Exact Steps For Getting Into Tech Support Mode?

beisser wrote:
nothing, this should work.

Bingo! I guess the third time is the charm.

51370

RAIDar is now seeing the box and displaying "TELNET- 51370".

Anybody care to poke around right now?

Existing CaseID = 1432 6926.

Oops... somebody in support has closed that one.

New CaseID = 1441 6542.

Had a brief semi-conversation with guy #480052, but the connection was hopeless. It's been about half an hour and he has not called back.

EDIT 2011 16:16:
"Ok... lets call these guys back...."

1st Call:
On hold most of the time, call dropped at 5:39

2nd Call:
00:00 Dialed 888-NETGEAR, started the clock.
05:30 Got through to an operator
06:24 In response to my question of whether I was talking to Level-3 or not, operator told me that I was now connected to "Level 3" support
08:24 Finally got down to business with "Level 3" guy.
20:30 Established that this person was permitted only to give advice over phone, was unable to telnet into my box, and did not believe it possible remotely.
24:30 Finally convinced the guy it was possible and people were doing it. He then said the "GearHead" department could do that and said he would transfer.
31:05 Same guy came back on line to confirm my case#, said again he was transferring call
32:30 Lady came on line to confirm CaseID and phone number and ask what the problem was.
33:45 Lady said she was going to transfer me to a technician. This lady's was almost impossible to understand bco a heavy accent.
35:07 Guy came on line, asked what the problem was.
39:03 "Just a moment, let me check..."
40:30 "How many hard drives are in the device?"
42:00 "We cannot support devices with six hard drives.." Said he would transfer me.
42:43 Lady #2 picked up, asked for CaseID, confirmed email, said she would transfer me.
42:50 Guy came on, really bad connection. Said he would call back.
45:48 "Eric" called back within the minute, good connection, asked for CaseID.
46:55 "Please stay on the line while I check your account"
48:07"You are in the wrong department. I will transfer you."
53:34 Started getting ring tones.
55:09 After the tenth ring, "Thank you for choosing NetGear. Your call cannot be completed.... We apologize... Goodbye."

Oh well....