Tiscali - "There are no USB modems that support Win7"

[jxm]

I'm trying to get a new PC setup to access the internet. It's got Win 7 pre-installed and I have Tiscali broadband with the Speedtouch 330 usb modem they provided. This worked with my previous XP machine.

After much faffing about trying to get it to work and find a suitable driver I find a post on their website that says "With the increased use of wireless routers for broadband access we have taken the decision in partnership with our equipment suppliers to not extend the support for USB modems to the Windows 7 operating system. We will obviously continue to support USB modems for Windows Vista and Windows XP"

In other words, if you have Windows 7 and the broadband modem they provided you're out of luck. Tough.

They do however suggest you call them to 'discuss your equipment options'. When I called this number they told me that "There are no USB modems that support Win7", but they can replace the current modem with a wireless router if I call their other number and 'upgrade' my current service. I haven't yet phoned to find out what this upgrade will be or how much extra they expect me to pay to get a device that actually works with microsofts current OS. I'd rather find out what my options are first, so I can tell them to just give me the device for free or stuff their upgrade offer as appropriate.

So....

Firstly, their claim that only wireless routers support Win7 seems more than a little unlikely - can anyone confirm or deny this?

Secondly, can anyone suggest an alternative to Tiscali that is a) cheaper, and b) will supply a device that will actually work.

ps. My pc doesn't have wireless networking...

 

[richc46]

I think you may have to shop for another modem. Try newegg, Great prices and you can shop online.

 

[bobkn]

Is a USB DSL modem your only option?

An Ethernet connection would be essentially OS independent. (You'd still need drivers for the NIC.)

I don't know what sort fo wireless routers Tiscali offers, but the Linksys unit that I use with my cable modem has Ethernet jacks as well as wireless support.

 

[Adrian]

Welcome to Windows 7 Support forums,
JXM, I think there is some confusion that I will attempt to clear up for you.
It seems you are in the UK and we have has several members of the forum that have had less than stellar experiences with their Broadband Service, I reviewed the Triscali Website and they appear to offer various "So Called" broadband plans for 10 Sterling and up. What they are offering is actual DSL service over phone lines. Hence the need for USB connection from the modem to your PC, would there be an ethernet connection in the back of your modem?
Also a wireless router is a piece of equipment that allows you to use a single internet connection and connect more than 1 pc using the single connection to the net. The lack of Windows 7 support is for the actual operating system not the hardware support. If you can identify the make and model of your broadband modem we can begin trouble shooting the issue.

Regards,
Adrian

 

[Dwarf]

The following link gives the router settings for Tiscali: Router Settings

You should have no problem using a router with these settings as opposed to the USB modem. I had the same when I was with AOL. I originally had a USB modem that I subsequently upgraded to a Netgear router (they actually supplied the router when I upgraded from silver to gold). I have since left AOL due to there poor download speeds, and am now with O2. As part of the package, they supplied another router, which I have kept as a backup. I am still using the Netgear router with the O2 configuration settings.

The bottom line is that a router can give you more flexibility when it comes to migrating from one ISP to another - you just simply enter the relevant information and away you go. The USB modems, however, will only work with the ISP that they have been designed for (these settings are pre-programmed and are none-configurable), plus such modems require USB drivers that are device specific. A router has none of these limitations, as it can be connected via Ethernet. Of course, if connecting wirelessly via a USB dongle you might need drivers for the dongle.

 

[Adrian]

Speedtouch 330 usb modem

I further investigated the Speedtouch Modem. it looks as there is no ethernet connection. I'll continue on for a device driver.

 

[richc46]

I further investigated the Speedtouch Modem. it looks as there is no ethernet connection. I'll continue on for a device driver.

Thank you Adrian, for going the extra mile for the poster.

 

[Adrian]

The following link gives the router settings for Tiscali: Router Settings

Sorry dwarf, the op does not have access to a router, we need drivers for the actual dsl modem.

Adrian

 

[jxm]

Welcome to Windows 7 Support forums,
JXM, I think there is some confusion that I will attempt to clear up for you.
It seems you are in the UK and we have has several members of the forum that have had less than stellar experiences with their Broadband Service, I reviewed the Triscali Website and they appear to offer various "So Called" broadband plans for 10 Sterling and up. What they are offering is actual DSL service over phone lines. Hence the need for USB connection from the modem to your PC, would there be an ethernet connection in the back of your modem?
Also a wireless router is a piece of equipment that allows you to use a single internet connection and connect more than 1 pc using the single connection to the net. The lack of Windows 7 support is for the actual operating system not the hardware support. If you can identify the make and model of your broadband modem we can begin trouble shooting the issue.

Regards,
Adrian

Yes, sorry, I'm in the UK. Just to clear things up they originally supplied what they keep referring to as a "USB Modem", although it is better described as a USB ADSL Modem. In this case it is a speedtouch 330 which is explained in more details here:

SpeedTouch 330 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This obviously connects to the phone line at one end and the PC via a USB cable on the other.

The above link for the router settings is not applicable as it is not a router. ("This page is intended for Tiscali Broadband Customers who are using a router. USB modems come pre-configured and as such do not need any of these settings entered.")

The Tiscali website hinted at a workaround but didn't specify what it was, and due to the holidays I can't get hold of anyone technical there at the moment...

 

[jxm]

Thank you Adrian, for going the extra mile for the poster.

Yes, thanks very much - you're a lot more helpful than Tiscali! And I've love to know what Brian is saying in your avatar...

 

[Adrian]

Follow this link

JXM, seems you are not alone, reviewing MS technet social support forums this is a known issue. The attached link will take you to the Thomson Website and will provide you updated drivers for Windows 7.
Here is the link: Thomson - DELIVER - To DSL & Fiber networks - xDSL Gateways & Accessories - Windows Vista Support

Review and see if you can download and install, please let us know how you progress.

Regards from your friends at Windows 7 Support.

Adrian

 

[Adrian]

"Do you Mind?"
LOL

 

[jxm]

JXM, seems you are not alone, reviewing MS technet social support forums this is a known issue. The attached link will take you to the Thomson Website and will provide you updated drivers for Windows 7.

Hi,

That link is for the Vista driver, there's no mention on the page of it working with Windows 7?

 

[Adrian]

Microsoft Social Forums

Attached for review.

 

[Dwarf]

"Do you Mind?"
LOL

It appears as though Brian is, to put it politely, preparing to water the fire hydrant.

 

[jxm]

ok thanks, I'll give it a try.

 

[jxm]

It appears as though Brian is, to put it politely, preparing to water the fire hydrant.

yes, that much was clear from the avtar - just the text was to small to read...

 

[Dwarf]

The following link gives the router settings for Tiscali: Router Settings

Sorry dwarf, the op does not have access to a router, we need drivers for the actual dsl modem.

Adrian

You don't actually have to get the router from your ISP. Instead, you can get them from your local computer shop (in the UK: Currys, PCWorld, Comet, etc) and then set it up using the guide that I linked to.

Here is the same (or very much similar) model that I have from Currys: Currys - Shop for Network Accessories - NETGEAR DG834UK Wired ADSL Firewall Router

You should be able to set it up and keep on the same pricing plan as before. Another advantage of using a router comes when reinstalling your OS (or even trying an alternative, such as Linux). Because the configuration is stored within the router (some USB modems also require configuration data to be stored on your PC) and because no drivers are required for the Ethernet connection (other than those supplied with the OS itself and/or the motherboard), it means that you can reinstall, connect up your router and you're immediately ready to go online.

 

[jxm]

Sure, if it was my PC I'd just do that - it would save a lot of faffing about... But it's my dads PC, and he's already fed up with the cost of the PC and accessories so far and isn't impressed at the thought of paying even more for a router he didn't realise he needed in the first place. So for the time being it a case of getting a workaround or trying to weasel a free router out of tiscali. Or just changing ADSL suppliers...