[TelstraClear] Telstra Helpdesk: Dynalink modem life expectancy = 1 yr????

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bigal_nz

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#30793 21-Feb-2009 18:22

I went to a friends house to help them with a brandband problem.

They had a Dynalink 1320 I think (the basic one).

Anyway after confirming a dead modem I rang Telstra Clear and I was shocked to be told that the life expectancy of a Dynalink modem is 1 year??? What??? Thats the bare minimum that they can get away with to comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act, but lets face in reality most of us expect a modem to last several years.

My Linksys is at least 5 years old.

If this is true, they only last 12 year, then Dynalink is crap.
If its false, then Telstra are shying away from any responsobility after 1 year.

Whats worse they wanted $69 for a replacement (which of course will apparently only last 1 year! Ha)

Anyone else been told this by Telstra?

I cant believe they were voted best ISP?

-Al

ZollyMonsta

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#197155 21-Feb-2009 19:19

Most likely that's mis-communication and it should have been stated that warranty is only for 1 year.

eXDee

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#197168 21-Feb-2009 20:08

Specifically the RTA1320 i would agree has a life expectancy of 1 year in real terms. These modems run incredibly hot and are known to fail. I recommend to anyone who owns one to at least raise it off the desk with two pencils for example, or preferably given extra airflow, including simply ripping off the plastic casing, which many have done with success (lower temperatures), though voids the warranty, it'll probably last longer.

However its only this specific model, my RTA1025w runs more solid than telstras PPP server which keeps going down, and works great after more than 3+ years. Its running 24/7 and works great.

imo they shouldnt ask $69 for a replacement, telecom is well known to replace anyones faulty modem free of charge. If they still ask for it, pull out the CGA.

DjShadow

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#197182 21-Feb-2009 22:14

I would agree with the comments about the 1320 running awfully hot, Mum who has one of these noted her internet would go down periodically and a reboot of the router seems to help. She did for some time have the router in direct sunlight so it got real hot, I have since relocated it to somewhere constantly shaded but you can see a darker colour in the plastic over what I assume is the power supply. I wouldn't be supprised however if it keeps getting that hot if it dies eventually.

ajobbins

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#197196 22-Feb-2009 00:04

I had 2x RTA1320's die in a little over 18 months. Both ran very hot.

Currently using the Telecom supplied Thompson, which is a piece of crap and allows very little user configuration.

Keeping an eye out for a reasonably prices Cisco 877 to replace it.

bigal_nz

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#197233 22-Feb-2009 11:11

Well it sounds confirmed then the 1320s only last one year.

Shame on Telstra for selling such an inforeior product and shame on Dynalink for continuing to sell a product that clearly has a design flaw.

I dont know of any other modem that has a life of 1 year.

They might as well put a $69 annual tarrif on all there acconts.

Stink Telstra.

Nety

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#197250 22-Feb-2009 12:17

I take it you can provide your own modem if you wish? If so I would go down that path. Spend a little more and get something that is not going to fall over in 12 months.

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eXDee

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#197285 22-Feb-2009 15:35

As i said dont make you think their whole line of products are bad, the RTA1025w is sweet and has topped many line sync/stability tests in the past.

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Ragnor

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#197338 22-Feb-2009 19:28

bigal_nz: Well it sounds confirmed then the 1320s only last one year.

Shame on Telstra for selling such an inforeior product and shame on Dynalink for continuing to sell a product that clearly has a design flaw.

I dont know of any other modem that has a life of 1 year.

They might as well put a $69 annual tarrif on all there acconts.

Stink Telstra.

Many computer parts have a warranty of 1 year, it doesn't mean they will fail after 1 year at all.

I am using a Dyanlink 1320 here and have been for about 2 years with no problem, as with anything your mileage will vary. I'm sure their are people who've had their modem fail after about a year but I highly doubt it's more than a few % of the modems in use.

bigal_nz

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#197353 22-Feb-2009 20:29

Ragnor:
bigal_nz: Well it sounds confirmed then the 1320s only last one year.

Shame on Telstra for selling such an inforeior product and shame on Dynalink for continuing to sell a product that clearly has a design flaw.

I dont know of any other modem that has a life of 1 year.

They might as well put a $69 annual tarrif on all there acconts.

Stink Telstra.

Many computer parts have a warranty of 1 year, it doesn't mean they will fail after 1 year at all.

I am using a Dyanlink 1320 here and have been for about 2 years with no problem, as with anything your mileage will vary. I'm sure their are people who've had their modem fail after about a year but I highly doubt it's more than a few % of the modems in use.

Well I am going on the fact that if Telstra Clear helpdesk are quoting 1 year, and lets face it they should know given the thousands they have sold, then it sure sounds like its more than just a few percent!!

And yes, many products with a warranty of 1 year last for much longer, thats exactly my point, to have a product like a modem that only last 1 year, especially due to a over heat issue, is poor design - and has a life that only meets consumer guarantees act minium life.

I have taken the old 1320 apart, it looks like the radial electrolytic caps have failed - poss due to the over heat - might try to replace em.

-Al

Ragnor

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#197391 23-Feb-2009 01:39

Telstraclear give out this modem for free with new PDQ connections so actually it didn't cost your friend anything.

Having it fail after it's warranty perioid is unlucky but I don't think you can say categorically say this model has a short lifespan given the sheer number of them that are out there an in use without any problems.

You can normally get an as new unused RTA 1320 on trademe for ~$20-30 because so many ISP's give them out as the single port "starter" adsl modem for new customers.

People say the RTA 1320 produces a lot of heat or runs hot which I would agree with but my Linksys AM300 also runs pretty hot too.

Bottom line is... if you are not happy with the quality of this model then get your friend to buy something else.

Kevzone

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#197470 23-Feb-2009 15:43

Same thing happened to me, however mine was under the 12 months old.... just.

It was replaced free of charge of course, but with only the remainder of the Warranty.

No 12 month warranty from the date it was replaced with a new one, so if it clapped out in a couple of weeks I would be up for the full cost of replacement on essentually a new unit.

Did not exactly instill confidence in the product.

dolsen

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#197482 23-Feb-2009 16:24

I had to replace the cap in mine after about 3 months use (but, after the warranty expired as it wasn’t used for a long period of time). I think it was just 1 cap I replaced, but, it could have been 2.

My modem runs very hot, and, I think the rating on the cap was 16V, with 12V running through it. Those figures might not be accurate, but, I remember thinking at the time that it wasn't surprising the cap died.

It's still working now after quite some time - the plastic has discolured due to the heat, but, it seems to be quite reliable.

Given the number of sites that show how to replace the cap, I'd say this partular model (RTA1320) might not be the best, but, other dynalink gear I've used has worked well.

bigal_nz

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#197499 23-Feb-2009 17:06

Yeah I saw the caps were leaking my try to fix myself.

-Al

Behodar

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#197723 24-Feb-2009 12:29

I have a RTA1320 from when PDQ was first introduced (2006?) and it's still working fine. I got a second one from Telstra when I moved into my new house, and I still have my old RTA020 from 2001 which worked last time I tried it. So I have spares if my current one falls over :)