Improve the SMC router (debate-able if it belongs here)

[geoffct]

If you are only looking to get a good deal on the SMC router go HERE:

I, like numerous other members, use a SMC 7004BR router. I bought it because seems to be about the best router around for $50-100. I perticularily liked the idea of a 56k dial-up back up. So just before the Elsa modems went on sale at compgeeks.com, I spent $80 on a 3com v.92. I tried numerous ways of setting it up. Then I called SMC. SMC says it does not automatically switch. This despite the ad claiming, "an RS232 COM port for fail-over dial-up" Well I complained my way up until I reached a manager who said, "there just isn't enough demand for us to do this." They further explained that while this maybe bad wording in the advertising they have no plans to change the advertising. He then became more honest with me, and said, "look I understand your concerns and maybe if we get enough complaints it will be fixed in the next firmware." I want it fixed, maybe some of you do too.

My idea lets use the Anandtech affect.

Go ahead and send an email to me (please just this no spam), spread this to your friends with SMC products, Even if you don't have an SMC or care about the back-up system. I will go ahead and collect these emails and send them to SMC as one email with numerous attachments. This way you do not receive un-wanted replies, and their already overworked tech support is not swamped, and hopefully we can just go straight to the top. If you would like I can forward any replies I receive.

This is my idea for the message:

Dear SMC;

I believe your company produces high quality products, however it has come to my attention that there have been some questionable advertising techniques used to sell your Barricade series routers. This part: "an RS232 COM port for fail-over dial-up" and "The RS-232 Port allows for back-up dial-up capability in case your Cable/xDSL connection goes down" seem to imply this system is automatic, when in actuallity it is not, and requires users manually change settings. In order to keep the quality name of SMC products, I would like to see this feature implemented.

Sincerly

Name
Email
Owner of (any SMC products you may own)


If this is a bad idea, or if you have a better way, let me know. Please no Class-Action yet, give them a chance first. I am planning on calculating the total number and price of all our SMC purchases.

Geoff

 

[PandaBear]

I have the same concern, but I do not agree with your opinion about that.

You got the modem and the router, and complain that it doesn't auto switch. First of all, is it really suppose to? many user like me would not like it to be auto just because if I am on the phone I don't want anything to get on the line automatically. Beside, when you first got it and found it doesn't work you can always return it to the reseller. I understand it is not something you expect but if you are not happy you can complain to them and ask SMC to refund you.

I am sure they want to do that than come up with a new firmware for such a feature. I am a firmware engineer and I know how hard it is to incorporate this kind of auto feature after the whole thing is done.

 

[wolfcry1]

Geoff,
I too own the SMC7004BR and was disappointed to learn that I didn't have the dial-up back-up feature. I hope others respond and we can get SMC to correct this. Nice router otherwise...

 

[hevnsnt]

how about an email address?

 

[Jitterbug050]

I have the same router but figured I would use it as a cable OR dial-up. I guess I don't see the need for auto switch. I have cable and if it goes out it is not for long. Also it is not like I keep a dial-up in case the cable goes out. If one has a cable account and pay for a dial-up for a back-up they must need to be on the net real bad. Maybe it is from my history with my cable. I can count on one had the times in the last year the cable has gone down, and only for a few hours at most.
I would not think it nessary to auto switch for a home unit. It is not mission critical stuff here, it is for home use.
I do agree with you if they advertise it as an auto switch it should do it. Makes one think what else does not work as advertised? Most people will do some research on an item they want to buy, and have a list of features they want. If this was on my list, I would make them take it back because it does not do what I need it to do. The box says it does this, this and this. It does not do one of them, they broke the contract by not giving you what you paid for. Make it do what the box says, or take it back for full refund.

 

[todays]

It might work. I complained about not being able to put in any MAC address for cable modem users, and they fixed it in the lastet bios. Before it would only clone a nic.

 

[JasonK]

Okay, which AD are you refering to, when you say it supports back up dialup support? The only thing i see that on is the 7004ABR. To my knowledge the BR model does not have back up dial support, and will not support it. Is it on the box?