Virgin media installation - engineer asked for computer password

englishpremier · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:18

Having 50mb VM installed today.

I'm at work, but there is someone in.

The engineer has asked for password to my computer.

This was relayed to me by the gf who is completely non-tech savvy.

Why would he want this?

axer · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:20

Probably to check the throughput via something like speedtest.net before leaving?

englishpremier · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:23

Girlfriend said she told him I run linux, and he said something like i'll have to sort it out myself.

Apparently he tried to plug some kind of stick into the computer, but said the PC didn't recognise it. i.e no drivers for it.

iamtheoneneo · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:26

yeh he might not have his lap top with him and he wants to check the speed properly to prevent getting called out again.

englishpremier · 5 Dec 2011 at 10:29

fair enough. I told her to use to get him to use her phone and do whatever via wifi.

If they are issued with laptops, he probably left in the van and didn't want to go downstairs. lol

Guess i'll see what i've got when i get home. eek!

marc2003 · 5 Dec 2011 at 11:11

i had virgin installed last friday and the engineer didn't check my connection speeds at all. all he wanted me to do was start my PC and open a browser. you have to go through a registration process on the VM website. the browser automatically re-directed there. you can't browse anything else until that registration is complete. as soon as he could see my pc could access this site, he left.

Dave85 · 5 Dec 2011 at 12:49

Engineer has a site they sign into for installs and can run speed tests etc also they check the modem levels if they can be bothered. But as you said they have there own equiptment for that as they had to many issues with customers claiming they borked the pc a few years back.

SeeKified · 5 Dec 2011 at 15:59

If they want to check line stats, they have their own (much more sophisticated) gear for that.

janp · 5 Dec 2011 at 16:28

They generally use your PC to activate the modem/connection. They also install a TCP optimiser for XP based machines. I believe they also offer to setup the routers WIFI password etc. And finally they'll run a speed test from your machine.