A Superb Way To Enjoy The Internet!
Written: Mar 03 '08 (Updated Mar 08 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy installation! Reliable! Price! Convenience!
Cons: None!
The Bottom Line: The Westell 6100 makes a most strong argument for having DSL service.
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| sam-pro's Full Review: Westell Wirespeed LiteLine 6100 DSL Modem (B996100... |
The Westell 6100 DSL Modem is the number one external modem offered by Verizon to their customers when ordering DSL on-line services and it's no wonder why. It is a most reliable and easy way to connect to the internet. Verizon supplies the proper software for full functionality and installation but even if you choose not to use the supplied disk...Windows will gladly INSTALL THE MODEM FOR YOU AND YOU WILL CONNECT EASILY TO INTERNET EXPLORER WITHOUT A HITCH.
The little black box arrives to you neatly packed with proper Ethernet, USB and filtered cables for a good clean connection to phone and pc. The rear of the unit has appropriate receptacles for the supplied external power adapter, phone line, USB and Ethernet.
Please make sure You install the supplied filters on every phone in your house before proceeding with the rest of the installation which...by the way...must be considered to be the all-time proverbial "snap". This prevents annoying background noise from drowning out your conversation on your phone while your internet connection is active.
Connecting the external modem to your computer is as easy as it gets in this Digital World of ours! Simply use either the USB or the Ethernet connection...one or the other...but not both simultaneously. Verizon recommends using the "Ethernet" as opposed to "USB" but if no Ethernet board is installed on your pc...then please do use the USB connector. Supposedly...according to Verizon...Ethernet is the better way to go for transmitting and receiving information over the internet but I've used both and by comparison there is very little difference in overall performance...if any at all!
On my old eMACHINES ids 633 Tower with "Windows Me"...the supplied Verizon software gave a clear easy vocal and pictorial step-by-step process. On our new Compaq Presario SR5010nx pc with "Windows Vista" the disc was rendered useless by the newer faster pc. No matter as the modem was automatically detected and installed in record breaking time by the outstanding "Windows Vista Home Basic" anyway!
I was still able to go to Verizon Central to download all the appropriate protection benefits and updates that come with being a Verizon customer. I chose the Verizon Yahoo package at no extra cost that includes full up-to-the-minute Norton Anti Virus protection and security. Now for $14.95 per month our internet experience is fast and tops for the money in my EPINION!
But let's get back to the Westell 6100...the product at hand here. The 4" x 5" x 1.5" little black box has a particularly useful display that beats the pants off my original idea of having an internal modem. Because it is external...there is no further draw on your pc's power supply. This is important to note because if your pc came with a 250 watt minimalist power supply...it must be noted that added peripherals will only serve to tax such a basic unit {it'll run hotter or worse...cause pc failure!} unless an upgrade to a nice 400 watt power supply is made.
The Westell 6100 has such an outstanding front/top display! There are no less than five LED's that are marked from left to right..."Power", "Ethernet", "USB", "DSL", "Internet". There is a tiny rocker switch in the rear of the 6100 for turning the power on or off. I simply choose to leave mine on.
As you connect to the internet...each light is lit a bright green in proper fashion. The "Internet" and "DSL" lights may actually blink a bit from time to time but this is quite normal and you'll get used to it in no time at all. These LED's are a constant visual indication of what is actually going on with your internet connection.
If you are way behind in your Verizon monthly bill...do not be surprised if your "Internet" LED turns red as it has happened to us. Hey...I'm a poor man and these things happen! I'm not proud!
I must say that we've been pretty satisfied with our service aside from that one time when we got a bit behind in our payments. Verizon quickly restored our service when payment was electronically made but my point here is that at a glance...the little black Westell 6100 did its job in letting us know exactly what was going on!
OK...it did balk on the "Internet" LED once as it was lit green and should've been red but this was only momentarily and eventually lit red to confirm our "No Service" status.
In the two years we've enjoyed DSL...this Westell 6100 has been a most important and pleasurable part of the internet experience. Whether you pay an extra $20 {as we did} for the box or receive it at no extra cost as I believe Verizon is now offering it to their new customers these days...it is an outstanding buy and must be considered to be one of the most reliable...and enjoyable...pieces of equipment we've ever purchased!...PJS II
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 20
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Epinions.com ID:
sam-pro
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Peter J Sammon II
Location: The Bloomfield Burying Ground, USA
Reviews written: 217
Trusted by: 122 members
About Me:
Every once in awhile something great arrives at relatively low cost to you...Priceless!
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