Hello.

This is really two questions in one.

I use Cox High-Speed Internet on my (Mandriva) Linux box at home, and usually have no trouble with it. It's nothing fancy--no routers, no wireless, just my PC and a cable modem--and I'm experienced enough with Linux to deal with most problems that come up. However, during the past month or so, I've noticed a significant slowdown. Streaming media tends to drop out, downloading an ISO image that used to take a bit over one hour recently took over _eight_ hours, and Web sites time out regularly. Even after a fresh install, complete with reformat (I recently switched from XFS to ReiserFS because of an unrelated issue), the connection is still slow, so it really doesn't appear to be a Linux issue. Any feedback about this problem would help, but this leads me to my second question.

Whenever I call Cox tech support, if I make the mistake of mentioning that I use Linux, I can't get any further with them. They'll send a remote reset signal and check signal levels, but that's it. I've run into this sort of thing often recently in solving problems on my system or those of friends who also use Linux. Vendors seem almost terrified of it. I've even tried basically saying to them "OK, pretend I use Windows and give me the instructions as you would for a Windows user and I'll translate and figure out what to do." That sometimes helps a little, but when an issue truly turns out not to be software-related, what then? Just curious how others have dealt with this, because I'm sure I'm not the first one to run into it.

Thanks.
--Andy

I just tell them i have 2 concurrent systems, one windows, one something else (if i mention Linux, they tell me it doesn't support the internet??)

I say i am having trouble on both systems, exactly the same, and to check my lines, they do, then they say can they use remote desktop, and i laugh at them, then i ask to speak to a supervisor, and ask them why they are restricting my bandwidth, they swear blind the company doesnt do that, 3 more supervisors and they are throttling my ports and they open them up. This has happened 3 times now.

I'd check your bandwidth usage.

Unfortunatly you cant force them to support Linux, and whilst windows is predominant, and the opted route for sysadmins, it wont change much. You may threaten to move to a company who does, but if they're big, 1 customer isn't worth the migration

First, don't tell them it is Linux.

Depending on the issue, you often have to ask enough questions to sort out whether the problem could be related to you use of Linux vs Windows.

Using hi-speed internet over cable should have very little to do with the OS. The download and upload speeds can vary quite a bit with time of day--depending on how many people are logged. (I have heard cable internet compared to a telephone party line)

Finally, talk to them in generic technical terms---like bandwidth, latency, etc.

Bandwidth: http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
Latency: ping

Use a router....

If your cable is connected to a router, they do support routers. That way if they go through their support script you tell them it's a linksys router or something like that. Then you can use Linux/Windows and whatever else you want on the same connection.

These "support" guys are usually off shore and have to go step by step through a check list. Words like "Linux" or Connection shareing are signs to dump the call.

You're lucky then, mine support the sagem 840 USB modem, if i say it's anything else i get (yu'll have to contact the manufacturers), if i do that i'm just sent to the call centre next door...

If Cox has upgraded the equipment and now provides a higher access speed then your modem might not be compatable anymore. Same thing happend to me with timeouts and slow access. It is also possible that your modem is failing. I have a PC configured as a router directly connected to a cable modem.

I replaced my old unit with a Motorola Surfboard and have not had any problems since. Be sure to call Cox to register your new modem's MAC address. Also Check with your local Cox office for compatable modems. Most local computer stores should carry modems compatable with the local service.

I just tell the service people that I have a computer directly connected to the modem. No other questions asked about what OS it was running.

operating systems and internet are almost two entirely different things :P

yea when I need help and I'm running a nix box, I just don't mention that I'm using it.