1]

I remember when Comcast took over years ago and I had the same issue with them. They "claimed" that their software required an install onto a windows computer. Well, I absolutely refused to allow them to install software...even though I did have a Windows computer. I told them if they needed to install something to activate it, they needed to go back to homebase, get a laptop and come back out to the house.

I threw a fit and wrote a nasty letter to corporate and got a call from a VP who claimed to be a MAC user. He had no idea why they were so set on having to install the software. Obviously it made things easier for the non-technical, but I was asking specifically for the smtp and pop server addresses...so I clearly had some idea of what I was doing.

Demanding that a Windows box be present is crap. What if you were buying high speed internet strictly for an Xbox360 or a PS3????? What about an apple???


Funny story: I got stopped once at the airport shortly after 9/11 and I had a linux laptop with me. They wanted to install some software on my machine....I handed it over and said "good luck". They didn't see the humor...nor could they figure out how to install that Windows software on my Linux machine. Ultimately, they just scanned for bomb residue and let me go.

[Dremora]

I remember when Comcast took over years ago and I had the same issue with them. They "claimed" that their software required an install onto a windows computer. Well, I absolutely refused to allow them to install software...even though I did have a Windows computer. I told them if they needed to install something to activate it, they needed to go back to homebase, get a laptop and come back out to the house.

I threw a fit and wrote a nasty letter to corporate and got a call from a VP who claimed to be a MAC user. He had no idea why they were so set on having to install the software. Obviously it made things easier for the non-technical, but I was asking specifically for the smtp and pop server addresses...so I clearly had some idea of what I was doing.

Demanding that a Windows box be present is crap. What if you were buying high speed internet strictly for an Xbox360 or a PS3????? What about an apple???


Funny story: I got stopped once at the airport shortly after 9/11 and I had a linux laptop with me. They wanted to install some software on my machine....I handed it over and said "good luck". They didn't see the humor...nor could they figure out how to install that Windows software on my Linux machine. Ultimately, they just scanned for bomb residue and let me go.

I told the Comcast rep to just activate the thing.

She actually asked me if Linux was "like a Mac or something". :lolflag:

[Newuser1111]

I have AT&T/Bellsouth DSL,
I think that when I got it, it used software. But I don't know how long ago that was.

But after using that CD and setting it up for the first time, everything can be done with a web browser(Such as FireFox)

[fedex1993]

worked fine for me i did it on gateway.2wire.net which is my old router and it worked fine.

[wolfen69]

it may be getting to the point where the linux only user will be required to have a beater box with windows on it just to continue enjoying linux. sad but true. but like the OP said, make your voice known that you dont use windows and would appreciate some consideration. rock on.

[EdThaSlayer]

It sounds a bit too fishy. Maybe their software allows them to "see" what you are doing on your desktop.

[yabbadabbadont]

It sounds a bit too fishy. Maybe their software allows them to "see" what you are doing on your desktop.

No, the software just prompts for a user and password and then checks their servers to be sure that it isn't in use and then registers the account. It then connects to the modem or router, sets the username and password, and configures it to handle the authentication directly from there. It probably also registers your modem/router's security password with their servers too. You have to enter it so that the software can configure the user and password in the device and I can't see them not filing that bit of information away on their servers...

[JT9161]

Funny story: I got stopped once at the airport shortly after 9/11 and I had a linux laptop with me. They wanted to install some software on my machine....I handed it over and said "good luck". They didn't see the humor...nor could they figure out how to install that Windows software on my Linux machine. Ultimately, they just scanned for bomb residue and let me go.

Why in the world would they want to install something on your computer ?

[fmartinez]

I had AT&T a while back, but when I set up my router (2wire gateway) I had to use a web based utility to set my user name and password. I'd scratch that Win box and invest in a mac!

[k4sgt]

I'd like to see this software that only windows can run before I believe anything.. like I said a week ago I didn't need it to reset my password.

No, no, no...you don't need windows to maintain your account. You "need windows" to create your account. This only pertains to brand spanking new customers. Customer service will not create your account for you anymore, leaving you no option but to do what they say (get a winders machine).

Barry

[Northsider]

Yea, this is lame. I have ATT, and it's a good thing I still dual boot.

[chris4585]

No, no, no...you don't need windows to maintain your account. You "need windows" to create your account. This only pertains to brand spanking new customers. Customer service will not create your account for you anymore, leaving you no option but to do what they say (get a winders machine).

Barry

I'm glad I got a straight answer, well that is retarded about AT&T although its not my problem...

[doorknob60]

My ISP (BendBroadband) told me I needed a Windows (or OS X) box to set it up, so I lied and said I had an XP box :lolflag: The guy came over to set it up later and he didn't touch any of the computers, I just plugged it into my router and it worked :-P EDIT: It's not DSL though, it's cable, which is usually more Linux friendly.