Watchdog and BT Anytime
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 7
From: UK
Watchdog and BT Anytime
The BBC TV programme, "Watchdog", ran a revealing article about BT Anytime last night. According to Watchdog, BT are allegedly trying to get rid of customers who, in their opinion, over use the service. It was stated that BT's ploy is to give a new dial-up number to heavy users, ostensibly to improve access, but the programme demonstrated that in reality the new number rarely connects. I've no axe to grind, having never tried BT Anytime, but existing customers, who missed the programme, might like to take note.
[ 21 September 2001: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]
[ 21 September 2001: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]
[ 21 September 2001: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]
[ 21 September 2001: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 7
From: UK
If you would like to see more about this topic, have a look at www.net4nowt.com
See both the home page, and the specific BT Internet forum.
See both the home page, and the specific BT Internet forum.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: UK
I have found the new software to be a load of b******s and find that a self configured DUN is by far the best way to connect. This also avoids downloading their large and slow home page. If you have any problems connecting on the 0808 number, try 0800 5879089 which still works although BT advise that this temporary until they get themselves sorted out. 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: South East England
Just as a matter of interest,I have been on BT Anytime since it started with not to many problems apart from one, I had great difficulty dialing in a couple of weeks ago,I e-mailed BT and this is the reply I recieved, it may help you if you have problems.
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
Since the conversion of BTinternet Monthly (free evening and weekend access by credit card) to BTinternet Anytime, along with the change of dial up number in April, a small percentage of our customers have experienced problems when connecting to the service.
BTopenworld have been working to combat this ongoing problem and have identified two sets of customers who are encountering problems:
If you are having intermittent connection problems. These connection problems normally occur during busy periods. Customers who are currently affected by these problems should download new dial in software at the following URL: www.btopenworld.com/mybtopenworld/software_update
A small percentage of our customer base are having continuous connection problems. If you are confronted by an engaged tone when attempting to dial into the service you should have your original dialler deleted and replaced with the temporary dial up number 0800 5879118. (Instructions listed below) Once you have connected to the service you should go immediately to www.btopenworld.com/mybtopenworld/software_update
and download the new software.
PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE TRYING ANY OF THE SOLUTIONS LISTED. IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONS OR REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE TELEPHONE HELPDESK (the number is listed at the end of this email). BTINTERNET CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION.
DO NOT PROCEED WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU ARE CONNECTED TO A NETWORK, OR YOUR COMPUTER IS AT ANY TIME PART OF A NETWORK (e.g. LAPTOPS USED AT WORK AND ALSO USED AT HOME). IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANYTHING DO NOT PROCEED AND CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL HELPDESK WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ADVISE YOU. CHANGING SETTINGS ON A NETWORK COMPUTER CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS TO AN ENTIRE NETWORK AND BTINTERNET WILL NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED
To ensure that you have the correct dial-up network settings (Win 95/98).
Double Left click on the My Computer on the desktop.
Double Left click on Dial Up Networking.
Right click your existing dial up network icon (e.g. BTinternet, My Connection).
Left click Delete (This will have now deleted your existing dialler).
Double Left click on Make new connection.
You will be prompted to "type a name for the computer you are dialling:"
Type BTinternet in the box provided.
Make sure your modem is selected underneath.
Click Next.
You will be prompted to "type the phone number for the computer you want to call:"
Insert 0800 in the area code box.
Insert 587 9118 in the telephone number.
Select United Kingdom (44) as the country code.
Click Next.
The box will state, "You have successfully created a dial up network".
Click Finish.
Right click on the BTinternet icon that you have just created.
Left click on Properties.
Click on the Server types tab.
Under "Type of dial-up server" please select either the following:
"PPP: Internet, Windows NT Server, Windows 95" - (Win 95)
"PPP: Internet, Windows NT Server, Windows 98" -(Win 98)
Please make sure TCP/IP is the only option ticked on the whole screen.
(N.B. - If any other boxes are ticked, please remove the ticks by left clicking on the tick)
Left click on the TCP/IP settings button.
Select 'Server assigned named IP address'.
Select 'Server assigned named server addresses'.
Place a tick next to Use IP header compression.
Place a tick next to Use default gateway on remote network.
Click OK Twice.
Right click on the BTinternet icon.
Left click on Create Shortcut.
A box will appear stating "windows cannot create a shortcut here, would you like to place it on your desktop" - Please select YES.
A Shortcut will then have appeared on your desktop, you will then be able to click this icon on your desktop to connect to the Internet.
(Please note the first time you use this new icon, you will have to enter your username and password - to save the entered password, tick the box to save password below it)
You have now set up your dialler to connect to BTinternet.
When connected, visit site http://www.btinternet.com/software_update.html
You will need to click on the "Please click here to download the dial-in software" link. This will bring a new screen. Select "Run this program from its current location". This will install the new dial in software onto the your computer.
If we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
BTopenworld with BTinternet
BTinternet Billing: [email protected]
BTinternet Technical Support: [email protected]
Should you prefer to speak to the BTinternet Team directly you can contact us on:
BTinternet Billing: 0870 241 4567
BTinternet Technical Support: 0906 302 3456*
* Calls to the Technical Support Helpdesk are charged at 50 pence per minute from a BT line
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
Since the conversion of BTinternet Monthly (free evening and weekend access by credit card) to BTinternet Anytime, along with the change of dial up number in April, a small percentage of our customers have experienced problems when connecting to the service.
BTopenworld have been working to combat this ongoing problem and have identified two sets of customers who are encountering problems:
If you are having intermittent connection problems. These connection problems normally occur during busy periods. Customers who are currently affected by these problems should download new dial in software at the following URL: www.btopenworld.com/mybtopenworld/software_update
A small percentage of our customer base are having continuous connection problems. If you are confronted by an engaged tone when attempting to dial into the service you should have your original dialler deleted and replaced with the temporary dial up number 0800 5879118. (Instructions listed below) Once you have connected to the service you should go immediately to www.btopenworld.com/mybtopenworld/software_update
and download the new software.
PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE TRYING ANY OF THE SOLUTIONS LISTED. IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONS OR REQUIRE ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE TELEPHONE HELPDESK (the number is listed at the end of this email). BTINTERNET CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION.
DO NOT PROCEED WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU ARE CONNECTED TO A NETWORK, OR YOUR COMPUTER IS AT ANY TIME PART OF A NETWORK (e.g. LAPTOPS USED AT WORK AND ALSO USED AT HOME). IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANYTHING DO NOT PROCEED AND CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL HELPDESK WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ADVISE YOU. CHANGING SETTINGS ON A NETWORK COMPUTER CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS TO AN ENTIRE NETWORK AND BTINTERNET WILL NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED
To ensure that you have the correct dial-up network settings (Win 95/98).
Double Left click on the My Computer on the desktop.
Double Left click on Dial Up Networking.
Right click your existing dial up network icon (e.g. BTinternet, My Connection).
Left click Delete (This will have now deleted your existing dialler).
Double Left click on Make new connection.
You will be prompted to "type a name for the computer you are dialling:"
Type BTinternet in the box provided.
Make sure your modem is selected underneath.
Click Next.
You will be prompted to "type the phone number for the computer you want to call:"
Insert 0800 in the area code box.
Insert 587 9118 in the telephone number.
Select United Kingdom (44) as the country code.
Click Next.
The box will state, "You have successfully created a dial up network".
Click Finish.
Right click on the BTinternet icon that you have just created.
Left click on Properties.
Click on the Server types tab.
Under "Type of dial-up server" please select either the following:
"PPP: Internet, Windows NT Server, Windows 95" - (Win 95)
"PPP: Internet, Windows NT Server, Windows 98" -(Win 98)
Please make sure TCP/IP is the only option ticked on the whole screen.
(N.B. - If any other boxes are ticked, please remove the ticks by left clicking on the tick)
Left click on the TCP/IP settings button.
Select 'Server assigned named IP address'.
Select 'Server assigned named server addresses'.
Place a tick next to Use IP header compression.
Place a tick next to Use default gateway on remote network.
Click OK Twice.
Right click on the BTinternet icon.
Left click on Create Shortcut.
A box will appear stating "windows cannot create a shortcut here, would you like to place it on your desktop" - Please select YES.
A Shortcut will then have appeared on your desktop, you will then be able to click this icon on your desktop to connect to the Internet.
(Please note the first time you use this new icon, you will have to enter your username and password - to save the entered password, tick the box to save password below it)
You have now set up your dialler to connect to BTinternet.
When connected, visit site http://www.btinternet.com/software_update.html
You will need to click on the "Please click here to download the dial-in software" link. This will bring a new screen. Select "Run this program from its current location". This will install the new dial in software onto the your computer.
If we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
BTopenworld with BTinternet
BTinternet Billing: [email protected]
BTinternet Technical Support: [email protected]
Should you prefer to speak to the BTinternet Team directly you can contact us on:
BTinternet Billing: 0870 241 4567
BTinternet Technical Support: 0906 302 3456*
* Calls to the Technical Support Helpdesk are charged at 50 pence per minute from a BT line
