Internet keeps disconnecting... Is it XP? Or my Computer? Or my ISP?

Just as the title says, I'm having a problem with my computer (seems like everyday). I have DSL. I leave it on most of the time and most of the time I don't have a problem. However, sometimes when I'm not using the internet that much, it will disconnect on its own.

I've checked the setting to make sure that when idle it never hangs up. That is set correctly. I have an Linksys card to plug into my DSL modem as well as a built in LAN plug in the mobo. Both of these plugs produce the same results.

If I'm surfing, or chatting, it usually won't disconnect, but if I'm doing something that is less internet active (ex: Flying flight sim that checks weather every 15mins on the net) it will disconnect sometimes. I called my ISP and they said that they will disconnect me if I've been online for 24 hours, but this will happen sometimes every 10 minutes. But there's no real pattern.

The last thing that is strange is that most of the time it will reconnect and keep working like normal. But sometimes it will reconnect, show the connection symbol in the tray and even show slight activity, but I can't download or do anything until I restart the computer.

Before I call my ISP breathing fire, I would like to be sure this isn't a mean practical joke that Microsoft is playing on me.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks everyone.

 

It is probably your ISP, you did not state which ISP you are using. AOL is notorious for this. Try using an anti timer, I know there are anti timers for aol but I do not know what you are using but at least this is a starting point. Do a basic search under google for anti timer. good luck.

 

I am using Arcor which is a DSL/telecomunication company here in Germany.

Can you give me a little explaination of what an anti-timer is?

Thanks for your response.

 

To gn85:
Hi, I use AOL and it uses a Timer that queries your connection every X minutes to check if you have moved your mouse pointer or clicked on the windows. After a X minutes of inactivity, AOL assumes that you are not at your computer and automatically disconnects you (I don't know about other ISP nor DLS or Cable connections but I guess that every one of these ISP uses the same method to save on resources).
An anti timer counters this by clicking "yes" (figuratively speaking)
when AOL (or other) comes to check your connection (like asking
"are you there?" and when the anti-timer answer "yes" AOL does not disconnect you.
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