On Sat, 24 Feb 2007 09:59:05 -0800, Milan
I have just bought Microsoft Vista- Home Edition and have created only
one account which is a Admin Account.. When I try to install BT Broadband CD
it wont let me saying I need Administrative rights.
I generally never run any software that comes from an ISP. A standard
Internet access shouldn't need any "special" software (if it does,
it's not a true standard access, and may be leveraging adware into the
process). Also, a standard router should need no "special" sware
either; using this to gloss over ISP's support calls will often slam
the router back into dumb Bridge mode, losing the protection of NAT.
Generally, all that needs to be done is:
- plug in PC to router via Ethernet cable
- wait for router to give the PC an IP address via DHCP
- use the IPConfig command from command prompt
- from the above, see the gateway IP address (the router)
- start a web browser, enter the IP address as "where to go"
- log into the router using ID and pwd from router's manual
- enter ISP's login particulars
- check other settings as required
- save changes into router
- if all works, turn router off, then on again to test retention
The trouble is, every router looks different enough when entered as a
"web page" that ISP phone support can be tricky. An ISP may sell
different routers as the months go by, which means ISP support has to
know the UI for each one, as well as know which one you have.
So ISPs often use a bundled application to set up the router and
accept the ISP's login credentials. Unfortunately this is often done
by setting the router to act as a dumb modem, then creating a fake
"dial-up connection" to log the PC into the ISP.
The trouble with that is that the PC is no longer hidden from
unsolicited Internet traffic via the router's Native Address
Translation (NAT). It's directly exposed to any attackers that
stumble upon the IP address assigned to you by the ISP.
Often ISPs resort to "special" software for other reasons, such as
limiting use to only one PC (forcing you to use Internet Connection
Sharing on that PC, instead of just plugging more computers into the
router), ensuring they can push ads via an obligatory browser home
page or other UI, or locking your equipment (e.g. "free modems") so
that it cannot be used by other ISPs.
So when an ISP needs "special" software, my first instinct is to look
for a different ISP that works properly instead.
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Saws are too hard to use.
Be easier to use!