Disconnect errors -- WinXP?

[Ryukumu]

Lately my DSL connection has been acting a little strangely. About once every hour and a half, the connection'll cut off for a split second then come back on. For normal net usage this isn't a problem, but it wrecks havoc when I'm playing an online game or downloading large files off of IRC (for example), as I lose my server connection. I didn't notice this error until I upgraded my computer to Windows XP-- it never happened when I was using Windows 98.

The only kind of clue I get as to what is causing this is an entry in my IRC status window that reads something to the effect of '[10053] Software caused disconnect'. All other programs simply say 'connection lost'.

My home LAN has two computers plugged into a Linksys 4-port router, which connects to a DSL line. The other computer has Windows XP and also suffers from this problem.

Again, I think this may be a quirky setting within Windows XP, as this hasn't happened when I was using Windows 98. Then again, during the time while my computer was out of commission as XP was installed, it IS possible that something changed with my ISP. I'm not sure.

Any ideas?

 

[AkumaBao]

Try setting your router not to disconnect after idle. On my Linksys, you set it to "Keep Alive: Redial Period __", and then you don't have to worry about any type of idle.

 

[Ryukumu]

Yeah, it's been set like that. It's currently set to 30 seconds for the redial period, and it's been working fine. ?_?

EDIT: And, the disconnect goof happens whether or not the connection is idle. I can be in the middle of a ~60k/sec or higher download and it'll still cut out around the 90 minute mark give or take seven minutes.

 

[Ryukumu]

Bump? Yes, bump.

EDIT: Just to experiment, I've tried setting the router to 'Connect on Demand', BUT I've set the Max Idle Time to '0'. According to the instruction manual, doing so will keep the connection on constantly. I'm not sure what the difference is between this and the 'Keep Alive' option, but we'll see what happens.

 

[Ryukumu]

No dice, didn't fix a thing. So the way I see it, it could be one of two things:

1) A wacky setting somewhere hidden in Windows XP
2) An error from the ISP

I'm banking more on #1, as this never happened when I was still using Windows 98. It is possible that when my computer was in the shop having XP put on it, #2 occured, so this whole thing COULD be an ISP issue. I doubt it, though... that's a little too convenient, don't you think?

Anyone got any ideas?

EDIT: Actually, it's not always at the ~90 minute mark... sometimes it cuts earlier, sometimes later. It just cut off on me now after 20 minutes. Any ideas?

 

[Kazi]

dunno what you mean about 'cut' but ive had my dsl modem disconnect me. Takes about a minute or less to reinitialize and continue fine but it happends to me. Also, try leaving the modem off for a while. Ive experimented with this by puttin an extre 90mm fan on the modem and even disconnecting my XP. It happens at random intervals, not every 90 min or so like your problem. Mine happens 4-9 times a day every couple days.

BEFSRU31 LinkSys Router
XP Home - P4 1.6 ghz
Win2k Pro - P3 533 mhz
WinME - P3 933 mhz

Like I said, i dont know if your cutoff is from a modem disconnect or just that computer. If its the computer, try running a spyware removal program.

Here's A Good One

Hope this helps.

-Kazi

 

[Ryukumu]

Hrm. Well, after talking to a few friends who know a bit about networking, it sounds like my ISP might have a function where it cuts off then comes right back on, possibly in order to prevent people from running FTP or file servers. Greeeeeeeeat... -_-

BTW, my house is wired for fiber-optics, so there's no actual 'modem' to speak of.

EDIT: When I say 'cut off', it's like the router has to re-dial in to the ISP. It lasts only a split-second, but again, you lose any downloads you were in the middle of.

 

[Ryukumu]

Problem solved! I think the default drivers supplied by WinXP had issues with my NIC card. Updated the drivers with Linksys' most recent Win2K drivers and it doesn't cut out anymore. Thanks for the help!