Configuring MSN satellite on non-compaq PC... help!

[Unclemo]

I am about to purchase MSN Gilat-To-Home Two-way Satellite Internet. However, they make ya buy a "preconfigured compaq presario" PC. Does anyone know how or if it is possible to buy this crappy PC and then reconfigure your own PC to handle the satellite connection? I have a current network running through NT4 server with dual processor and SCSi... that is much better than the Compaq running windows me. I am desperate need of this internet service and would even shell out the 1200 bucks for the crappy PC... but only if I know I can figure out how to configure my own server to run there stuff. Anyone know anything? I believe it is using a ethernet card... and my guess is that they are just being anal and making you use there connection software... as many internet isp dial-ups try to distribute for people to install to dial in...

Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[ffwd]

I had been waiting for this service to become availible, I am also one of those who has no other option. I had no idea that I would have to purchase an other pc with it. Thats MS at it's best as usual. How much for the monthly service?

 

[Unclemo]

The monthly service is $59 a month. Pretty high... but I would do it. I hate the thought of a crappy PC and no way am I going to run it as a server with windows me on it. It makes me so angry that they make ya buy a cruddy PC at such at 1200 bucks. If I could just know that I could configure my own server to handle the satellite connection I would buy the junk anyways.

 

[ffwd]

When I read about this service they were saying that there was more msn involved I think. As always, I'm sure the price will drop in a year and there will be more options. I've waited 5 years I'll wait one more. Unless we sell before and move closer to cable, which is actaully one block over from our home and they won't run the cable.

 

[Unclemo]

I wrote a bitching email to Radio Shack saying I will wait until someone else offers it... although it is not radio shack's fault they should and do have the power to persuade for a better product and service. Not many people are going to shell out 1200 bucks and 59 a month for this. It will backfire on them. Anyone that wants broadband and will settle with a sat. dish already has at least one PC... oh well, I guess I will be waiting longer too.

 

[GSmith]

Is that $59/month with unlimited usage, or do they limit bandwith like DirectPC? I'm another of those with no other option at the moment. 200 yds too far from the switch for DSL and the cable company has been promising access "in 1-2 months" for almost 3 years now. ISDN is available, but would cost more per month than the satellite.

If the $1200 includes the dish and installation, I might be willing to sell the PC for around $600 and just eat the rest to finally have something better than the 30k connection that they call 56k.

 

[Unclemo]

Yes it is unlimited... 1200 includes dish and installation. I feel the same way. I am so desperate that I would buy the crappy PC and either sell it for half or give it to some family member.. but no way do I want to use it. I don't want to use Windows ME for my server and a PC with onboard video just does not turn me on. So, I have to find out if I can configure my own PC to use their stuff.

 

[ffwd]

You know I'm so wanting for a faster connection that since I first read your post I have been racking my brain to see if we could make this package work for us. Then at 12.00 A.M. it hit me. MSN Internet Service + Compaq + Windows ME. What a freaking nightmare!!!!!!!:disgust:

 

[Unclemo]

yhea... if I could just use another PC and NT or linux that would eleminate two of the three!

 

[GSmith]

I'm gonna have to wait at least 2 weeks anyway before I decide. Started a new job 2 weeks ago and I wont get my 1st paycheck for another 2. After talking to a Cisco tech that was doing some work for us this week, Ameritech might be dropping their prices for ISDN soon too and including free ISP with it. He said it should be $50-55 with the ISP.

I really dont want to have to use their computer and MSN. If I can set it up on my own system with either 98se or 2000 I still might do it. At least its not AOL

 

[Unclemo]

They emailed back to me and said that in January they should be offering a stand alone version without the PC.. so I guess that is what I will be waiting for.

 

[Unclemo]

They emailed back to me and said that in January they should be offering a stand alone version without the PC.. so I guess that is what I will be waiting for.

 

[ffwd]

Thats good news, guess we will keep waiting too.
Thanks for the info.

 

[ffwd]

It seems that system is availible without a Pc. Dishfree.com is taking names for a release date on November 1st. $399.00 for the entire system.

http://www.dishfree.com/

 

[Unclemo]

Thanks... checking it out now...