The automatic Internet problem detection system that CenturyLink uses appears to be completely useless, inaccurate, and more akin to a "joke" than a service.
Just went through this again, following almost the same exact script that I know so well.
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Big damaging storm in Wisconsin Sunday evening July 12
Monday morning July 13 after storm has passed, try to use CenturyLink DSL, and it doesn't work.
(Gilman, WI phone exchange, Ruby remote terminal)
I'm using:
-- CenturyLink EQ660R-F1 wired DSL modem in bridged mode (CL's history of crappy internal router software bypassed, NAT session table exhaust keeps choking the connection)
-- Asus RT-N56U A/N/G wireless router with huge NAT table capability
Power cycle everything, Asus router boots but just says
Jul 13 16:17:03 pppd[478]: Timeout waiting for PADO packets
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I called CenturyLink Internet Repair at about 8:15 AM central daylight time.
AutoBOB says "Checking your service ... almost finished.. no problems were found"
Talk to representative. The heavily Spanish accented fellow does the usual script, has me power cycle everything even though I already did that, and says he can't find anything wrong, but the modem is an old one so they will mail us an upgrade.
I say fine, and send us a wireless-capable one this time, and we need the Internet ASAP so can we get it overnight? We will pay extra if needed. Rep says not necessary, and modem should arrive Tuesday.
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About an hour passes and I decided to go check the DSL at my brother's house across the road on the same remote DSLAM. He has the wireless Centurylink modem.
When I call Internet Repair for him at about 9:15 AM on Monday, AutoBOB says "A problem has been detected, technicians are already working on it. Resolution expected by 8am on Tuesday July 14"
Next I try calling Internet Repair for our phone number at 9:30 AM, and AutoBOB has changed the story and also says a problem has been detected, already working on it, blah blah.
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Tuesday July 14 arrives, and what do you know but the DSL with our "old" CenturyLink modem and Asus router suddenly starts working again.
(Image goes here, why did DSLreports move it to the top of the post?) [att=1]
But no "overnighted" replacement wireless modem arrived on Tuesday (yesterday). Does it even matter now? I may just put it in storage as a spare in case of future problems.
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So apparently, as demonstrated here, CenturyLink's automatic nationwide self-diagnostic service is basically useless.
It can't tell them in advance when there are problems occurring until people start calling and complaining, and the "automated service" instead ends up just wasting everyone's time and effort.
Oh well, at least an unnecessary new wireless modem should arrive some day, to use as a paperweight.
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CenturyLink remote pedestal: RUBY, 10 miles west of Gilman, WI
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20533172-Rural-Century-Telephone-remote-terminal-unit
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20530745-Name-of-this-polemount-outdoor-telco-canister
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