The Blue Blazer II is attempting to build a clearinghouse for the nasty plague of Road Runner (High Speed Cable Internet Access) problems that seem to be rendering only the Macintosh platform dead in the desert. This is not a PC or Windows resource, so please don't flood us with Windows-related problems (since the Time-Warner technical service department seems to be exclusively Wintel-based, we will refer any Wintel users to them.) Time-Warner cable beware: There is a rebel army on the loose and we aren't going to take any prisoners...

Noted problems with Road Runner and the Macintosh & possible work-arounds

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1.) The DHCP (definition) client doesn't "grab" proper IP number--returns something in the way of 169.x.x.x, which is the Macintosh's way (definition of TCP) of telling you that this isn't a valid IP number. (possible workaround)

2.) The Macintosh seems to freeze unusually long at startup, which seems to be the Macintosh waiting for a valid IP number--if it waits to long or a valid number doesn't come back, you will most likely get the 169.x.x.x vicious circle. (possible workaround)

3.) Clients complaining of shutting the Macintosh off, and the Macintosh not being able to perform on restart through Road Runner & the DHCP protocol. (possible short-term solution)

4.) General unusability & instability with basic surfing, e-mail and newsgroups. (not much of a solution)

5.) Horrible customer service and support ranging from "We will call you back..." to "We are no longer supporting new Macintoshes with Road Runner." Mileage varies from Road Runner outlet to outlet, with some reporting wonderful service and support. (common-sense solution & explanation)

6.) In some markets, implementation & deployment of new cable equipment have destroyed service all together with no good explanation to as why. (some notes & possible solutions)

7.) Uploading in some markets is slow & unreliable--for example, uploading a website to an FTP server taking 5-10 minutes per page. (no solutions yet)

8.) Some people report all problems vanished after upgrading to Macintosh OS 8.6--others do not and claim they still have massive problems even with 8.6, and some even with 8.7 alphas. (The Blazer II has noted that the problem does exist on both platforms, including early builds of Mac OS 8.7) (we are researching this)

9.) Some clients report that DHCP will not work at all on the Macintosh--ever--and the only way in to Road Runner is to type in the IP numbers manually. (The Blazer II himself is experiencing this problem) (Possible problems with this setup)

10.) Some people have reported no problems with Road Runner at all--God speed and good luck--you are one of the lucky ones. Now get out here and go surfing. (you need not e-mail me and say "I am having no problems.")

More on the way...

Links to other Road Runner sites & troubleshooting guides

Macintouch's DHCP Resource Forum
The Road Runner Macintosh coast-to-coast discussion board

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