magicJack and MagicJack Plus Support, Reviews, FAQs and Hacks

PATSYLOLLY · MagicJack Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Saw the ad for MJ. Was excited about it,what with paying so much for phone service thru my phone provider.Ordered it,it arrived promptly.Followed the simple instructions,and all went well,for a few days.Then my modem broke.Coincidence? Maybe,but probably not.OK,$70 for new modem.Re-installed Mj,worked pretty well the first few weeks with only a few problems.I was so excited about this product,I was telling everyone about it,I still couldn't believe it myself.I had cancelled my regular phone service and was pleased with myself that I had gotten a way around paying the high price of phone service.Then all Hell broke loose.Mj was dropping calls left and right,it would disappear,re-load.I have spent many hours with tech support.I did not have any trouble reaching tech support,but each one would go thru the same process,unplug,download this program,disable firewall,try another port,and blah,blah,blah.One evening I spent 5 hours with tech support.They did try,but the result was always the same.Day after day I would contact them.I really wanted this thing to work.Trial period is over,so can not return.I'm so frustrated,I could scream.Now will have to get my regular phone service re-installed(at a fee).By the way,I stopped at radio shack to purchase an AC powered USB hub(recommended by tech support)(radio Shack said it would not help) They now sell MJ for $39.99(in case anyone wants to purchase,but would not recommend.)This product was a good idea.IF IT WORKED! Now my friends just laugh when I have to call them back on my cell phone,because MJ has dropped the call.No fool like an old fool!
Patti Heinrich

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PTravel · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject:

So much wrong with this post:

1. If your modem failed, it was coincidence.
2. MagicJack works great for most people, including me -- I have three, running on three different computers. I have one at home, one at work and one that I use wherever on my laptop. Two run under XPe Pro, one runs under Vista.
3. You're getting advice from Radio Shack? That says a lot right there.
4. The purpose of the powered hub is because some computers don't provide sufficient power to USB ports to support a high-draw device like the MagicJack. A powered USB port usually will (though I wouldn't vouch for Radio Shack products).
5. People who have problems with MagicJack generally do so because of (a) incompatibility with other software installed on their computers, e.g. firewalls, anti-virus, etc., and/or (b) a poor-quality internet connection, which can result from an improperly-configured router, bad or improperly configured WiFi connections or simply lousy service provided by the ISP.
6. QOS settings are frequently the problem. Far easier to turn off QOS at the computer and router and add something like the Hawking Broad Band Booster, which is a hardware QOS device.
7. People who leave posts like this, demonstrating that they have very little familiarity with computers, should probably avoid the MagicJack, as they tend to blame this piece of hardware for their own shortcomings.
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PATSYLOLLY · MagicJack Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

You are absolutely correct.I am computer illiterate. So when the instructions say,plug in your phone and plug into usb port,I figure I could handle that. When tech support tells me to disable my firewall,I did so,but not comfortable with that.While I don't know very much,I think this is not a good idea.As far as your thoughts on Radio Shack,well,they are selling MagicJack now.If you would like another laugh at my incompetentcy,I purchased a product on-line yesterday(still not ready to give up on MagicJack) called ActiveSpeed to boost my computer.Too soon to tell yet,but I think it may do the trick.Thanks for the reply,although you sound a bit angry,but I'll take any constructive criticism.I'm sure there are a lot of others like me.

PTravel · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 3:59 am Post subject:

I'm not angry. I do have a problem when someone who is a self-described computer illiterate comes to a website dedicated to using the MagicJack and pronounces it not work jack sh_t. If you want to fault MagicJack for something, it's their incredibly poor technical support (which is legendary). That is not, however, any different than the first-tier support that I receive from other tech vendors, including Sony (who manufactured my $2,000 laptop).

As far as Radio Shack goes, do you really expect minimum-wage teenagers will be able to provide competent advice on arcane technical issues?

I'm sure that, if you post a thread titled, "Please help -- problems with my MagicJack," you'll get lots of helpful suggestions. There are lots of regulars here who know far more about computers, generally, and the MagicJack, specifically, than the MagicJack "support" people (and Radio Shack store clerks). Start by telling us what computer you're using, what firewall, anti-virus and malware software is installed, how you connect to the internet (DSL, cable or something else), and whether you're using a router and, if so, what brand.

Remember, the overwhelming majority of people have no problems at all with their MagicJack -- just read the threads from the people who are happy with the product. Voice-over-IP (VOIP) is still a relatively new technology and there are many variables that can effect the quality. I'd tried a number of products, including Skype, but I haven't found anything as reliable and with such high voice quality as MagicJack. And, no, I have nothing to do with the company, other than being a satisfied customers, nor do I have any affiliation with this website, aside from taking advantage of the enormous knowledge base that it represents.
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PATSYLOLLY · MagicJack Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hmmm,if you do not work for them,you should really consider getting a job there,but not as tech support(don't think you could handle computer illiterates like me)"So Easy,Your Grandma Could Do It" I am that Grandma,and I can't make it work.But I have not totally given up yet,though I have given up on the tech support,will try to figure this out on my own.I will try the sites you have mentioned,though I have looked at some and it boggles my mind at all the computer jargon they are using.There should be a "MagicJack for Dummies" site. So glad it is working fine for you.By the way,I did not go to Radio Shack for help,Iwent there for a usb hub,and when he asked the purpose,he said it would not help.Good Luck to you.No need to reply,I think you have said quite enough,and I got to vent my frustration.

fparkin · MagicJack Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

i got magicjack running on a vista dell note book work fine as long got good phone plugged in it