[Ham-Computers] Connection Problems

[Carole]

I'm having connection problems, and need some advice.  This has happened twice in the last couple of months.  My computer is working fine, no problems at all, then I leave it running and go do something else for a couple hours, and when I come back the computer has disconnected from the internet and will not re-connect.  I'm using a DSL connection, Zyxel modem.  (I'm writing from a neighbor's computer, so will have to try to remember details...)  My ISP is Earthlink, and what I would like to try to determine is whether this is a problem with Earthlink, or if something on my computer might be causing the problems.

My computer is a Compaq, bought it in 2003.  The OS is Windows XP Home.  I am running Zone Alarm, which is a possible suspect.  Last time, after many calls to Earthlink and finally a visit from a DSL specialist, we finally re-established a connection.  I continued to have some problems with disconnects, and found that if I disabled Zone Alarm the disconnects stopped.  I deleted all the programs in Zone Alarm, and then started documenting everything I did with it as programs started coming back up.  The problem is, everything was working fine for several weeks, and then last night the computer disconnected again, after working fine all day.  I hadn't changed any settings, or blocked anything new.

I am running the Webshots screensaver.  Is it possible that could be causing the problem?  It's worked fine for years, but I can get rid of it if that's the problem.  

I'm seriously considering changing my ISP, but before I do that I'd like to figure out if the problem lies with them or with my computer.  Obviously, if my computer is causing the problem, then changing ISPs probably wouldn't help.  Is there anything I can do that would help me figure this out?  Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!  If you need further information about my system, let me know what you need and I'll post it as soon as I can.  Thanks!

Carole