My Computer Keeps Disconnecting
Maintaining connections to the Internet can be a duanting task. Today's modems negotiate a common speed for a reliable connection, but disconnects happen to everybody occasionally. Use this page if those disconnects become the rule rather than the exception.
In most cases, you should call your local ISP (Internet Service Provider), but if the problem is intermittent, you might find help here.
Here are some common solutions:
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In the vast majority of cases, bad phone lines are at fault. If your modem is connected to the wall through a number of devices (perhaps a line which runs to your fax machine, then to your answering machine, and then to your modem), try connecting it directly to the wall to see if that improves the situation. |
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You might try dialing into your ISP at another exchange. Switching software at each exchange differs which cause problems for some users. Be sure to check that number you are dialing is not a toll call! |
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Your telephone lines might be bad. Particularly in rural areas like Vermont and New Hampshire, bad phone lines can account for the majority of connection problems. 3Com/US Robotics has a number your modem can dial which will help you determine the quality of your lines. Click here to go to the page describing their line test procedures. |
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If you have call waiting, in most cases you can put *70 and a comma in front of the phone number in your dialing software to turn it off for the duration of that call. Check with your phone company if *70 does not work. |
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Perhaps your ISP automatically disconnects you after a period of inactivity. Composing email in most email programs is not considered activity since you are doing the writing on your computer. It only becomes activity between your computer and the ISP after you send it. |
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If you are using the PPP Control Panel on a Macintosh to connect, you can alter the duration of time before a disconnect. In the PPP Control Panel, click on the Options button and choose the Connection tab. Increase the time limit in the "Discconect if idle for" section. |
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Make sure the correct modem is chosen in your dialing software. |
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If these suggestions fail to resolve the problem or you are confused about how to make these changes, call your ISP. |
