CRAZY internet disconects

I have an issue with my internet connection I hope someone can help me with.

I get randomly disconnected from the net and I am stumped as to what the problem could be.

I have win2k box with a usb adsl modem.

I can be surfing for 10 minutes or 10 hours, its totally random. When I get disconnected I don't get a disconnect message or anything like that, it basically just times out whatever Im doing. My connection still looks active in my systray, but I can't surf the net, check mail or anything. Checking my connection confirms that I have bytes going out, and none coming back in.

I usually disconnect manually, then try and reconnect, and this is where it bites me. I cannot connect for a few minutes, normally from 10-20, but it has been longer before. I hang up on the verifying uname and password stage. If I wait 20 mins and try again, alls well until my next discconect.

Now I have been trying to fix this myself so heres what I have done so far.

Contacted the telecomms company and had them check the line. No problems according to them there.

Updated all my drivers. USB, Mobo, Modem, etc etc

Updated all my security prods, Norton, Adaware, Spybot, Zone Alarm etc etc

Bought a new modem.

Bought a new HDD and did a quick 98-2nd ed barebones install

I am now tearing out my hair trying to figure out what to do next.
I have contacted the telecomms company again and they are coming out today to check the line.

I wonder if any of you that frequent this board have any suggestion for me.

TIA
TF

 

my bad

 

Hi t,

Have you tried swapping the leads/cables. Maybe intermittent noise/static from a bad connection.

Could try setting it up on another computer (on the same connection) ? If you can and then pinpoint your computer as the problem then it may go back to some basic hardware...RAM maybe (you've covered the OS and HDD).

You updated the chipset drivers?

Really stuck, look at doing a BIOS upgrade (Edit: If you do, do it carefully, I have had some strange problems resolved recently by upgrading the BIOS and they weren't mentioned in the upgrade information. I think the original BIOS's were not installed properly. I recommend a DOS type upgrade, I would not try an online one, especially with your suspect connection).

Hope someone can spot it for you.
Matt