comp keeps timing out.

Hello,

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Spent the last week trouble-shooting, including an absolute confirmation
from my Isp that the problem is not at their end.

In 'modem' via control-panel, there was/is a box that allows for a
nominated time before a computer disconnects if not being used, and as
long as I can remember it has always been greyed-out.
My Isp and I decided it might be a good idea to activate the box and
enter 300 minutes. (of which is the 5 hour block I get from my Isp)

Is there any other setting I may have missed? Is there any reason at all
why this has suddenly started doing this?

Thank you for replies.

S/C.

"square/circle" wrote in message
...

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Telephone line signal quality may be the basic problem.
Phone companies know digital data requires higher line
quality than analogue voice, but have _never_ professed
to be able to supply digital quality via voice line.

1. The lines that actually connect your house to the phone
co. central do not remain unchanged. For the convenience
of the network, the physical lines to your phone may be
switched to other lines several times in a year. This is a
likely cause of any sudden change in quality (up or down.)

2. Limited DP capacity of voice lines is one reason why
so many muncipalities now encourage wireless ISPs,
so that they can claim 100 per cent of the population can
get high-speed Internet (whether broadband cable is
available or not.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

"square/circle" wrote in message
...

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Telephone line signal quality may be the basic problem.
Phone companies know digital data requires higher line
quality than analogue voice, but have _never_ professed
to be able to supply digital quality via voice line.

1. The lines that actually connect your house to the phone
co. central do not remain unchanged. For the convenience
of the network, the physical lines to your phone may be
switched to other lines several times in a year. This is a
likely cause of any sudden change in quality (up or down.)

2. Limited DP capacity of voice lines is one reason why
so many muncipalities now encourage wireless ISPs,
so that they can claim 100 per cent of the population can
get high-speed Internet (whether broadband cable is
available or not.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

square/circle wrote:
Hello,

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Spent the last week trouble-shooting, including an absolute confirmation
from my Isp that the problem is not at their end.

In 'modem' via control-panel, there was/is a box that allows for a
nominated time before a computer disconnects if not being used, and as
long as I can remember it has always been greyed-out.
My Isp and I decided it might be a good idea to activate the box and
enter 300 minutes. (of which is the 5 hour block I get from my Isp)

Is there any other setting I may have missed? Is there any reason at all
why this has suddenly started doing this?

Thank you for replies.

S/C.

It would help if you provide more information if you wish group help.

1. What ISP/service are you using?

2. What other settings have you modified?

3. What is the update status, and is this a "officially" updated system?

4. What is the type of modem or connection being used?

I'll not address registry settings/modifications in this, I will
apprise of what was used to circumvent these activities. These are
mostly for phone-line examples, though also potentials for other styles.
The links at the bottom will provide some specific information to
better help you with the potential issues and forming questions you may
still have.

An explanation:
Every ISP which has time limits [which I have ever personally used] or
phone-line connections includes this in its installation and/or updates.
The reason is/was to purportedly help their users avoid using all of
their allotted time after, for instance, falling asleep at the keyboard,
or failing to disconnect for some other reason, or [on the ISP end] to
keep a sufficient available connection pool.
AOL [as example; NETZERO was similar] was one of the most active in
this area. Unless one moved the mouse, or changed a web page, or some
other like activity to reset the timer [depending upon how the service
had implemented this activity], you were disconnected.

Work-arounds were created that would either ping various websites, or
work directly on the timer itself. The one I used most regularly was
called [IIRC] Stay Alive by PCMAG, which pinged a list of web addresses
at intervals. Try "keep alive download" or "stay alive download" for
starting searches.

** Another potential issue which is involved is your *firewall*. It
*must* pass the proper activity between you and your ISP [generally ICMP
traffic] and/or provider. Blocking those activities will/or may cause
the time-out even when properly using the service [meaning you are
moving around the Internet] due to the failure of the ISP to reset its
own software [if this has been installed] clock/timer or other like
activities within your system.

When using AOL, I had/have to allow their specific activity [the IP
address range(s) involved] to pass through the firewall, while blocking
other addresses for proper protection [this activity can be used by
others to keep connections alive (such as websites you may have visited
and disconnected from) as well as to create connections (pinging for the
service, establishing returns, checking other services and expanding)].
NOTE: if you are networked and have a server you must (generally) also
allow these style of activities locally [local network IP range(s) such
as in SAMBA and other local network connections].

Additionally: IF, on the other hand, you have a broad-band modem and/or
modem/router, and/or secondary router, or wireless direct connect
[wireless netcard (like 3G)], you may have settings, within the device
and/or driver, which need tweaked to properly pass or provide keep-alive
connections.

http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/gen/se...NETWORKING.htm
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/gen/se...n_vpn_diag.htm
http://peoplescounsel.org/reg/gen/se...able_modem.htm

--
MEB
Windows Networking, Diagnostics, and other materials
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and government
http://peoplescounsel.org
-------

square/circle wrote:
Hello,

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Spent the last week trouble-shooting, including an absolute confirmation
from my Isp that the problem is not at their end.

In 'modem' via control-panel, there was/is a box that allows for a
nominated time before a computer disconnects if not being used, and as
long as I can remember it has always been greyed-out.
My Isp and I decided it might be a good idea to activate the box and
enter 300 minutes. (of which is the 5 hour block I get from my Isp)

Is there any other setting I may have missed? Is there any reason at all
why this has suddenly started doing this?

Thank you for replies.

S/C.

It would help if you provide more information if you wish group help.

1. What ISP/service are you using?

2. What other settings have you modified?

3. What is the update status, and is this a "officially" updated system?

4. What is the type of modem or connection being used?

I'll not address registry settings/modifications in this, I will
apprise of what was used to circumvent these activities. These are
mostly for phone-line examples, though also potentials for other styles.
The links at the bottom will provide some specific information to
better help you with the potential issues and forming questions you may
still have.

An explanation:
Every ISP which has time limits [which I have ever personally used] or
phone-line connections includes this in its installation and/or updates.
The reason is/was to purportedly help their users avoid using all of
their allotted time after, for instance, falling asleep at the keyboard,
or failing to disconnect for some other reason, or [on the ISP end] to
keep a sufficient available connection pool.
AOL [as example; NETZERO was similar] was one of the most active in
this area. Unless one moved the mouse, or changed a web page, or some
other like activity to reset the timer [depending upon how the service
had implemented this activity], you were disconnected.

Work-arounds were created that would either ping various websites, or
work directly on the timer itself. The one I used most regularly was
called [IIRC] Stay Alive by PCMAG, which pinged a list of web addresses
at intervals. Try "keep alive download" or "stay alive download" for
starting searches.

** Another potential issue which is involved is your *firewall*. It
*must* pass the proper activity between you and your ISP [generally ICMP
traffic] and/or provider. Blocking those activities will/or may cause
the time-out even when properly using the service [meaning you are
moving around the Internet] due to the failure of the ISP to reset its
own software [if this has been installed] clock/timer or other like
activities within your system.

When using AOL, I had/have to allow their specific activity [the IP
address range(s) involved] to pass through the firewall, while blocking
other addresses for proper protection [this activity can be used by
others to keep connections alive (such as websites you may have visited
and disconnected from) as well as to create connections (pinging for the
service, establishing returns, checking other services and expanding)].
NOTE: if you are networked and have a server you must (generally) also
allow these style of activities locally [local network IP range(s) such
as in SAMBA and other local network connections].

Additionally: IF, on the other hand, you have a broad-band modem and/or
modem/router, and/or secondary router, or wireless direct connect
[wireless netcard (like 3G)], you may have settings, within the device
and/or driver, which need tweaked to properly pass or provide keep-alive
connections.

http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/gen/se...NETWORKING.htm
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/gen/se...n_vpn_diag.htm
http://peoplescounsel.org/reg/gen/se...able_modem.htm

--
MEB
Windows Networking, Diagnostics, and other materials
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and government
http://peoplescounsel.org
-------

MEB wrote:

http://peoplescounsel.org/reg/gen/se...able_modem.htm


Oh darn, the link above *should be*:
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/gen/se...able_modem.htm
sorry about that...

--
MEB
Windows Networking, Diagnostics, and other materials
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and government
http://peoplescounsel.org
-------

MEB wrote:

http://peoplescounsel.org/reg/gen/se...able_modem.htm


Oh darn, the link above *should be*:
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/gen/se...able_modem.htm
sorry about that...

--
MEB
Windows Networking, Diagnostics, and other materials
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and government
http://peoplescounsel.org
-------

MEB wrote:
square/circle wrote:
Hello,

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Spent the last week trouble-shooting, including an absolute confirmation
from my Isp that the problem is not at their end.

In 'modem' via control-panel, there was/is a box that allows for a
nominated time before a computer disconnects if not being used, and as
long as I can remember it has always been greyed-out.
My Isp and I decided it might be a good idea to activate the box and
enter 300 minutes. (of which is the 5 hour block I get from my Isp)

Is there any other setting I may have missed? Is there any reason at all
why this has suddenly started doing this?

Thank you for replies.

S/C.

It would help if you provide more information if you wish group help.

1. What ISP/service are you using?

2. What other settings have you modified?

3. What is the update status, and is this a "officially" updated system?

4. What is the type of modem or connection being used?


Hello,,
I will try to answer some questions, and also tell of another factor
that I forgot.
First, the one I forgot:: The connection itself seems to not actually
be disconnecting as the icon remains near the clock(task bar). If I go
to use my house phone during these periods, I still don't get a dial
tone, of which is par for the course when I am connected to the net.
Also, I have been using the same Isp with the same settings (untouched)
for over 5 years, and said, this problem only popped up a month ago,
hence me asking Isp if anything had changed on their end.
-------

1)Am using a simple dial-up service.
2)I havent modified any settings at all, never had a need to.
3)If you mean are all windows updates for 98SE up to date, no they are
not, there are probably a few missing.(but again, no problems in 5yrs.)
4)The modem is an 'external box'. 56k v90. I get data transfer at 44,000
bps.
5)Have never had a firewall, and still dont. I do have Kerio stashed in
a folder, but from what I have read(lurking and otherwise) a software
firewall useless, and only a router can give adequate protection.(no, I
dont have one of those either... never had a need.)

Hope this is enough.

S/C

MEB wrote:
square/circle wrote:
Hello,

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Spent the last week trouble-shooting, including an absolute confirmation
from my Isp that the problem is not at their end.

In 'modem' via control-panel, there was/is a box that allows for a
nominated time before a computer disconnects if not being used, and as
long as I can remember it has always been greyed-out.
My Isp and I decided it might be a good idea to activate the box and
enter 300 minutes. (of which is the 5 hour block I get from my Isp)

Is there any other setting I may have missed? Is there any reason at all
why this has suddenly started doing this?

Thank you for replies.

S/C.

It would help if you provide more information if you wish group help.

1. What ISP/service are you using?

2. What other settings have you modified?

3. What is the update status, and is this a "officially" updated system?

4. What is the type of modem or connection being used?


Hello,,
I will try to answer some questions, and also tell of another factor
that I forgot.
First, the one I forgot:: The connection itself seems to not actually
be disconnecting as the icon remains near the clock(task bar). If I go
to use my house phone during these periods, I still don't get a dial
tone, of which is par for the course when I am connected to the net.
Also, I have been using the same Isp with the same settings (untouched)
for over 5 years, and said, this problem only popped up a month ago,
hence me asking Isp if anything had changed on their end.
-------

1)Am using a simple dial-up service.
2)I havent modified any settings at all, never had a need to.
3)If you mean are all windows updates for 98SE up to date, no they are
not, there are probably a few missing.(but again, no problems in 5yrs.)
4)The modem is an 'external box'. 56k v90. I get data transfer at 44,000
bps.
5)Have never had a firewall, and still dont. I do have Kerio stashed in
a folder, but from what I have read(lurking and otherwise) a software
firewall useless, and only a router can give adequate protection.(no, I
dont have one of those either... never had a need.)

Hope this is enough.

S/C

square/circle wrote:
MEB wrote:
square/circle wrote:
Hello,

Have encountered a problem that has been happening for the last month. \
(Win98SE, Dun,)
Problem is my connection seems to time-out after about 10 minutes of
non-use. It is okay if it is being used.

Spent the last week trouble-shooting, including an absolute confirmation
from my Isp that the problem is not at their end.

In 'modem' via control-panel, there was/is a box that allows for a
nominated time before a computer disconnects if not being used, and as
long as I can remember it has always been greyed-out.
My Isp and I decided it might be a good idea to activate the box and
enter 300 minutes. (of which is the 5 hour block I get from my Isp)

Is there any other setting I may have missed? Is there any reason at all
why this has suddenly started doing this?

Thank you for replies.

S/C.

It would help if you provide more information if you wish group help.

1. What ISP/service are you using?

2. What other settings have you modified?

3. What is the update status, and is this a "officially" updated system?

4. What is the type of modem or connection being used?


Hello,,
I will try to answer some questions, and also tell of another factor
that I forgot.
First, the one I forgot:: The connection itself seems to not actually
be disconnecting as the icon remains near the clock(task bar). If I go
to use my house phone during these periods, I still don't get a dial
tone, of which is par for the course when I am connected to the net.
Also, I have been using the same Isp with the same settings (untouched)
for over 5 years, and said, this problem only popped up a month ago,
hence me asking Isp if anything had changed on their end.
-------

1)Am using a simple dial-up service.
2)I havent modified any settings at all, never had a need to.
3)If you mean are all windows updates for 98SE up to date, no they are
not, there are probably a few missing.(but again, no problems in 5yrs.)
4)The modem is an 'external box'. 56k v90. I get data transfer at 44,000
bps.
5)Have never had a firewall, and still dont. I do have Kerio stashed in
a folder, but from what I have read(lurking and otherwise) a software
firewall useless, and only a router can give adequate protection.(no, I
dont have one of those either... never had a need.)

Hope this is enough.

S/C

Well, the days of no firewall ended several years ago... if it was ever
viable... my guess is you have the usual China, Taiwan, Philippine,
Russian, and Brazilian IPs hanging around your connection...

Might want to Check for virus and spyware, and run HighJackThis and
check for potential malware and BHO issues. If your using Flash at all,
you've probably been hacked..

The firewall adds another benefit, it allows you to monitor what IPs
are connected *to* you, and what protocols and ports are being used..
and no, a software firewall is not useless, it happens to be your ONLY
real protection available when on dial-up Phone line service. And to
disable a firewall externally [or internally for that matter], generally
kills the access and pops-up a warning from the firewall [had it happen
more than once].
Used in conjunction with a good HOSTS file, something like Spyware
Blaster, and anti-virus software you at least stand a small chance of
being able to run 9X in the wild of the Internet. Otherwise you tend to
be added to the pools of thousands of Zombied computers or bot farms, or
end up passing around bad stuff to others... or end up with some of the
newer hacks for 9X like the recent hard drive destroyers..

You might want to remove and re-install your modem driver,, what is it
a 3Com/USR? [e.g., what manufacturer?]

Is it comm port or USB?

How about a short description of what you worked through with your ISP.

--
MEB
Windows Networking, Diagnostics, and other materials
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and government
http://peoplescounsel.org
-------