Question regarding VM 50mb and the superhub.

Doctor McNinja · 4 May 2011 at 04:15

I've ordered an upgrade to 50mb from VM... unfortunately before I had read the reviews of the (what would seem to be the rather ironically named) superhub. If I can get an alternative to the superhub I still intend to get the upgrade but If I can't, I'm cancelling.

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to get an alternative modem (you know... one that isn't a turd)? I've read posts on various forums saying that it is possible but all the posts were dated 2010 so the situation may have changed.

quickshot89 · 4 May 2011 at 07:12

Try ringing CS?

Aod · 4 May 2011 at 07:36

when my old standalone-modem died in about mid-march (housemate spilled water on it :mad:

) i rung up Virgin for a replacement. when the engineer came with the superhub I asked him if I couldn't have a normal standalone modem, and he said that Virgin don't have any old modems left and the superhub has completely replaced them.

it's still worth a call to ask, or to ask the engineer when he does the install.

that said, the superhub really isn't /that/ bad. it's not great but it isn't terrible either. it's nowhere-near as bad as most of the posts on the internet make out.

TheEnosFam · 4 May 2011 at 07:41

I recently had a problem with my VM service and they replaces my old modem with a suprehub. I have not noticed any problems with it. Only thing I know is since i've had it my upstream frequency went from 48( old modem) to 41(superhub) which is a lot better signal . Only thing I will say is the wifi on it sucks. If i am on my PC which is plugged in with ethernet cable and the wife goes on her wifi laptop, if i try to play a game her net almost doesn't work at all.

I am just curious to see why some of you are turning away from this superhub. May be something i need to look into?

RedGooner · 4 May 2011 at 11:02

Check the VM forums...also depends on the engineer if he has one of the older VM modems...

New firmware due soon to turn SuperHub into Modem only mode...But dont hold your breath...

Darkman · 4 May 2011 at 11:37

Even if the tech has an old modem (unlikely) they can only fit the Soupy Hub now.

It's a real step backwards for the tech savvy consumer but it's easier to maintain (i.e. swap) for virgin. The wifi signal and range is poor and the device is slower (on my connection) than an equivalent modem but I'm stuck with it. It's the lack of features that is particularly galling though and the fact that I have to reboot it at least weekly.

All in all, if you can wait until virgin get their act together I'd stick with what you've got.

londonbairn · 4 May 2011 at 12:02

If we enable wireless on our superhub, we get at least 5 disconnects a day, so we turned WLAN off, plugged in a DIR615 and now its rock solid.

Doctor McNinja · 4 May 2011 at 15:44

rafster said:
If we enable wireless on our superhub, we get at least 5 disconnects a day, so we turned WLAN off, plugged in a DIR615 and now its rock solid.

Pretty much what I'm going to try.

I've been on the phone for about fifteen minutes today talking to one of the VM customer service guys. He answered all the questions I had, including about the superhub (he stop just short of calling it a pile of ***p). Long story short, if I'm very lucky the installation engineer might have a standalone modem.

I'm just going to try the 50mb out for a few days and if need be (and if the horror stories are representative of the service) I'll downgrade to the 20mb service. It's so frustrating that a) the superhub is pants an b) virgin media don't offer an alternative... you can't even use your own hardware as it has to be registered to the company.

[EDIT] I've been told that my best chance of getting a standalone modem, is to request one directly from the CEO, so I've emailed him explaining why I need a separate modem and router. I'll be sure to let you all know if I have any luck.

Doctor McNinja · 4 May 2011 at 19:50

Sent the email to the CEO about half an hour ago and I've just had someone from VM on the phone to tell me someone who knows what's what will ring back tomorrow... no bad goin'.

TheEnosFam · 4 May 2011 at 20:12

Doctor McNinja said:
Sent the email to the CEO about half an hour ago and I've just had someone from VM on the phone to tell me someone who knows what's what will ring back tomorrow... no bad goin'.

The thing is none of them know what's what. I just spent 2 1/2 months complaining about my internet going down at random times like 20 times a day. It took them 2 1/2 months to change the splitter out in the side walk that runs to my house. I was without proper working net for 3 months 3 weeks of which i had no net at all. I called so many times they credited my account enough times that now I should not have to pay them for net phone or cable until August of this year. Nothing they could say as I had 150+ screen shots up my upscale power frequency dropping of the charts and making my modem reboot itself. Was quite a lengthy process but now all is said and done I shall enjoy me free virgin media for a few more months!!

TheEnosFam · 4 May 2011 at 20:14

Doctor McNinja said:
[EDIT] I've been told that my best chance of getting a standalone modem, is to request one directly from the CEO, so I've emailed him explaining why I need a separate modem and router. I'll be sure to let you all know if I have any luck.

Please let us know how this works out for you. As i never had problem with Wifi in my house until i got this crap thing now my poor wife can barely use her laptop if I am on my computer.

londonbairn · 4 May 2011 at 20:48

Try using a dir615 with the superhub and disable wlan on superhub

TheEnosFam · 4 May 2011 at 20:59

I'll give it a go. Have to go get one though. Wish i could have kept my old modem but they wouldn't let me. I was confusing the poor people on the phone when i said my cable light was off they would say sir your modem doesn't have a cable light. I would laugh and be like OK so what is this light that has the word cable next to it? Sorry sir you must have one of our old modems we will upgrade that for you. I got through 3 technicians trying to take it until one guy come i pretty much said if i didn't take the new modem they wouldn't help me fix my problem. some of the funniest times i have had in the last few months dealing with these suppose senior techs.

Also could someone report back on the 30 or 50mb and let me know if it is decent / worth the upgrade. I am on standard 10MB but for the £3 more i would like 30mb just afraid it might mess things up again and i have just got this all sorted out a week ago.

Doctor McNinja · 5 May 2011 at 01:06

TheEnosFam said:
Please let us know how this works out for you. As i never had problem with Wifi in my house until i got this crap thing now my poor wife can barely use her laptop if I am on my computer.

Will do.

When we first got Virgin broadband my mother said it was on the understanding that the wireless was reliable (as she requires it for the committees she's a member of), so the last thing I want to do is have the wireless ***p out and be in the doghouse.

TheEnosFam · 5 May 2011 at 07:20

Maybe we just need to get enough people complaining about it and they will have to do something sooner or later.

Randall8686 · 5 May 2011 at 16:21

Just FYI i use the Superhub as a Modem only and it goes into my own router and from there is where my hard-wired and wireless items attach... Works a Treat

Doctor McNinja · 5 May 2011 at 17:24

I've just received an email from VM saying that they understand my concerns regarding the superhub and that they'd send standalone modem as a temporary replacement. I wonder what they mean by "temporary"?

I let you guys know what modem they send me.

TheEnosFam · 5 May 2011 at 17:38

Yes please let us know. Also need to talk them into sending a separate wireless modem as well. BTW, can you give me the Email address or who I need to Email or at least point me in the right direction anyone? Thanks.

Doctor McNinja · 5 May 2011 at 18:48

TheEnosFam said:
Yes please let us know. Also need to talk them into sending a separate wireless modem as well. BTW, can you give me the Email address or who I need to Email or at least point me in the right direction anyone? Thanks.

Try emailing neil.berkett at virginmedia.co.uk He's a CEO so talk posh innit.

[EDIT] You could also try marc.voller at virginmedia.co.uk He's also a CEO.

TheEnosFam · 5 May 2011 at 19:08

Thanks a lot with send them both an Email tonight letting them know this thing is rubbish. I get better reception from my neighbor across the streets BT wifi signal, not that i can connect to it(passwords and what not). While my laptop is 5 feet away from my supposed superhub. Got to love it

I say from now on we call it SuperRub as it is Superbly Rubbish