Computer help please!

[swea_pea1]

I have tried and tried and can't figure out this problem. Periodically, when I remain idle for small amounts of time (like 2 or 3 minutes), my computer no longer acknowleges an ISP connection. It shows me connected, but it's just like my ISP isn't talking to my computer. I've asked my ISP, and they tried to fix it, but it's still happening. I have Earthlink and nobody else I knows who uses Earthlink has this problem. I've changed my dial-up number and I've adjusted the time my computer can stay idle on my control panel. Does anybody have any ideas what this may be?

Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Pebblszzz]

I have Earthlink, too, and used to have that problem.

I never DID figure out what it was, but once I changed to a newer/faster/better/wizbang computer, it stopped happening.

My best professional guess is that it was my lack of RAM. Too much stuff processing at once, and the dialup was the first to lock up.

Now I have a 1.8Ghz processor and 256MB RAM, and the problem's gone.

Good luck!

 

[KathyTX]

swea_pea1,

What's your operating system? Is it Windows XP?

 

[swea_pea1]

I am using Windows XP. The strange thing is, this never happened when I had my old computer (working off of a whopping 6 RAM and Windows 95) but it started happening when I got my new computer. We have 56 RAM now.

 

[Pebblszzz]

Only because I just know those hardware troubleshooting wiz's are gonna pop in here eventually to help you out....here's a new one I keep suffering through:

"Runtime Error - do you wish to debug?"

Gimme a break! I say "yes" and I'm off to never-never land where there's no option to FIX anything!

XP is cool in many ways, but Windows still has lots of things that make Mac users never want to convert! They can't handle the "illegal operation" and "Runtime" errors!

 

[MyDisneySig]

What kind of modem are you using? Microsoft says that US Robotics 56k Win Modem is not compatible with XP!

(Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 321633)

 

[Pebblszzz]

For the record, that's my setup.

US Robotics 56k external fax/modem with XP.

Works fine here.

Now...brainstorm coming...I think I've got it!!!!

Sweet Pea:

Go to the US Robotics website (if that's the modem you're using) and get an updated driver! Or whatever mfr. you have, go to their website and update your modem driver!

Why do I think this is the solution? Because with my old computer, I had the same problem. Then when I got the new one, I wanted all new/updated drivers for my hardware, so I downloaded them all - and wah-lah! No more problemos!!!

 

[swea_pea1]

Thanks for the input! I have a Lucent modem, so I went to Lucent's site. The information there is that they spun off the driver business to Agere. So, I went to Agere site, and tried to download the most recent driver. I got a message that it wasn't compatible with my computer, and continuing would really screw things up (it was in techno-talk, but that was the basic gyst). I then went to Microsoft's site and it ends up that there are 17 updates out there for my computer (I just bought this dang thing 6 months ago....GEESH!) and two of them are driver updates. Sooooooooo, I'm trying that. Never would have thought of it though without your help! Thanks again!!!!!

 

[Pebblszzz]

Duh, I didn't even think to tell you to go update Windows.

I have my PC set up to do it automatically, so I forget there's people out there who need to manually go and do it.

Once you've done it, select the option to "automatically download" the updates - and it will prompt you to install them once they've downloaded. Then you won't have to remind yourself to do it.

Helps keep you up-to-date and protected, etc.

Don't forget to do the updates for Microsoft Office products, too.

Just make sure you read the descriptions for anything that doesn't come down automatically, because those aren't considered "critical updates" - some you'll never need.