I have three computers on one home network that share connection to the internet via a router and cable modem. All use XP Pro. After building the newest computer myself, I transplanted the HD from an older computer with the OS already installed instead of doing a clean install of the OS. I KNOW this is a no-no but I was lazy and didn't want to have to re-install all of my programs and re-do all of my settings. I'm surprised it worked as well as it did. I have NO problems with running programs or web browsing or connecting to the internet. However, when I leave the newest computer on and try to access the internet after a period of inactivity, 45-60 min maybe, I find that I've lost my internet connection. Everything local on the machine works just fine but I have no internet connection. After I reboot, I am able to access the internet again with no problem. If I keep active browsing or chatting on the internet, I do NOT get disconnected at all! I can stay online for hours with no problem. The exception seems to be when I am listening to streaming audio. Once I close the connection with the audio server, I lose my internet connection. These are NOT the case with the other two computers. The one computer is on 24/7 and I can leave it for days without ever losing the internet connection. The browser will open right up and go to any site with ease. All 3 computers use XP Pro and Zone Alarm. I don't see any difference in the ZA settings. I'm thinking this is just a simple fix but I'm clueless as to what it is. I've lived with it for quite a while but it's becoming a pain. Is there a way to "refresh" my internet or network setting so I don't have to reboot everytime I'm away from my computer for awhile? I know it SHOULD stay connected but I'm willing to deal with the disconnect problem if I can somehow refresh the connection instead of rebooting.

ok...to make life easier for you you can probaly log off and back on to restrt the internet...if not u can prob open up internet settings and hit repair. for the permanent fix...If all comps were losing internet it would be a setting in you router. But if only one pc has the problem I would thing it is a power managment kind of thing. Sutting off your network card to save power. I thought this was only availible on laptops but it might be availible on some types of destop cards. First open the prperdies of the card and click "show icon in notification area while conected" for disnostic purpouses. I think your only fix is to look for a power managment setting on your comp. If no fix is avalible open your case and locate your card. (I hope its not integrated.) Remove any wires going from the pci card to the motherboard. (norm yellow)This should disable any advanced funtions. If this still does not keep your internet live try replacing the card...norm you can get a new card for 0-30 bucks. I hope this helps you1 If it does not work...fell free to e-mail me at theboat3058@yahoo.com to see if i have any more ideas...tell me how it wrks out. -cody HAve u ever duct taped a cmos battery in your computer?...it works untill the duct tape melts but electrical tape is not sticky enough...Itried supper glue and that seems to work the best when the clip is broken.

o yea...what type of network card do u have? HAve u ever duct taped a cmos battery in your computer?...it works

Thank you for you response. I checked the properties of my network card in device mgr and sure enough, there was a power management tab! I unchecked the box that allowed the computer to shut off the device to save power and I think that solved the problem. I had a feeling this was going to be an easy fix. Thank you very much for your help!! Just as an FYI, my motherboard is an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe and the network card IS integrated. It is listed as an Intel PRO/1000 CT. I have an old PCI network card from another computer that I could use but this one seems to connect just fine. Is there a benefit to a stand alone card as opposed to the integrated one, (other than replace ability)?

Oops! Stop the presses!!! Once again I had to reboot to regain my internet connection. I tried just logging out of windows and logging back in but that didn't work. I still had to reboot. :( I noticed under the "Advanced" tab in the "property" list that there are two properties at the bottom called, "Wake On Link Settings" and "Wake On Settings". The former has a value of "disabled" and the latter has a value of "OS Controlled". I am going to try to change the "disabled" value to either "Forced" or "OS Controlled" and see if that makes a difference. It's difficult to determine because I am active on this computer most of the day and it will take about an hour of inactivity to disable my connection. Are you familiar with these settings at all? There is no help feature in this menu.

i have the same prob withmy dlink router DI-614+ Version b(1 antenna). i have to restart my router(unplug power suply and put it again) to working. again. Its amazing because my comp still have signal and good sognal from my router. Help me please thx.

I have the same problem too after I built a machine from scratch. I tried using 2 diff NICs (integrated and 905C-TX), same issue. I turned off sleep mode of NICs, same issue. I am using XP SP2 through a Belkin router and Time Warner cable. Barring any better ideas I am going to try the following (don't know if they'll work): - Check power settings in Windows and BIOS - Check network-related registry settings - Update router's firmware Failing this, I'll probably try the following: - Reset router and rebuild my security settings in it (MAC limitations and WEP) - Connect NIC directly to cable modem, see if it still happens - Test with known good cables (I know, I should try this first :) - Call Time Warner and see if they are doing some crazy timeout crap now or something Any better ideas??