internet quandary

How does the computer still "see" your ISP?

If you still have a Internet site open, but you cannot navigate it, I would think that you are operating from the website in cache (ie in the memory of the local computer... not the Internet).

DSL operates over PPoE (point-to-point over ethernet)... there's often a time-out function built into the DSL modem.

It may be that in fact, the "inactivity" is causing you to lose internet connectivity and timing out. When this happens, go to a dos prompt and see if you can ping www.yahoo.com. If not, then you have timed out.

One possible fix is to purchase a broadband router/firewall and set it up for no timeouts. If you already have this and Internet is still timeing out, then I'd suggest you look at power management on the computer.

Hibernation is often setup in multiple locations (bios, OS, hdd, etc) and usually I turn off all the hardware hibernations and let WinXP control it if my user even wants hibernation.

Knowing you ISP would be helpful...

Bellsouth for one has issues with there DSL service - after a perios of time, the connection times out and only fix is a restart of the pc.

As said above, if I recall, if you can buy yourself a cheap 30-50 $ router, you can set the router up to sign on - No ISP software needed at all on your pc WOOHOO and just plug your network wire into that from the pc and surf all day and night without any problems.

Only problem you would run into with above setup is if your line actually went down or they were servicing it.

I recommend a d-link router as I have done a few linksys jobs and even with firmware updates, they have been really flaky at times.

Good luck in your choice