lock-up of internet connection

[Mr-H]

After I have been using the Internet for a while (sometimes as little as 5 minutes) the connection 'locks up' and I can do nothing on the net. I can carry on using non-internet such as Word and Excel, but the only way I can get back on the net is to completely shut down the laptop, and then restart from the beginning. After a time (maybe as long as 15 minutes , the same thing .....) Any ideas?

[Buenchico]

This type of problem has been reported loads of times here. I used to have it myself but I found a solution that works. (I haven't got a clue why the problem happens and I don't know why my solution works. It just does!)

I've posted my way of fixing this lots of times and, with only one exception, it always seems to have worked. (The only guy who found it didn't help may have additional problems with his router).

So, for what it's worth, here's my suggestion:

First, find out the primary and secondary DNS addresses used by your ISP. (If you're not technically-minded, don't let that panic you. They're just sets of numbers, such as 195.92.195.94). If you're with one of the UK's main ISPs, you should be able to find the information
http://www.idl.uk.com/email/isp_settings.htm
or possibly here:
http://www.kitz.co.uk/isp/dns.htm
(If the information isn't there, you'll find it on your ISP's support pages).

Then access your PC's TCP/IP settings. The route varies depending upon your operating system.

For Windows ME (and earlier), go to Start > Settings > Dial-up Networking. Right-click on the icon for your internet connection and select 'Properties'. Click 'Networking' and 'TCP/IP Settings'.

For XP see here:
http://www.mediacollege.com/computer/network/d ns.html

For Vista see here:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US /help/e070bf7b-6d5e-4f49-b4f7-10aa8d8b11e21033 .mspx
(You won't need most o

[Buenchico]

Oops! Cut off!

The post should have finished thus:

(You won't need most of that information. You just need to know how to access the DNS settings).

Once you've got to the panel showing your DNS settings, click to change 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' to 'Use the following DNS server addresses'. Replace the rows of zeros, for the primary and secondary DNS (which Vista calls 'preferred' and 'alternate'), with the relevant addresses for your ISP. (Leave all other settings unchanged). Click 'OK'.

Chris

[terambulan]

Press Ctrl - Alt - delete together; it may show another program or site interference.