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My cat peed on my Freebox!!!

beboubill -  
dna.factory Posted messages 19928 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   -
Hello, here is my problem. The day before yesterday, I turned on my PC ready to browse the web and my PC informed me that I was not connected to the internet. So, I went to check the connections on my ADSL box and noticed that my box was damp and smelled like cat urine; I then understood that my kitten had had a little fun on it. I unplugged everything and tried to clean it with wipes and dry it with a hairdryer. But today, still no internet, and my box shows 4 green lights, then 88:88 but no internet!!! I think my box must have burned out due to the pee. So I would like to know if this issue has ever happened to you and if I will have to pay 200 euros for a new box?? I have financial issues, so I cannot pay that amount, so if you have any advice for me, please. I have also contacted Free and I'm waiting for a response from them.

Thank you for your help

Configuration: Windows 7 / Internet Explorer 8.0

3 answers

  1.
    polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
     
    Hello,

    You just need to call FREE and tell them that your BOX is not working anymore without mentioning that it's the cat.....like you came home one evening and it just stopped working without any details, and they should replace it without questioning.

    However, make sure to dry it well with a hairdryer before sending it back and.....get rid of the cat ;-)

    --
    All problems have a solution, if there is no solution, then there is no problem.
    4
    1. beboubill
       
      The problem is that I didn't think it would cost that much, so yesterday when I called them, I told them it was due to cat pee :S I'm going to try to call back pretending that the man made a mistake ^^ But the smell of the pee is really stuck though, so it's going to be difficult to get rid of the odor :( And for the cat, I love animals too much to hurt it xD But she got a good smack, the naughty one ;-)

      Thank you anyway for your help :)
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    2. polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
       
      It's unfortunate... you should have thought it through beforehand; it's going to be hard to make up for it.
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    3. beboubill
       
      I'm going to say that the gentleman misunderstood the phone and that I don't know, like my cat peed on the floor during the call, lol, and so he must have confused it and thought I was talking about the box, haha.

      Because 200 euros is outrageous!! :O At worst, if they want me to pay, I will threaten to cancel with them. We're not obligated to stay with a provider that charges so much for a little accident that isn't our fault when we don't have money anyway?
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    4. polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
       
      Sure, keep us updated.
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  2. Anonymous user
     
    Hi

    there are products to clean electronic components.

    --
    willpower allows you to climb on the sims.
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    1. polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
       
      Yes, but the FREEBOX is the property of FREE and it is forbidden to open it.
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    2. beboubill
       
      Yes, I don't dare to open it if it means paying more :'(

      I would really like to know if there is a way to replace my case without paying, or if I can buy a cheap one somewhere?
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    3. polux125 Posted messages 53 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   729
       
      You can replace the Freebox with a standard modem router, but you will no longer have telephony or TV, only internet.
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    4. beboubill
       
      I only needed the internet, I am a young woman of 22 who knows nothing about all this. Can you tell me precisely what I should buy, and where? How to set it up? What to do with my current box, etc...?

      Thank you.
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  3. dna.factory Posted messages 19928 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 621
     
    As for going through Free, it's tricky...
    Either you open it up for a thorough cleaning, and the warranty is void,
    or you don't open it, and they'll see that the cat has peed inside, and the warranty goes out the window...
    In these conditions, there's not really any regret in opening it, but if you don't know what to do afterwards, you won't really be any further along.

    You can try to use your home insurance (the thing that we pay for and forget, but it could cost more in excess than the reimbursement)

    As for using another router, for example this one:
    http://www.surcouf.com/F-10705-modem/P-179589-d-link-dsl-2680-routeur-modem-sans-fil-adsl2-n-150
    it works very well (at least, it worked very well at Orange), but it requires a bit of knowledge (or help to configure), and a lot of help or knowledge to set up the TV and the phone (I'm sure it's possible by tinkering, but I don't know how to do it)

    --
    Stop failing the Turing test!
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    1. beboubill
       
      Yes, it's frustrating with Free. I'm not sure if, once received, they will open it to check the issue and if I can mask the smell with products. I'll ask them, and then I'll go for a regular router, hoping I can tinker with it. But then the question is, what will I do with the Freebox? Should I send it back? But in that case, I would have to pay :S Should I keep it and not say anything to Free?? Will my internet connect directly with the new router or do I need to call Free for help in setting it up? Which seems unlikely given the situation xD.
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    2. dna.factory Posted messages 19928 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 621
       
      First of all, for the box, it all depends on your type of acquisition. If it's a rental, you will probably have to pay anyway, in which case, you might as well try to tell them it’s not working, and they will change/repair it.
      If you bought it, then the box is yours, and you have no obligation to them.

      Regarding the smell... trying to mask it might make the situation worse.
      By the way, when you call the hotline, remember this fundamental truth: you are a young girl...
      The technician will most likely be a guy (I don't need to spell it out :p).
      Knowing that it’s possible they might offer you an exchange without worrying about the why (it happened to a colleague with a beer-soaked keyboard).

      To set up the internet with a new box, it obviously won’t work right away,
      you will need to follow the steps indicated by Polux, and indeed, if needed, you can call Free.
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    3. beboubill
       
      Yes, it's a rental :(

      Ahhh okay xD in that case, I will try to make my voice as nice and sweet as possible lol

      I will see what happens as soon as they get back to me and I will keep you updated then :)

      Thank you for your help anyway!!
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    4. dna.factory Posted messages 19928 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 621
       
      ouch, a rental...
      that means you absolutely have to return it anyway (either today or when you cancel).
      that means if they determine it's your fault, you'll have to pay.


      that also means they'll provide you with another one in its place, and you don't have to worry about manual setup.

      (or, you can configure another router and hope that in a year, when you discreetly return the box without saying anything, it won't smell anymore...)

      I repeat, check with your home insurance, you are covered for a lot of things that are useless, so you never know. worst case, you might have a paid option for next time.
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