Sometime way back, I was given the option to disconnect from the internet if
inactivity was detected after a certain time period. I don't recall what
program it was or even if it was a windows' setting. Now I'm finding this
feature a pain, and would like to disable it. Unfortunately, I cannot recall
or find anything within windows where I can do this. Any suggestions?

Hi
It might depends on the type of connection that you have and its settings.
Since you did not provided any info about what the term Internet connection
means in your specific case there is No way to answer.
In addition if you have Cable or DSL connection you should buy a Wireless
Cable/DSL Router. Even with a single computer you would be much safer behind
a Router, and the Router would keep the Internet alive regardless of the
status of the computer.
A decent Router can be found for under $40.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

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Show quote Hide quote Sorry about the lack of info - not being computer-orientated, not knowing
what info would be required.  I use a DSL connection, and I do have a
firewall router (linksys - wired - don't trust wireless) - always have. About
a year ago - I had to do a new WinXP install, and at some point I was given
the option to disconnect from the internet if there was inactivity detected -
even though the page I would be on still shows. For example, I could be
typing this message out, and when I go to post it, a window pops up saying
unable to send or internet is offline (something like that), and would give
me the option to continue to work offline, or try again. Usually "try again"
reconnects and I can continue on. But on some forums/wesites, I'd have to log
back in again. I enabled this feature, thinking that this would provide an
extra safety block in the event someone tried to ping my computer (realizing
after the fact that having the router likely would be sufficient). At any
rate, I'm finding this to be a nuisance  and want to get rid of it. If you
need further info, I'd be happy to provide.

Look in the router's PPP (WAN) config for two items:

Dial On Demand: NO (unticked)
Inactivity Timeout : Zero

These settings should nail the problem.

To access the router's config, you enter its IP address into a browser. This
varies between models, but many linksys units are 192.168.1.1

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Thanks for your reply - I spent 30 minutes going through every page in my
router, and the only way I could locate reference to "Keep Alive" and
"Connect on Demand" on the setup page is if I select any "internet connection
type" as other than "obtain an IP automatically", ie PPPoE or RAS or PPTE,
etc. I've always had the "Obtain an IP Automatically" selected, and with
that, I don't have the option to affect "keep alive" or Connect on Demand".
On the information bar to the right of these settings - there is a mention
that I could select "Connect on demand" on the "Status" screen - but when I
looked at the Status screen - everything is read-only, and there isn't any
button or even any mention of Connect on Demand. My linksys is a BEFSX41,
with ver1.52.9 firmware. My ISP is with Telus - would I use the PPPoE,
instead of "obtain IP automatically"?

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