Lost POP and SMTP connection

I'm losing my connection to the pop and smtp servers. My email works fine while I'm using it, but if I leave the computer unattended for a few hours, no activity, my email client can't connect to the pop or smtp server anymore. This happens whether I leave my email running or not. I use Becky Mail. Eudora has the same problem and so does The Bat. So it's a network problem.

I am connected (Cox Cable) to a cable modem and have a Linksys router with a total of two computers attached. I'm using gateway mode. This setup has been working for two plus years. I am not aware of making any changes to the network or client software.

I have scanned for virii and trojans: Norton, SpyBot, Pest Patrol, etc... Nothing.

I don't know where to even begin looking. Is it possibly some new policy of my ISP? Is there a registry setting that might cause this?

Any ideas will help.

Thanks.

WindowsXP Professional all updated.
512 RAM
Compaq 1gig Athlon

 

PS - A reboot gets the connection back. The second computer works all the time.

 

Is this a laptop or desktop?

What are your power schemes settings under power options properties?

How often does your mail client poll the mail server to see if there is mail?

 

- Can you ping the pop and/or smtp servers while you have the problem?

- does renewing your network settings fix the problem?

 

My power settings are all NEVER.

I can't release and renew because my IP is permanently configured for 192.168.1.100 because of the router.

Thanks for replying.

 

PS again.

Yes, I can ping, and all my other Internet type programs work perfectly, including news readers.

 

Still haven't figured out why, but discovered that it only happens when I've run NewsBin Pro.

 

Wasn't familiar with the app. Don't do newsgroups so never had a need. But from what little info I could gather, it evidently does a number of interesting things and one of them could certainly be causing problems.

Have you tried running this problem past their tech support?

 

Are you using Norton 2002 or 2003 by chance?

If you are remove it and reinstall.

 

Nope, haven't run it by Newsbin's tech support. Not 100% sure that's the problem now. I ran NewsBin a couple of times and my mail stayed up. Three days ago it killed the connection every time. My mail might have fixed itself.

Running Norton2003 Pro. Will give it a try just for the heck of it.

Thank you both.

 

Will never know what caused it. I restored an old registry file and all is well.

Thanks for the help, everyone.