[Ham-Computers] Connection Problems

[Dan Violette]

I cannot help you with the software issues.  I don't think it could be
Earthlink though.  It would be the DSL connection getting dropped.  Usually
a power cycle of the modem and a reboot of the PC would get things going
again.  It could be one of the software items turning off the connection,
but should be easy to get on again until you find the culprit.  Another ISP
via DSL would most likely do the same.  If you do decide DSL is not for you,
Earthlink is available through most means so you would not have to change
e-mails and such.  By the way, cable modems do the same thing.  But my PC
seems to disconnect and a reboot is needed once in a while (usually after
everything has been put to sleep, but not always, only rarely).  I have even
had the network card in the PC lose connection where I need to power the PC
all the way off (no A/C to the PC, not just shut-down) to get it to work
again.

Dan KI6X 

-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Carole
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 11:23 AM
To: Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications, or
experimenting
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Connection Problems

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
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