Hi,
I have been having issues with the DSL internet connection on my computer for some time now. I have 5 computers on my wireless network and this is the only one with this problem, and it's my new work computer! (Actually, this computer is hardwired, 3 of the others are wirelessly connected)
What happens is the internet connection drops out randomly every so often, usually when I'm NOT using it and let it go idle, but sometimes when I'm using it. If I go to look for the Internet connection icon, one of the following is always the case:
EITHER- the Internet connection disappears OR if you click on the status it says Not Available where it should tell you what speed you are connected at, OR the status is grayed out on the menu and when you try to click Enable, it says This device is busy.
This happens continually without a break. So far I've tried reconfiguring all my settings and running "netsh winsock reset" with no luck.

My system is using:
WIN XP Home, SP2
AMD Athlon 64X2 4200+ processor
NVIDIA nForce Networking controller
Router- Linksys WRT54G for the other computers that are wirelessly connected
DSL uses a Speedtouch modem and is provided by dejazzed.com

Thanks in advance for your help. I will check this forum again tomorrow evening when I return from work; sooner if I can.

Regards,
Suzi

Go to your ethernet NIC in Device Manager and right click on it. Choose Properties from the context menu, then the Power Management tab. Check that, there is an option in that panel to let the system turn off your ethernet NIC to save power. Uncheck that if it is checked, and see if that fixes the problem.

OK, thanks, I unchecked the box. I'll leave the computer on and see if the connection stays or goes. Funny thing is, right now I have a good connection, but if I right-click on the Internet connection icon, on the menu Status is grayed out and Enable is bolded, and if I click Enable it says it connects, but Status remains grayed out. But so far I do have a connection. It's very odd and makes no sense to me.
Thanks for your help so far. I'll let you know what happens.

Well I haven't lost a connection in several days now, so thankyou. )

I still can't see a connection status, but at least I have a connection so I can telecommute. Thank you very much.

~~Suzi~~

Now the connection will go away, and when I go to find the internet connection icon it is still there, so I clicked on enable but it keeps saying connection failed. But this computer is connected to the same modem and router and the connection is fine. At least it seems like my connection is lasting longer for now, but I am still stumped as to the problem.

Suzi

Which firewall do you use? I ask this because myself and a number of people have had a particular brand of firewall drop the connection for no known reason. I changed firewalls and it hasn't happened since.

_________________

Microsoft MVP Consumer Security 2006, 2007 & 2008

I have Panda Antivirus and Firewall. I was wondering if that could be the problem

~~Suzi~~

When I came home today, I had an internet connection icon, but the connection wasn't working and when I tried to enable it I got Connection Failed repeatedly. I tried to reboot and had no IC icon. I am now rebooting for the fourth time in the hopes that the icon will return.

Well, I got a connection briefly last night, but it was odd. I was able to see the status and everything, but it kept dropping out as I was browsing, then seemed to come back when I opened the Network Connection window to try to re-enable it. But I didn't need to click anything, just opening this up seemed to make it come back.
Now when I got home today, I had an icon but no connection again, and when I look at the status it says "Not Available" on the left hand side of the status area.
I am completely lost, confused and frustrated by what could be going on here.

Well, I think it has to be concluded that your NIC has failed. Fortunately, NICs are very inexpensive. Time to replace it. Hardware fails - that's a common problem. The best NICs these days are made by Intel.

Assuming your system has a PCI interface, here's an excellent one for $35 including shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106113

Here's a gigabite version for $39 including shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106123

Remember to turn your current on-board NIC in the bios when you install your new card.

OK, thanks, I'll tell the guy who does my computer work. He is coming by on Thursday to replace a fan for me and put a bigger video card in another PC. He will probably will have a replacement card that he can bring. Thanks again for all your help!

Regards,
Suzi