Please post any software issue or problems upgrading VCA here.
Does anyone else think the new version of the Verizon Call Assistant is horrible? I downloaded it yesterday, and it sucks. It's not listing any of my calls or voicemails. What is the point then?!
I want the old one back.
I'm experiencing the same issues. I can't see when a call is coming in or listen to my VM. Whenever I try accessing my VM, I keep getting the message "Please wait until your status is online." I got no clue what that means - as I am already online - and I have no one @ Verizon I can call in to find out what's going on
Not sure why they changed something that was working just fine for this frustrating version!!???
Have either of you called the VCA hotline? If not, why not? That is the proper way to report a problem with VCA.
__________________________________JustinVerizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phoneQIP6416-P1, IMG 1.7C, Build 09.83Keller, TX 76248
Justin,
The only number I knew to call was (800) VER-IZON. I did indeed contact them in attempt to find out what's going on, but no one there seemed to have ever heard of call assistant.
I did spend some time in attempt to get a phone number where I could speak with some one that actually knew what I was refering to. Eventually my search brought me to this forum, which I was previously unaware of.
It may be a good suggestion for the VCA tech support to publicize their specific contact number in a way which makes it easier for us regular folks to find. (Perhaps in the Help Menu in the software program itself..)
{please keep your posts courteous} I have the same problem. The new VCA is awful. Verizon should be embarrassed to say the least.
Not only horrible, just plain terrible. Even if you turn off sidebar functionality it still pops in front when your mouse hits the side of the screen where the sidebar would be. Thankfully I had the old version installer still on my machine. Wow...and I thought the old version was a bit of a joke. Verizon either needs to hire a programmer or consultant that has a clue or just throw in the towel and call it an unsupported feature of being a Verizon phone customer.
-A
@ak wrote: Not only horrible, just plain terrible. Even if you turn off sidebar functionality it still pops in front when your mouse hits the side of the screen where the sidebar would be. Thankfully I had the old version installer still on my machine. Wow...and I thought the old version was a bit of a joke. Verizon either needs to hire a programmer or consultant that has a clue or just throw in the towel and call it an unsupported feature of being a Verizon phone customer.-A
I have to agree with most of what you say, the new version is pretty bad. And the new client doesn't even seem to include some of the stuff they have said on the VCA website was coming "soon." The one thing you say that I have not experienced is the sidebar popping up after being disabled, that does not happen for me (Windows 7, maybe that makes a difference).
Fortunately I have Caller ID on TV here in North Texas so I really don't need the VCA client running
For the record, I was originally unaware of both this Forum and the VCA website. My search for help brought me to this forum first, where I found someone else that was as frustrated as me at that time.
After my first posting I did indeed find the proper website, but after several attempts at gaining access to no avail, it became apparent that the VCA site was also not functioning properly. [Btw, I also don't believe Justin's "Contact page" will realistically help most customer's who will never know how to find it..]
I will therefore reiterate my prior suggestion to include the relevant contact info directly within the program.
I'm not sure why the VCA staff would not want to make things more user-friendly in case us regular folks experience a problemn???
Thank You.
So? Has anyone figured out yet how to delete this new awful, non-functioning version and replace it with the old one? I still had the old program download version on my computer and tried to install it - but all it gave me was two shortcuts and sign-ins leading to the same awful new version. I'm afraid to totally delete it first, for fear of losing my entire addressbook. HELP!
After the usual frustrating runaround on the Verizon website (blank stares from automated online assistant), non-functioning chat assistant (unavailable "today"), and no option to send an email (every time I tried to fill out the fields on the request-for-tech-assistance page, I was bounced to the online, no-human-contact sites) - - I went back to square one. Me.
Fortunately I still had the old 2.7.55 download file on my computer. I gingerly deleted the new, non-functioning, non-user-friendly version 2.7.70 from my computer (praying that I did not lose my entire address book), and reinstalled the trusty old 2.7.55.
Note to Verizon .... Please let us know when you have a new, improved, functional version of the Verizon Call Assistant (VCA).
Similar problems to others at first, but now it seems to allow me in.
I did find a user guide for Verizon Call Assistant online, but it talks about the "Netscape browser" (but not Firefox), and support for Outlook 98 and 2000 (but not 2003 or 2007). I'm assuming this is a version of the guide from many years ago. Is there a more up to date guide?
Did the upgrade yesterday. Zonealarm virus scan: complaining about HEUR:trojan-downloader Win32.Generic in the verizon call assistant.exe in the Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\ folder. ZA has it under control but I thought I'd better post a "heads up". I've also e-mailed support.
Hello, D-I-Ytelecommgr- thank you for the heads up!
I assure you that you did not obtain that trojan by updating Verizon Call Assistant. While something of that nature is not impossible, it is improbable. That, in addition to the fact that there yet to be any other documented cases of this happening to anyone because they updated Call Assistant, leads me to believe that the malware was acquired otherwise.
While doing some research on this particular malware, it has become evident that it can be obtained very easily by simply visiting compromised websites.
In any event, if you Google "HEUR:trojan-downloader Win32.Generic" you will find multiple recommendations for removing the malware. Again, I'm sorry to hear that you were infected.
Regards,
Chris
For some unknown reason the Call Assistant opens when Windows XP is opened. Unchecked (Launch at initial CA installation) and since then have it unchecked. Have deleted/modified/changed all registry starup keys, (Run, RunOnce, etc). After deleting the "run policy' key get a CA pop up advising CA will no longer launch at startup, but with a day the CA will again launch itself. Have checked and removed from MSConfig, startup menu with no sucess. Can anyone offer any other suggestions?
Here's a second report. I've got the same report from a ZoneAlarm virus scan last night. In the past years I've seen several , what I hope are false, virus/Trojan/mal-ware reports from various VZ provided software packages.
Hi,
I have been using the latest Call Assistant since it was intoduced.. but am finding the way taht it pops up very annoying and wanted to change the way that it works.
Windows has scroll bars on the right side of a window.. and when I try to scroll down longer pages tahn will fit on the screen, up pops VCA!
When I try to enter 'Settings' from the top line drop down, nothing happens. Nothing happens when clicking on 'Web Portal', 'Profile', 'Settings', 'Feedback' and 'Help'. Add widgets works as does 'Theme Settings' and 'About'.
I assume that VCA should integrate with my browser - Firefox 3.5.6..
Can anyone help?
thanks in anticipation
Allan
Call assistant works fine when signed into my account but the I need to download another version for the pop-up. I cannot find it anywhere and Call Assistant won't recognize my userid and passord yet it works to sign into My Account.
Anyone have asuggestion.
This is a Bug report, not an installation problem. Please do not merge with the likely ignored "sticky" threads.
Factual section first...Editorial follows
The latest version (2.7.79), which was a forced upgrade, fixed a couple of things I will note. But, after a couple of days of trying to use it, I see a major bug which makes it essentially unusable.
Factual
The good...
1. Your password, not just User ID, is remembered from session to session. I just wish it would offer an auto log-in option.
2. The prior version, at least under my Win-7 64 bit, would just ignore certain menu selections such as "settings", "Profile", "Help", etc... even when run in 32 bit XP mode. This appears to be fixed.
The bad...
1. When I upgraded and the program opened, I got a "sign in failed" popup window. I double, triple, quadruple checked my entries....Same result
Note, when you get that error, the program does not return you to the sign on screen to retry. You actually have to exit the software and restart to get back to the logon screen. Although, it seems to be trying to log on in the background but there is no visual indication of that.
I then rebooted thinking that maybe the program needed it to function. No go at first....Then after about the fifth try, it actually connected....and stayed connected for maybe 30 minutes. Then back to the same "sign in failed" popup error.
I got home from work this evening and there were 60 plus (I stopped counting) stacked popup error windows on my screen. As I type this, I have three new ones.
The status at the bottom of the interface says "Online" with my phone number. Calling from my cell phone, it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. My attempt just now did work..AND popped up another "sign in failed" message!
Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that this is an individual problem, let me say that I googled "Verizon Call Assistant 2.7.79" and found multiple reports of the exact same issues. Further, I am "semi-pro" at computers/internet/networking stuff beginning from running a dial up BBS on a TRS-80 Model 1, WAY back when! I know what I am doing and this is a software bug/problem, not a user or installation issue.
To summarize the factual section, VCA continues to be a bug filled program even after going through multiple, and infrequent, revisions. I have no view of the development and testing process verizon uses. But it appears to fail any professional or commercial standard a reasonable person would measure it by.
Editorial Section
I was a former IOBI user. It generally worked and had more features than VCA. But it was never upgraded. The only change was the slowly disappearing "Coming Soon" feature set constantly promised on the website. I finally invested a few hours on the phone listening to people say "IOBI?? what's that??" and "Call Assistant who??" to eventually get connected to someone who not only knew the name of the products but could tell me that the product, IOBI, I was paying $7.95 a month for was no longer being developed. AND could also tell me that VCA was available...was the new big thing..and was "free"! Sign me up!
Saying that VCA has been a huge disappointment is an understatement. The idea is great, the technology and infrastructure is well established....but the execution is hobby level at best. I just can not believe a company as large and professional as Verizon produces this junior high school application. Releasing version after version of bug filled software is simply unacceptable! I realize I am getting my money's worth (free). But I would be willing to pay for something reliable and feature rich. There are no other options.
Lastly, speaking of features... I don't remember when I started with IOBI. But it was probably a good 4 or so years ago. Forgetting about all the "coming soon" features which never appeared (sound familiar VCA users?), IOBI had a feature set which even back then was superior to VCA. A good example is when someone calls you. Under VCA, you can (sometimes) see the call popup..but that's it. Years ago, with IOBI, you could click to send to voicemail, send it to "sales call ignore", or other options. Also, with IOBI, you could schedule forwarding of calls to other numbers as well as manage "ignore" and "block" lists online. Please note...this was on the same Verizon phone network and was literally available and working YEARS ago!
I would appreciate an explanation and resolution for all of this. I don't understand what strategy, if any, Verizon is executing in this area. I do believe it is time for them to step up, get this technology working, and develop a real feature rich platform. If Verizon is unwilling to invest in this direction, they should open up the potential for a third party developer to step in and do it right.
I get the same signin error now. anyone know what's up?
Same results since upgrade . . . not an idea what's up, expect at this point Verizon doesn't either.
This correspondence at least lets me know that the problem is not my setup or computer. Three days ago, VCA worked. Two days ago, I was getting the "Sign-in failed" message multiple times, often a few seconds apart, except that VCA was working all the time. Yesterday and today, it does not sign in, but just sits there offline. Strangely, last evening late, it finally signed in all by itself, after waiting all day.
Another clue that the problem is with Verizon is that trying to access VCA over the web is goes from extremely slow to stopped. The server must be out to lunch.
I'm having the same problems as Jim-M.
When I tried to log onto VCA online I got the Beta page. Most of the links don't work but I got to download a new PC client software version (2.7.79). I installed it after uninstalling the "older" version only to find it still isn't working. It does remember my user name and password but when I try and sign on it just spins the colored fan thing and nothing happens.
This software is so buggy that it's hard to believe it's coming from a giant like Verizon.
Come on Verizon, get with it and hire some people that know what the hell there doing. I'm sure you can afford it. I'm paying hundreds to you every month so I'm sure it's not a matter of $$$.
Help us out here. I see very, very little help from Verizon here which is another dis-service to your customers....
GET US SOME HELP VERIZON!!! FAST!!! PLEASE......
I also get the log in errors after upgrading to the latest software. I have called the VCA hotline number, and there is a recording stating they are aware of the client side problems, and there may also be problems through the web site. However, there is no timeframe stated as to when anything will be fixed.
The problem seems to be with verizon,s SSO servers. Single signon. Depending on which links you use,
the SSO fails. ie. goto webmail.verizon.net and attempt to login and the SSO server goes nuts.
go to verizon.net web site and as long as you have not logged out, you can click on the EMail link you can get your emails.
any verizon site which uses SSO seems to be affected.
It's now taking nearly 5 minutes to log in to the online VCA page, if you can get in. Most of the time you get the page not found shown in the attachment
I see that the PC client isn't really installed, or if it is it doesn't appear in add/remove programs
After upgrading to version 2.7.79 of Call Assistant on my PC, the status remains "Offline" and I am no longer getting any information on incoming calls. I tried de-installing Call Assistant, rebooting my PC and installing 2.7.79 of Call Assistant on my PC, but it is still "Offline". I am able to see my calls on the Verizon Call Assistant web site, but none of the information is getting downloaded to my PC.
I'm quite certain any post for a company that says keep your posts appropriate sums it all up. Customer service is beyond horrible!!!!!!!!! Vonage...I must bow to you and am so sorry that I left you.
Just a friendly reminder, this is a forum where users help other users. For help with Verizon products or services, you should seek assistance via live chat or email at: http://www.verizon.com/contactus
Elizabeth,
Thank you for your suggestion. Unfortunately, no resolution to either the immediate or ongoing problems have been offered via that channel. As a Verizon employee and moderator on this board, what is your suggestion as to the next steps to take in resolving these long time problems?
Thanks, Jim
I apologize, but unfortunately we cannot answer that question. A forum moderator’s job is to maintain the forum itself, so we are typically unable to provide support information for products or services.
Regards,ElizabethS
Perhaps it's time to back out of Version 2.7.79 which was obviously nevber QA'd and go back to the previous version which did somewhat work.
I actually had 2.7.79 working up to the last few days and as of today it now appears to be totally dead again, or perhaps it's just the servers that are gone away?
In order to use/manage call assistant via Web Access do you need to install call assistant software on your PC.
@JustaGuy wrote: In order to use/manage call assistant via Web Access do you need to install call assistant software on your PC.
No.
__________________________________JustinVerizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phoneQIP7232, IMG 1.8, Build 02.54Keller, TX 76248
Thank you. I'm using Win7 64bit and from reading these posts, instaling it on my PC doesn't seem to be a good idea.
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