I have AOL 8.0- dial-up. We have been having a problem for the past few weeks; after being signed on for 15 to 30 minutes, we are frequently being dis-connected. The AOL screen shows: 'The Connection Was Lost; TCP/IP virtual circuit was cancelled due to a timeout. Please check your settings and try again; If the problem persists, please re-start your machine and try again.' I can tell when its going to dis-connect because things just hang- the little hour-glass is working, but no new window opens. A minute or so later I get the dis-connect. I did a Restore back to Jan. 1st and the problem persists. I contacted AOL on-line Help and was walked through a step in effort to correct the problem. The tech person also provided 3 other steps to try. I've tried the 4 steps and the problem with being suddenly disconnected persists. I inquired about the TCP/IP virtual circuit and the AOL tech person said the virtual circuit is part of the Windows OS and not AOL software. After several days with the problem still present, I contacted Microsoft On-line tech person. After a number of questions regarding adding or changing software he had me to a Run (cmd) to Command Prompt and then to a 'netsh winsock reset'. This occured on 6-6-05; I've received the same disconnect 3 times today. I Googled the TCP/IP virtual circuit and find there is an entire website devoted to it. There is some wording on a repair of the TCP/IP, but also a strong caution that this should be a Last Resort. In contacting the Microsoft On-line Help and asking about the TCP/IP and virtual circuit, I was told that ' a virtual circuit is a connection between 2 devices that acts as though it is a direct connection even though it may physically be circuitous'. I don't understand the TCP/IP Repair website information and I don't understand what part of my system is effected by this virtual circuit. Our computer is less than 3 yrs old and the only problem we've ever had was a noisy PSU fan. That was replaced. I replaced the modem -only because it was suggested that it could be the problem. We've always had AVG, Zone Alarm. and Lavasoft Ad-Aware and have never had any bugs of any kind. I did a Restore Point of Jan. 1st for no real reason. We did have 6 teen-agers here during the Spring Break in March; they all had use of the computer. I'm really not sure if this dis-connect problem started before or after that time. Just for info: We generally have 37 processes runing and the CPU usage varies from 2 to 7%. We have two sites relating to Task Manager Processes and I've gone through all those listed and all seem legit; Is there someone with some information, knowledge or experience with this type of TCP/IP virtual circuit dis-connect problem and some solution? Thanks

Not a big fan of AOL but, try disabling the Zone Alarm Firewall (or removing it altogether as getting hacked on dialup is not real likely) though i know, you can get a bot.

>> or removing it altogether as getting hacked on dial-up is not real likely << Don't you believe it. When a scanner detects a vulnerable computer it neither knows nor cares if it is on dial up or broadband, it just jumps in and does its thing which can take seconds. Stuart

You might want to try the exercise shown in the following MS article although it applies to versions of IE that are earlier then version 6. You did not mention which version of IE that you have. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q176997/ It's worth a shot. HTH Bryan

Thanks Bryan; we have IE6. And the possible fix you suggested was provided by the AOL tech support. They provided me with the following: Subj: AOL LIVE HELP ( TCP/IP virtual circuit was cancelled due to a time out) Date: 5/12/2005 3:25:44 PM US Mountain Standard Time From: AOLTechAPG To: Chippewa20 Dear Michael , Hi! My name is Alaine from AOL Live Help. As promised, below are the steps you need to try to help resolve your problem on "TCP/IP virtual circuit was cancelled due to a time out ". Here is a listing of all the things you can do to correct this problem. After each step try to sign on to the America Online service, and see if you encounter the same problem again. All of the solutions may not be necessary to try. If one solves it, then stop there. And just keep this list handy in case you need to correct the problem again. A. ADJUSTING Explorer Settings on AOL. Click START, then select RUN. Type IEXPLORE in the box, then click OK. That will start Internet Explorer, which will automatically attempt to display the default home page. On the Internet Explorer menu bar, click TOOLS, then click INTERNET OPTIONS. Click the CONNECTIONS tab. Click NEVER DIAL A CONNECTION, In that window, select AOL, then click REMOVE. then click APPLY or OK. Once completed, click OK, then restart your computer. B. DELETE ALL LOCATIONS AND REDETECT Completely deleting locations not only removes bad access numbers, but also location dialing options and incorrect modem or TCP/IP settings. The auto-detect feature then selects the right connection device and guides you through selecting proper phone number and dialing options as necessary. This process is a lot faster than checking to make sure everything is set up correctly. 1. Launch AOL as you normally would but do not sign on, then click SETUP. 2. Click EXPERT SETUP. 3. Select a Location, then click DELETE. 4. Click YES. Continue deleting locations until the location list is blank. 5. Click the DEVICES tab. 6. Select a Device, then click DELETE. 7. Click YES twice. Continue deleting devices until the device list is blank. 8. On the menu bar, click FILE, then click EXIT. 9. Launch America Online. 10. Click NEXT. 11. Select your Connection Device, then click NEXT. NOTE: If selecting TCP/IP: LAN or ISP (Internet Service Provider), DSL: Digital Subscriber Line, or Cable Modem, a box confirming your choice of connection will appear, click NEXT, then AOL will automatically try to sign on. 12. Type your Area Code, then click NEXT. 13. Check the box next to each Access Number you would like to use, then click NEXT. If you are prompted to set your Dialing Options, check the box to any that apply, then click NEXT to complete this step. 14. Check the box next to the appropriate Dialing Options, check the box next to 'Automatically reconnect me and ignore interruptions when using this location,' then click NEXT. NOTE: What constitutes a local call can vary widely by calling plan and phone company. For your protection, please check with your local phone company to ensure the AOL Access phone number you selected is a local call for your calling plan. C. WEBUTIL Please go to Keyword: WEBUTIL then click on DOWNLOAD NOW or click on the link below Connection Issues D. UNINSTALL THE AOL ADAPTER The AOL adapter transmits information from the Internet to our service. When this adapter is broken, data can't get through so you will not be able to get to Websites. When the software opens, it checks to make sure necessary files are installed. If the AOL adapter is missing, it will install a new adapter. NOTE: Please make sure that AOL is closed before you follow the steps. 1. Click START, select ALL PROGRAMS or PROGRAMS, select AMERICA ONLINE, then click AOL SYSTEM INFORMATION. 2. Click the UTILITIES tab. 3. Click UNINSTALL AOL ADAPTER. 4. Click OK. 5. Click CLOSE. 6. Restart the computer and launch AOL again. The AOL Adapter will be rebuilt automatically. I hope that my assistance will be of great help to your concern. I really wish to help you solve this one as soon as possible. If the problem persist, please feel free to reply to this e-mail and I will be glad to offer my assistance. Your continued support is highly appreciated. Alaine G. (AOLTechAPG) Customer Care Consultant The TechLive Department America Online, Inc.

Did any of it help resolve your problem? I have never used or been subjected to the use of AOL so I am unable to help any further. Bryan