DSL Extreme really, really sucks…if your service goes out.

Well, the service is great if it’s working. If you look at my hosting provider, it’s DSL Extreme. My service was down for almost the entire month of July because DSL Extreme technical support was incompetent enough to solve my problem. Their technical support was giving me the runaround and passing me off to billing and the left hand was totally not talking to the right. It was partially AT&T’s fault, but I was paying DSL Extreme, not AT&T and I couldn’t talk to AT&T directly.

Wednesday – call from billing saying it’s been disconnected and I should get an email for an activation date within 48 hours. Not the actual activation, but an activation date. Billing says that I won’t get credit for any of the down time because I lost line share and that I should be contacting AT&T for credit because it was them that disconnected my line and that it’s in the “Terms and Conditions” that I am supposed to have the line available the whole time. How do I know this is true? I didn’t lose dialtone myself. At least not that I’m aware of.
Here are a couple of typical technical support chat sessions:
Michelle:
Thank you for calling DSL Extreme. My name is Michelle. How may I help you?
uslacker99:
please check on the status of my service – Alton Yu 415-239-xxxx
Michelle:
Jsut a minute please
Michelle:
We finalized the disconnect on 7/15, it takes 5 days for the line to clear and then we can place the reconnect order
uslacker99:
I didn’t get an activation date
Michelle:
Is there anything else that I can help you with?
uslacker99:
Should I not have gotten an activation date?
Michelle:
We have not set the activation date yet
uslacker99:
I was told I should’ve had it 24-48 hours
Michelle:
until we can place the order for reactivation, we will not have a date
uslacker99:
ok
Michelle:
We will email you with the activation date
uslacker99:
is there any way to expedite this?
uslacker99:
I haven’t had service for 2 weeks.
Michelle:
Unfortunately there is not a way to speed up the process
uslacker99:
Are you sure?
uslacker99:
Is there an escalation process?
Michelle:
I am sorry but there is not a way
uslacker99:
You’re positive that there’s no faster way?
Michelle:
We are processing it as fast as we can
uslacker99:
Can I have your word on that?
Michelle:
We are moving as fast as we can
uslacker99:
okay then.
Michelle:
Is there anything else that I can help you with?
uslacker99:
nope

———————
7/22
Jeff:
Thank you for calling DSL Extreme. My name is Jeff. How may I help you?
uslacker99:
please check on the status of my service – Alton Yu 415-239-xxxx
uslacker99:
this is the 18th day I haven’t had service 🙁
Jeff:
there is an open Trouble Ticket,
Jeff:
I show account active
uslacker99:
it’s not active. it’s not working
Jeff:
what is the status of the light on your modem?
uslacker99:
last time i looked, it was blinking green.
Jeff:
kk, let me transfer you to our Tier 2 technisions
Jeff:
Ticket#: 3121480
Jeff:
this is your Trouble Ticket, one moment please…
uslacker99:
there should be a disconnect/reconnect going on with billing. they said it was disconnected last tuesday, but no word as to when it would be reconnected.
Jeff:
kk, our Tier 2 tech’s should be able to see what the status is..\
Jeff:
one sec please
Jeff:
Has transferred you to:
Chat Session Ended, Goodbye. (5010)

pkgs to install in Ubuntu for Apache …

This is just for reference so that I know which packages I installed to get php navigator working. I’ll uninstall all of them if I ever need to remove it.

apache2-mpm-prefork defoma fontconfig-config libapache2-mod-php5 libfontconfig1 libfreetype6 libgd2-xpm libjpeg62 libpng12-0
libt1-5 libx11-6 libx11-data libxau6 libxdmcp6 libxml2 libxpm4 php5-common php5-gd ttf-dejavu ttf-dejavu-core ttf-dejavu-extra
x11-common apache2 apache2-mpm-worker apache2-utils apache2.2-common libapr1 libaprutil1 libpcre3 libpq5 libdbd-mysql-perl libdbi-perl libmysqlclient15off libnet-daemon-perl libplrpc-perl mysql-client-5.0 mysql-server
mysql-server-5.0      apache2-mpm-prefork libapache2-mod-php5 libxml2 php5 php5-common
defoma fontconfig-config libfontconfig1 libfreetype6 libgd2-xpm libjpeg62 libpng12-0 libt1-5 libx11-6 libx11-data libxau6
libxdmcp6 libxpm4 php5-gd ttf-dejavu ttf-dejavu-core ttf-dejavu-extra x11-common php5-mysql

Acura vs. Lexus … just to get a quote …

I ask the acura guy …
how much for the car
he writes back …

Special Financing available for all 2008 Acura TL’s in stock for .9% for 36 months and 2.9% for 60 months on approval of credit.

2008 TL Navi for $30,000+ Tax + Licensing Fees (MSRP $36,940).

idiot from lexus …
Catherine: i’m thinking of getting a used bmw
Because there are so much variation in equipment options, in order to put together most aggressive and accurate price possible, I was wondering if you could either send an email or give me a phone call with options you want on your new vehicle.  I will be calling you soon and/or emailing you. To contact me you can call me directly at (650)994-2255. I look forward to serving you.
then …
I copy acura’s quote
and say I want something similar
he writes back …

If you compare to the price, for sure Acura is cheaper, but I want you to understand the more you pay, more you get. Lexus use the finest material to build our cars, so you can find that vehicle dependability report we’re always No.1, our vehicle will be much more luxury than a acura, engine much smooth and quite. Is all your decision, acura is a nice car too, if you want something more budget, I think is a good choice. If you want to get the finest and luxury vehicle, Lexus is your choice!
my response …
I don’t want to come in and look first. I’m not only considering price. I’ll test drive the two after I get a quote.

According to this: http://www.newcars.com/lexus/es350/reviews/acura-tl.html

The prices should be comparable.
he comes back with … what equipment that you interested to have it in the ES350?
I was like … what the hell!
finally! he goes …

If you want navigation this is the package you will get for 2008:
P             Z1             Trunk Mat, Cargo Net and Wheel Locks
F             BE             Rear Seat Side Airbags                               F             HH             Heated and Ventilated Front Seats                               F             NV             Navigation System Includes:                               F             PM             Premium Package Includes:

MSRP: $39615 + fees, and you can have it for $34423 + fees, color is limited for 2008.Please let me know when is the better time for you to come! Thanks
and of course, I come back with what I forgot …

Ok. Which colors are available and do you have any special financing like Acura does?

it took 4 emails from lexus what it took 1 from acura!

HOW TO move ESX hosts between clusters without maintenance mode

I’ve done this a number of times and never had a problem, but this may not be a good idea.

The steps are to:

1. Right click and disconnect the ESX host from vCenter.
2. Right click and remove the host you just disconnected from vCenter (may hang VC temporarily in the minute rangeor operation may time out) re-log back into VC, once you are able to it host should be gone from the cluster.
3. Re-add to VC under new cluster

HOW TO force VirtualCenter to load after SQL Server on the same system

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/193888

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\<Service name>

<Service name> = vpxd for VirtualCenter
modify the DependOnService key and add MSSQLSERVER