I have trouble with my DSL connection to the Internet, or I have some configuration problems to handle. I have a DELL Dimension XPS T800r with 128m ram, operating Windows 98 2nd Ed. The interface card is a 3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC (3C9048-TX) and the DSL modem is a SpeedStream DSL Ethernet Modem (model 5260 LAN). The connection is through Ameritec to Mindspring DSL (Earthlink). I can generally connect with no problem. After some activity and several transactions, nothing happens. Sometimes, there is a pause of several seconds and then it continues. Sometimes it does nothing. There appears to be no activity.. the LEDs on the modem are continuously lit, no flickering. Sometimes, I found that if I go into Outlook Express and hit "send/receive" it will immediatley activate, and sometimes, there will be a short wait. Sometimes, nothing although generally it eventually activates. How much this has to do with hitting "send/receieve" is unknown to me. Frequently, I get a message box telling me that I am working offline and provides a button to click to reconnect which it usually does once clicked. In the meantime, system resources seem to be dropping down into the 50% region. I start closing down some things but that doesn't seem to help that much. The TCP Receive Window is set at "64240." MIndspring DSL tech support says (once I can get a response.. have to phone they ignore email) its the lack of system resources. Others tell me something else so but no one seems to be able to tell me how to correct the situation. As it is, I have a DSL connection that I is fine until it does a lock up... well it is always a series of these freeze ups. The result is that there are moments of great service seemingly equal moments of inactivity effectively nullifying the advantages of have a DSL connection. How can I find out what to do?

Man ive had the same problems with my DSL and they tell me that its my telephone lines. I think its the service interupted by rain...etc. Whats odd is that i can pick up my phone and dial numbers and it will work. Hope this helps Mike