This is what's happening: When I boot my machine and click on either a game icon on the desktop or go to the program lists in start to open a pc game I receive the connect to internet (I am using a modem). This seems to only happen on games that have a intro (movie) on them. I always disable my firewall and antivirus before running games so that they may not lockup, etc. I have also tried: running these games without disabling the firewall and antivirus; and also... linking into the internet once I receive the "connect to" and then try playing the games. Still get the same thing, it locks up and then I have to hit ctrl, alt, delete to get me back to my desktop. I have even went into msconfig to see if there is anything unusual running on startup. Nothing unusual, but could this be comming from my firewall and antivirus programs? I am using norton 2003 products and do a routine cleanup at the end of the day as far as spyware and clearing internet sites viewed with mru-blaster. This only happens when I start my computer and want to play games before going into the internet. If I am on the internet for a hour or so and then get off to play games... they work. This is very unusual!

Perhaps those games may be attempting to connect to the internet for some reason. Try: Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options > "Connections" tab > select "Never Dial a Connection"

Also try running Ad-Aware, to look for spyware. Have a nice day.