Laying Blame

For almost four months, I've had issues with my internet. I could only be online for about 30 minutes at a time before I lost the connection. I did all manner of rebooting, unplugging, restarting, to no avail. Unfortunately, I also didn't have time to take a day off to spend on the phone with AT&T tech support. The upside of unemployment is now I do have time.

So yesterday I called tech support. The first time I was told there was an alternate profile (huh?) attached to my line, and that was deleted so I shouldn't have any more problems. Thirty minutes later, and no connection, I called again. The second phone rep was very patient with my sarcasm, and assured me that they would fix the issue. I was told that a technician would be dispatched to my residence between 8am and 12pm. I asked that he please show up closer to 12pm than 8am, because no one wants to see me first thing in the morning. I am not a morning person. It's downright scary.

Anyway, at 9:30am (a fairly reasonable hour), the technician arrived at my doorstep. He tested the jack, changed out the modem, tested the outside line, then climbed into my attic to follow the money (i.e. the wiring). And lo and behold.... he found the culprit!!!

Back in August, my A/C had gone out (living in AL, this is horrifying). Evidently, in their determination to install my swanky new unit, the HVAC techs got my phone wiring caught in the cover of the inside unit. Meaning for all the months that I've been cursing AT&T for my lack of reliable internet, I should have been cursing United Heating & Air.

All that aside, I now have a constant signal and can surf to my heart's content. And right now surfing means job hunting.....