# Whose fault are my surfing woes?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-fault-are-my-surfing-woes/48675>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 6, 2001, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-fault-are-my-surfing-woes/48675 "2001-01-06T02:10:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-fault-are-my-surfing-woes/48675/1 "2001-01-06T02:10:15Z")

</div>

I have a great job. When nothing’s going on (and in the winter, little is) we have unrestricted internet access.

Problem is, you can expect to be “kicked off” at least once an hour. Then it takes you at least half an hour to log back on. Either the modem will squeal endlessly, and finally report that it was unable to establish a connection, or it will claim I have the wrong password. Usually a re-start of the computer will allow you to log back on.

I called the internet service provider, thinking they were to blame, but they claimed that it was the computer. The computer company claimed it was the internet service provider’s fault.

I’m leaning more toward the fault lying with the computer, but I’m not sure. So who should I blame for my problem, and is there any way that I could fix this myself without having to call someone?

Thanks!  
Lissa

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-fault-are-my-surfing-woes/48675/2 "2001-01-06T03:05:08Z")

</div>

Some of the options are well hidden. One you might not have noticed:

Pull down Tools / Internet Options…  
Tab: Connections/Settings / Properties /Configure /Connection/  
Disconnect a Call if Idle for \_\_\_Minutes.

If you have a different browser you can still reach them starting with  
My Computer/ Dial Up Netwroking / Pull down File /Properties…

Max seems to be 59 minutes.  
I believe this applies only to the first window opened.  
If you have multiple windows, it won’t look at the later ones.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-fault-are-my-surfing-woes/48675/3 "2001-01-06T03:07:36Z")

</div>

So anyway, the advice is to see what it’s set to and change it. To 59 minutes, or completely unchecked.  
Could help or not. Good luck.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2001, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-fault-are-my-surfing-woes/48675/4 "2001-01-06T03:23:09Z")

</div>

Thanks for the advice.

The box is unchecked.

I would have replied sooner, but alas, I got kicked off again!