I know what you're talking about. In Florida last winter, my wife went to the local hospital in Crystal River because of a bad cough. She spoke to a nurse for 15 minutes who made a wrong diagnosis and it cost around $1,000. About 10 years ago I broke my leg after slipping on some black ice while walking my dog in Charleston Lake Provincial Park. I ended up being taken 30 miles by ambulance to Kingston General Hospital, having two operations, a physiotherapist coming to my home every week for two months, periodic follow-ups with two different doctors and my out of pocket cost was $15 for part of the cost for the ambulance. Three years ago I had an appendectomy where they found cancer, then had a hemi-collectomy where they removed a third of my large colon, followed by 10 chemo treatments followed by quarterly tests and appointments with three specialists and annual CT scans and so far my out of pocket cost has been ZERO. Being over 65, now 68, all of my prescriptions are free except for an annual fee of $100. Fortunately I live on a lake in cottage country close to Kingston so the service is better than if I lived in a large city like Toronto where I'd wait forever for anything.

Had the same problem with mine last week... it got clogged on Monday, and no amount of plunging would clear it. (Previously when it got clogged, vigorous plunging would fix it.) My super came with a snake and fixed it. Then it got clogged again on Friday! Twice in one week!!! Again, the plunger did nothing. I went to the hardware store and told them I wanted to buy a toilet auger (snake). They looked at me skeptically, but sold me a cheap auger ($10) and showed me how to use it. Not so difficult. Girls can use augers. Really. :-) I am disappointed in this toilet. I bought it because Toto in general, and the Ultramax in particular, had such a good reputation with regard to not clogging. I thought I'd be able to put my plunger in the back of the closet and not have to deal with it again. Well, I guess that's true. The plunger can go to the back of the closet while the auger sits in the front. :-( My guess, btw, about why the plunger doesn't always work - the opening in the toilet bowl is oval shaped while the plunger is round. I don't think the plunger is getting a good seal over the hole, so when I plunge, the water is rushing out above and below the plunger rather than being forced into the pipe. The vigorous plunging provides a good workout for me, but doesn't do a lot for the plumbing. I wonder if they make a better-shaped plunger...

John, You are 100% right, the Box is just a mini Computers and are subject to everything a normal computer is (Lockups, freezes, resetting etc...). Sometimes you do need to replace the box ifthe same problem persists. This will happen on my box whether I have anything on the DVR or not. It is very temperamental and will something do it's own thing. There are times none of the Buttons work (on the remote or on the box itself). I usually have to unplug the box and let it set for a while (resetting it). My real problem is with all the Trips I've made to Comcast exchanging equipment. I recently replaced 2 Cable Adapter Boxes and my Modem/Router. The Modem/Router was the 6th in a year. Once I was home and all hooked up one of the Cable Adapter Boxes didn't work correctly and neither did the Modem/Router. I ended up having Comcast come out this time and they found nothing wrong! I packed up the Modem/Router and took them back again to Comcast. They Replaced the Cable Adapter Box with the same model. The Modem/Router, well I requested a Modem this time with no Router. I decided to use my old Linksys Router. I now have everything working except for the Cable Box in the front room (it had a bunch of stuff on the DVR my daughter recorded). I couldn't return the box for fear of being killed by my daughter (would have lost all her recordings)(maybe next time).

Thank you all. I did try, as Randy suggested, readjusting the collar, but never could make the flapper fall consistently. I guess the chain lifting it shifted it slightly with every use until it was cockeyed. I didn't put the silicone grease on it (forgot to buy it) but I think I should have some around anyway so I'll get some. What I ultimately did, and what seems to be working for the moment at least, was to buy a Flushmaster kit, yank out the the old chrome one that was in there, and follow the instructions: clean, clean, clean, dry, orient unit, press firmly, hook up chain. The old one was in the toilet 40 years ago when we moved in here, and if this one survives half that long it'll outlast me! The kit doesn't depend on the collar on the overflow tube but has the "ears". It's an integral unit so the fit should be good. I'm a little wary of plastic, but when it's good it's good, it cost $7.22 @ Big Box Store, and if it saves us wrestling that valve out of there I won't complain! I really appreciate the help and suggestions- you guys are great.