System Resources.

Consider the amount of memory in the system
While you have three open applications,what do you have running in the background that will be running at the same time,
Use CNTRL+ALT+DEL- to determine what programs you have running in the back ground,thus see what you can eliminate from running while you are using the machine to open multiple pages

I believe that the problem is with your modem. Your computer came standard with the Lucent LT V.90 Data+Fax Modem Version 5.78 (WinModem).

Modems can be classified into two basic types. One type is the hardware based modem, which has many components built into the modem itself that help with the various functions necessary in establishing & maintaining a connection. Another type is commonly referred to as a Winmodem or a Softmodem, which is (at least partially) a software based design thatrelies more heavily on your computer’s resources to function. The Winmodems and Softmodems are the type of modem that many brand name computer manufactures (Gateway, IBM, HP, CTX, Toshiba, & Compaq to name a few) have begun to include with their computers to cut costs.

If you have a Winmodem in your computer and experience connection difficulties, your modem is most likely the problem & should be the first issue that you address to correct your problem.

I would suggest that you try a different modem, perhaps the 3Com/US Robotics moden card. (I believe your model supports that particular modem card.) Of course, you'd have to uninstall (logistically) the old and reinstall the new, but I think you'd be happy with the results. If the modem I suggested is not supported by your computer, check your manual or ask the manufacturer (or retailer you bought it from) and ask for a recommendation on a hardware based modem.

Best of luck,

Maxwell

First, try cleaning out your Windows\temp folder,
and your temporary internet files.
You want to have an absolute minimum of 10% or 100 MB (whichever is larger) free HD space.

Then run a memory utility such as memturbo, or freememt to check formemory leaks.

As soulrider said, you may just have insufficient memory. I would want a minimum of 128MB of physical memory with either 98 or Me.

goto start, run, type in msconfig, goto the startup tab. uncheck all unnecessary item. here is a link that will tell you what you have to have and what you can turn off and what it does.
http://www.angelfire.com/tn2/rednecksouth/freeware/startup.htm
then select apply and ok
then restart