Division By 0

This last weekend there was quite a blackout for 2 days where I live, and it seems one of its consequences was internet not working anymore. I hate calling customer support of ISPs. They are prepared to solve some problems sequentially but it is difficult to step right into the real problem when you think you know what happens. Let’s see how the call would have worked in a typical scenario… Based on a similar call I made some time ago.

Customer support: Hello, I am xxxxxxxx. How may I help you?
crimsomshadow: Good morning. Internet has stopped working yesterday, but my router configuration is ok. Could you check if connection reaches here?
Customer support: Could you tell me your router’s color?
crimsomshadow: I think my router is ok. Could you please check if connection reaches here?
Customer support: The only possible problem can be your router. Please tell me your router’s color
crimsomshadow: Black and grey…
Customer support: So it is a “Insert brand name here” ZX4815162342. Can you confirm that?
crimsomshadow: Yeah, it is. I tell you I already checked it
Customer support: Please, go to a computer, click “Start-Run” and type cmd. A black window should appear. You must type “ping 192.168.1.1″. Please tell me what do you see after that
crimsomshadow: (Thinking: My router IP isn’t that one…) It pings back
Customer support: You really did as I told you?
crimsomshadow: I checked before calling
Customer support: Please do it now
crimsomshadow: Ok, it still pings back
Customer support: Then your router is not broken. It must be a configuration problem. Please push the reset button for 10 seconds and check if you can connect to the internet
crimsomshadow: (Thinking: Oh man…) Done. Still not working
Customer support: Wait a moment, sir
…
…
…
…
…
Customer support: Sorry for making you wait, sir. It seems there is a connection problem in our side. It will be solved in the following 24/48 hours. Thank you

I know I should just follow what customer service says, but it was worth trying. Let’s see how it fared this last time…

Customer support: Hello, I am xxxxxxxx. How may I help you?
crimsomshadow: Good morning. Internet stopped working this weekend with the blackout and is still doesn’t work
Customer support: Ok, let’s check it… Could you tell me your router’s color?
crimsomshadow: The thing is, my router is not the one you sent me… We bought a different one
Customer support: … I see. Ok, can you click “Start-Run” on a nearby computer…
crimsomshadow: Well, you see, I am a Linux user, but I can follow…
Customer support: Please wait a moment, sir
…
Customer support: Sorry for making you wait, sir. It seems there is a connection problem in our side. It will be solved in the following 24/48 hours. Thank you.

Funny.

Tags: GNU, ISP, Linux