[dustman]

Hello,

I am having a problem with getting on to the internet after my computer has been on a while.

I have a Dell Dimension 3000, pentium 4, HT, Windows XP Home (legitimate), 160G hard drive, Comcast cable modem, ZoneAlarm Security Suite.

I do fine when I start my computer up, and as long as I am working, everything is fine, but if I leave the computer running afterwards for any length of time, it loses its ability to go online, and I get "Cannot Find Server", and "Page Cannot Be Displayed" notices, after timing out trying to reach sites. I can only work offline.

I have to turn the computer off, and then back on and everything is fine again, until I leave it running without working it for a while, maybe and hour or so. Has anyone run into this problem? Any ideas on how to fix? I suspect ZoneAlarm, but I don't know that for sure.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dustman

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Probably a setting in Zone Alarm or Internet in Control Panel or in your Comcast software.

Have you tried logging off and on instead of rebooting?

[cmpm]

Probably a setting in Zone Alarm or Internet in Control Panel or in your Comcast software.

Have you tried logging off and on instead of rebooting?

[dustman]

Thanks for the response, cmpm!

I don't know which setting it would be, also, what setting would take effect gradually? Ok to start, Ok to work, then gradually loses ability to connect to the net. Weird.

Dustman

[cmpm]

It would be something like
'disconnect after x number of minutes'.
Probably in your comcast software, if you have it.

I have roadrunner and don't need the software it provides, so possibly you could uncheck comcast in msconfig and see if it still acts the same way.

Start-Run-type msconfig in the box.

You could also uncheck Zone Alarm or other programs to isolate the program that is disconnecting you.
If it's a software issue that is.

Could be hardware though.
How old is your ethernet card and modem?
Sometimes you need a new one of those.
But the cable company will argue with you from what I've seen.
So be prepared to say I tried everything else.
And skip the first level and get to a real tech support person.

Do you also have a broadband router?

Last thing and maybe should have been the first.
Unplug the power on your modem and router for about 3 minutes and replug the power.
This refreshes the modem and router.

[cmpm]

O yeah, in msconfig there will be a start tab and a services tab.
When unchecking startup programs, also uncheck the services you recognize as part of the program.
Don't mess with the other tabs. More knowledge is needed for those.

Edited by cmpm, 18 August 2007 - 04:04 PM.

[computerspecialist101]

heres a thought.

Do you have a screensaver turned on? do you also have hibernation or stanby turned on? try turning all three off as that could and most likely is the problem.