# computer problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 30, 2002, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607 "2002-07-30T23:55:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anubis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Anubis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anubis)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/1 "2002-07-30T23:55:13Z")
(I stuck this here because there have been more computer questions in MPSIMS than in GQ, so Mods, if this needs to be moved, I beg your forgiveness) Ever since I came back from vacation a week ago, the computer has been acting up. When I try to connect, it gets stuck on ‘connecting to server’ for about a minute then asks for a Windows password (which I don’t use so just hit cancel). When I check e-mail I am disconnected so I have to wait another agonizingly boring two minutes for it to reconnect, and when I send an e-mail, it disconnects. And for a while, I couldn’t stay logged in to anything (even though all the internet options were the same as before I left) until a while ago something happened to make it so I could, which explains why I haven’t posted this before. Can anyone tell me what might be wrong and how to fix it? ---
**Author:** ![fallom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@fallom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fallom)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/2 "2002-07-30T23:57:51Z")
It’s most likely a problem with your isp. As much as you may hate to do it, contact tech support. ---
**Author:** ![odd-socks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@odd-socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/odd-socks)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/3 "2002-07-31T00:23:42Z")
as **fallom** suggested, maybe a chat with your ISP is in order? Other things you might try: did you download anything new before you went away that might have whacked out your settings? Are your virus definitions up to date? When was the last time you ran scandisk and defrag? Is your actual 'phone cable ok? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/4 "2002-07-31T02:38:49Z")
Might also try reinstalling your modem driver. Your ISP and/or computer manufacturer will tell you to do it, so go ahead and beat them to the draw. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/5 "2002-07-31T06:44:03Z")
Problems with getting e-mail? ISP related. Get tech support pronto. Problem logging in–and computer asking for Windows password? Check settings in Internet Explorer and your network adapter settings. Also, your ISP may have new protocols for logging and passwords. I know Earthlink did. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/6 "2002-07-31T17:02:57Z")
I would try another dialup number. They should have more than one. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem/121607/7 "2002-07-31T17:04:47Z")
Earthlink access here went to hell when the schools let out for the Summer.