computer log off

[sunflower68]

Can anyone find me a simple solution to my problem. It appears that when I open a link within a page and then close the link, the computer logs off and logs onagain from scratch. This doesn't always happen but it' getting on my nerves! Actually it's mainly online Tesco.

[koster]

I think you mean that when you close an Internet Explorer window, Internet Explorer disconnects you from the Internet.

In Internet Explorer, go to the Tools menu, go to Internet Options, go to Connections. Click on Settings. Click on Advanced. Remove the tick from the box which says, "Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed."

[sunflower68]

hi koster thankyou for your reply; unfortunately I can't find this under Advanced : (

[koster]

The instructions were for Internet Explorer 8 and Windows Vista. Which version of Internet Explorer and which version of Windows do you have?

For Windows XP try this:
Click 'Start', click 'Control Panel', and then double-click 'Internet Options'.
Click the 'Connections' tab, click your Dial-Up Networking connection, and then click 'Settings'.
Under 'Dial-up Settings', click 'Advanced'.
Click the 'Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed' tick box to untick it.
Click 'OK', click 'OK', and then click 'OK' again.

[sunflower68]

thanks koster I am really sorry to be a pain here, when I click connections tab, there is no place I know of where to find Dial up Networking connection, however I went to Advanced tab and it was more or less the same list of things as were on the tools menu yesterday. These do not appear to include a 'disconnect when connection no longer avail' part.

I can now see that this is what I do need to disable, it is just finding it! Yes it is Windows XP btw.

[koster]

When you click the 'Connections' tab, there is a rectangular white box in the middle. In this white box there might be nothing, there might be one connection listed, or there might be several. Can you see that?

If there is something in the box then the one at the top of the list will have 'default' in brackets. Highlight that and then click on 'Settings' on the right.

I take it you have dial-up Internet, and not broadband?

[sunflower68]

yes I see it koster and it is a plain white empty box! I am on Sky Broadband. : )

[koster]

How is your computer connected to the Internet? Do you have a modem plugged into a USB port, or do you have a router (with wires or wireless), probably for several computers in the house?

[sunflower68]

I never know the difference! The box came when I joined Sky; it connects the phoneline to the computer; I think it is a router.

[koster]

A router can be used for several computers, whereas a modem is for one.

Therefore, if you look at a router you will four or more identical sockets numbered 1, 2, 3, 4. There will either be a network cable between one of these sockets and the network socket on your computer, or the connection will be wireless.

On a modem you will only see one socket suitable for connecting your computer, or the cable might be permanently attached to the modem. It will either plug into the network socket or the USB socket of your computer.

However, another way to know is just to read what it says on the device - just look at the label and see if it says "modem" or "router". Or, if it says "Speedtouch", for example, then it's a modem. The Speedtouch 330 seems to be one of the most common modems given away by an Internet Service Provider.

Finally, it could be a "cable modem", in which case it probably says "Sky" on it. This would be the case if you get your broadband, phone and TV as one package from Sky.

[sunflower68]

Thanks koster yes I think it is the latter, it is a sky one with 4 ports to it but I only use one computer.
I have solved the problem somewhat in that when I open a window I mimimise it instead of closing it. Still not right thoough.

[koster]

OK, so now we know you're on Sky broadband and you have a router. Your one computer is connected to the router with a cable.

Next we need to know what the problem is. Is it like I described in message 2? That is, when you close an Internet Explorer window, Internet Explorer disconnects you from the Internet. When you open a new Internet Explorer window, you are automatically reconnect to the Internet.