ntl logging off

[gazzawazza]

I'm on ntl and find it infuriating the way the modem logs off every five minutes or so if you don't actually click to go to a new page or website (say for example the time it takes to read a couple of questions and then write an answer to post, the blinking thing has logged off and I have to re-write the answer to send). Does anyone know a way to prevent this, and is it only ntl or is it a standard practice for ISPs?

[Sensei]

A couple of things could be going on here, but since you said that it happens when you are doing nothing, I'll start with "fixes" for that. I'm assuming you are using a PC with 95 or 98...even if you aren't, there's probably a similar setting somewhere. There is a setting called "disconnect if idle for more than XX minutes." From the dial up connection screen when you first log on, select settings, then internet properties, connections, settings, advanced and the setting for disconnect is located there. If that box is check, either uncheck it or set the time to a much larger interval. Your operating system may be a little different, but look around for the disconnect setting. It could also be your ISP. If it is and there is no way around it through them, there are programs that keep the connection alive. I know ZDNet has at least one. Basically, the program sends a signal to your ISP periodically to make it appear that you are being active. Some ISP's can figure out if you are doing this and disconnect you anyway. Of course, someone has written a program that will make it harder for the ISP to figure out if you are doing this. And as a last resort, you could always type your answers in notepad and then cut and paste them into the web page or whatever.

[xyzzyplugh]

You probably figured it out by now but anyway; Change a setting in Outlook Express to tell it to 'check for mail every minute while online' It doesn't slow your connection down noticeably and it keeps you online. HTH.