Internet keeps auto-disconnecting?

[aelfheah]

Hi folks

I run Windows XP on my Compaq computer and my isp is Tiscali (2mb) and despite all I've heard, I'm usually happy with their service. The net's a bit slow but that's 2mb adsl for you.

Recently my connection keeps just cutting off every hour or so, not so I have to start the pc up again, but just annoyingly (and worryingly) enough so that it interrupts any msn chat or online downloading.

In turn I've separately run McAFee, AVG, Adaware and Spybot, but nothing seems to have solved it. I've checked the network connection settings ('always on') and run the 'My Computer' system checker(or whatever it's called). Do programs like Speeditup damage the computer?

Shall I simply create a new connection? Or is something more alarming at work?

Cheers in advance.

[redwudz]

I would check your phone line. Noise on the line will cause those type of disconnects.

[aelfheah]

Cheers redwudz

Do you mean a basic check or something more detailed involving tech equipt?

Just see if any loose wires etc, yeh?

[redwudz]

I would first check the connections that you can get to, out to the box on the side of the building. And you might ask any of your neighbors that have DSL and see if they are having issues. In general, the telephone companies don't care much about internet access, as long as the telephone service part works.

I'm sure the problem could be caused by other reasons, but line problems seem to be fairly common. If you can find a local telephone lineman wandering about, asking them directly will sometimes give good information about line conditions.

Other than that, contact your DSL supplier and they may be able to test the line from their end or help diagnose the problem.

[dnix71]

Every hour or so isn't bad. I have a Mac and Tiger's ethernet client isn't as user friendly as Panther was.

ATT bought out BellSouth and for a while I could get a stable DSL connection using DHCP without using a user name and password, but one night, I got booted off in the middle of loading any page I tried. I went back to PPPoE (with a user name and password) and that works for now.

The downside to PPPoE is I have to unplug my phone line or the modem until my laptop boots up and then plug the line in and click "Connect" before the green Internet light comes on. I unplug everything when I'm not on line. We get way too much lightning this time of year in south Florida and I don't want to come home to a toasted system.

[MJA]

or maybe the router, modem(rebooting) going bad ?