Disconnections by Dialup ISP? Can one mitigate? 6

[richardhot]

Hello, all

I have used various ISPs for logon in my time and find that all of them either:

1. disconnect me fairly often "just like that", whereby i have to reconnect and lose either the work or train of thought..

2. force me to resart/shutdown because logon icon in Systray somehow won't let me kill connection...unresponsive to normal logoff.

Is there any way to mitigate this annoying pattern, short of upgrading to DSL/online DSL,etc?

Thanks.
richardhot

 

[richardhot]

Hello dompros, et al

Thanks all tips. "Mark this post...." link is not working so I can't but thank you guys here.

Here's a final idiotic question:
Sometimes when i logon to internet, the connection is made-but-dead if you know what i mean...you rightclick say on the logon/two green computer symbol in the Systray/notification area and you can't disconnect. The connection is there but dead. There's typically no "flashing".
Is this par for the course for dialup? Remediable somehow?
Is it the case that x per cent of connections are supposed to be dead (ie you have to restart/shut down, say, to disconnect, etc...)

Don't have enough experience to know if this is normal random defectiveness and typical or not.
Thanks.
richardhot

 

[richardhot]

Lastly...

Any thoughts on settings and tweaks in MY COMPUTER/Dial Up Networking rightclick ISP icon, choose Properties, click on SERVER TYPES tab.

How to think about:

1.Advanced Options list. (currently: "Enable Software Compression"=only entry checked off)

2.Allowed Network Protocols (TCP/IP checked off)

Recommendations?
thanks
richardhot

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Hi Richard

When you get the two "computer lights" on the task bar and no traffic flow (i.e. not lit up or flashing) then I would suggest that your ISP is suffering from congestion. That would make sense as to why your connection is being pulled and given to someone else. My suggestion = get a better ISP.

On to the settings

1.Advanced Options list. (currently: "Enable Software Compression"=only entry checked off)

2.Allowed Network Protocols (TCP/IP checked off)

Let us accept that we both speak English, but yours is different to mine. Does "checked off" mean that there is a tick/checkmark in the box? - If so, then your settings are correct.

Regards
Phil

 

[richardhot]

Criustyoldbloke

Thanks as usual. I now generally begin to see what to expect.

Yes, checked off means the check box has a tick mark there.Isn't that common parlance?

The "Mark this post..." link is not firing off but appreciate all insights...

gratefully,
richardhot

 

[dompros]

Download... My vital agent by Lucent

http://www.webattack.com/get/myvital.shtml

Here is one place to get it, there are others. Do a google search.
It's free and it will tell you plenty about your connection!

Regards, visit:

http://www.chinaadviser.com

 

[richardhot]

Hi, dompros, all

Great...I'm gonna give it a try.

thanks as always
richardhot

 

[WheeDoggy]

~DOMPROS

"Pinging the server with a mail program is in common usage world wide.
Guessing that it won't work, is not practical..."

As this may work with some dialup ISP's, NOT guessing but speculating that it may not work IS practical.

Although I do not know ALL facts of this issue, which I never claimed - My remark was speculative, logical, and without taking a survey of different dialup users. One with a "practical" mind can only theorize the following............

1. "Keep Alive" type of apps are popular. Can you tell me that the only function of these apps is the equivalent of sending a TCP:110 packet to a mailserver?
Why then do some claim to go as far as to include simulated web-browsing on MANY different sites? Here's one site where you can have a look:

http://www.totalshareware.com/asp/list_view.asp?catid=89

2. Dialup ISP's have you "dropped" for a reason. That reason is most have more users than they can handle and need to continually recycle IP's which is not done by holding up dead carriers. I don't think that they would let a seemingly crucial need be thwarted by allowing the majority of the public (whose email clients are configured to do frequent mailserver checks for new emails), and are commonly running, while the users are connected online.

There may also be political corporate pressure on ISP's from the Telephone Companies who sometimes ARE the ISP.
A Tel. Co. may have an issue due to their flatrate local calling plans which enable a consumer to have a carefree attitude in regards to unnecessarily keeping a line open and affecting the communication networks. Let's face it - there are way too many people out there who while watching TV would leave the dialup connection opened without regard to someone who needs to do referencing online and continually receives busy signals on dialup. Even more people don't care about the ISP.


For ISP's and Telephone companies to hold dead carriers would require spending alot more $$$ on hardware to support nothing but people who don't care or don't like to wait for the dialup and handshake.
I cannot logically comprehend that they would let a safeguard, against unnecessarily spending more $$$ on hardware or losing more $$$ due to losing customers tired of dialup busysignals, be thwarted by frequent pop3 hits to the same mailserver/s continually.

Please let me know how what you say is fact.

Does anyone else think that I have presented a case here?

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Absolutely Old Chap. Well done. Your logic does you proud. Regards
Phil

 

[richardhot]

Hello there

Came across the site:

http://threefold.net/DataSol/Downloads.asp

It offers several freeware utilities to "stay connected to ISP"...know nothing about web site/firm ot downloads themselves. Several choices are offered...who knows which is best...

Thought participants might be interested...
thanks
richardhot

 

[richardhot]

Folloup details to previous post:

Utilities

Stay Connected to your ISP

O-Disconnect - (Freeware) Stay connected to your ISP.
"Tired of being disconnected from your ISP? This program automatically sends a keep-alive signal to the ISP every ten minutes. Very easy to use, just start the program and quit worrying about disconnects."

1-KickThis - (Freeware) Stay connected to your ISP.
"1Kickthis is a small desktop utility for those who are upset by the continuous Connection terminations from their ISPs. 1Kickthis allow users to keep their Internet connection alive without degrading the Internet speed. It is a small wonder with which you remain connected to your ISP for hours without a single disconnection. Its hidden technology paced up the Internet speed and gives you the reliable and fast surfing activity over the net.
"The program features quick installation, a simple interface, and the ability to work with any standard dial-up ISP. Stay Connected with AOL (all versions), CompuServe, NetZero, Prodigy, MSN, Juno, AT&T WorldNet and all other Internet Service Provider's until you decide to disconnect rather than have them terminate your connection unwillingly. Everything is automatic from the moment you install it. Once 1Kickthis is running it will monitor for a Dialup Connection and when it finds one it will automatically start getting/downloading web pages at random Intervals (between 30 seconds and three minutes). For those who don't use Dialup Networking to connect to the Internet 1Kickthis can be controlled manually. While 1Kickthis is active it will simulate web browsing by randomly visiting various websites (by default the software comes with 50 different web site addresses) at random intervals giving the impression that you are quite busy browsing the web. It can even crawl through websites if you choose thus enhancing the illusion. No knowledge of your ISP is required."


Pinger - (Freeware) Stay Connected to your ISP.
"This is a 'Stay Alive' utility you can use to keep your connection active. Trick your ISP into thinking you are always active. Your ISP can't sniff this pinger and then find a way to ignore you. This pinger actually does what pingers are supposed to do: KEEP YOUR CONNECTION ALIVE! The program can run either in the system tray, or as a small screen that generates an insult whenever it pings an unused IP ( about 94% of the time, because pinging unused IPs keeps your connection active and does not bother real IPs )."

StayAlive Pro - (Trial) Stay Connected to your ISP.
This is a program that simulates Internet activity so you do not get disconnected from your ISP. Its features include simulating Internet activity through HTTP or PING, and site access from a random or sequential list. The period between activities can be random or fixed. You can remove the ISP nag window that informs you of being inactive too long. It can stop simulating activity or disconnect at your specified times, and much more.
Version 2.3 improves Internet activity simulation. Note: This is a 30-day trial. Registration costs $15.

KDA - (Freeware) Stay Connected to your ISP.
"KDA is a small program that downloads some data from the internet in an adjustable interval to simulate activity to the ISP. Automatic disconnection is very annoying when you idle on IRC or just go to get some coffee and find yourself disconnected because of inactivity. You can adjust the amount of traffic it produces and put it into the tray, so it doesn't take important space in the task bar. You even can make it autostart and automatically start when an internet connection is detected, so you don't need to care about idle problems anymore."

Connection Keeper - (Freeware) Stay Connected to your ISP.
Connection Keeper prevents your Internet connection from appearing idle or inactive. It does this using almost no bandwidth or system resources. If a connection is lost, Connection Keeper can automatically dial back in. It can even automatically simulate a button click to close popup windows (such as those asking if you wish to remain connected). You can configure precisely how your line is kept active, and Connection Keeper's window can be minimized to the system tray. The previous version added the ability to close a popup window from the command line, a "Log Errors" option to the Settings folder.


AC Plug - (Freeware) Stay Connected to you ISP
From the developer: "Usually ISPs disconnect users if they are not active for a certain period of time. This software prevents the disconnection from happening. The “AC-Plug” sends periodic signals that will keep your internet connection active. The program with its TWO button interface is extremely easy to use and requires no technical configuration ! AC Plug runs in the Windows tray, uses the global windows internet settings and does (almost) everything else automatic."

CNET User Opinions
71% 29% (163 votes)

REGARDS from richardhot

 

[gorga]

Could someone help me please, on start up the following files are said to be missing.
vnetsup.vxd
vredir.vxd
dfs.vxd, what is the easiest way to re-install the missing files and are they on the boot up disk.

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

These files are associated and required by a networked PC. If you are NOT part of a network, they may have been invoked accidentally in which case you need to remove them from the registry and possibly your WIN.INI file. Try this:

Click Start>Run...
In the Open box, type REGEDIT.
Click the Edit menu and choose Find.
In the Find box type VNETSUP.VXD and press Enter.
If VNETSUP.VXD is found press the DEL key. Do the same for the other files too.
Click Start>Shutdown. Choose Restart.
If the computer still has those errors during boot, check your WIN.INI file and delete them from there also.

Kind regards

Phil

 

[lawbabe]

Hi, thank you richardhot (are you really?lol) for all the information, BUT....I have read and tried everything in order to keep my isp, peoplepc.com, online...final conclusion, you can easily "stay alive" on any service, but MOST ISPs have a maximum online timeout! Bottom line is, when your time is up, it doesn't matter what alive program you are using, you will get disconnected. My isp is exactly four hours....one thought, why do they all claim that we will be getting UNLIMITED internet service??? Isn't disconnecting us before we want to be disconnected LIMITED??? I think yes! lol...there must be a lawsuit somewhere in that statement....lol...Anyway, when I do find the one computer smarty that knows how to keep me connected after four hours, I will let this forum know...if anyone knows of a CERTAIN way to extend the isp's maximum online time, please let me know. Please note that I am NOT talking about keeping computers ALIVE..that is so simple, i.e. Outlook Express Mail configurations....I am talking about the time set by ISPs...guess I am lucky to have the four hour gap, but doing a lot of legal research online and getting cut off at exactly 4 hours is very aggravating...thanks for listening....

 

[compgirlfhredi]

Unlimited Internet Access means just that, "Unlimited Internet ACCESS". Which means if you are online, and then disconnect, you can go back online a multiple of times on any given day. Most ISP's require atleast a 1 minute wait before reconnect. A maximum of 10 minutes inactivity(they can cut you out), and usually no more than 4 to 5 hours online per session. Before you accept an ISP contract stating Unlimited Internet Access, scroll down to bottom of page or ? and find the Terms of Service and click to read. Pay close attention to the headings Prohibited Use, Acceptable Use Policy, etc.
MOST of them do not take kindly to 'pinging' and/or email checking! That will also be one of the stipulations in the Terms Policy!
1. If you have a V90 or V92 modem, and your ISP has an 56k modem(s), then put the -V90=0 in your modem INIT string. This will disable the V90.
For Lucent (Agere) LT Winmodem V90 and you connect to a 56k,V90,ISDN ISP line, try the following string:
AT&FX-V90=1S38=0S28=1 (works VERY well with PPC)

S38=1 enables 56k
S38=0 disables 56k
-V90=0 disables V90

etc.



Right now, you occupy a point where three lines reach across the expanse of time and space and intersect only there, and that you and only you possess.

 

[lawbabe]

Thanks for that reply...but you fail to mention just what changing the string will do for my isp disconnects. At least I didn't get it...lol....

 

[compgirlfhredi]

lawbabe,
Sorry, guess I got a lil carried away. My account was terminated 3 days ago by my ISP for 'overuse'. They were 'kind' enough to point out MY misinterpretation to me. I have done a LOT of reading bout why I kept getting disconnected when I was on the internet, anywhere from 15 seconds to (if I was lucky) 30 minutes. All any ISP would tell me was to change the "disconnect if idle" in Network Connections setting. When that had no effect I figured it was my modem. My 'Modem Guru' friend told me about different INIT and AT commands that could possibly help. I too asked what that had to do with ISP disconnects. He told me that it had nothing to do with the ISP in general, but the many modems that some ISP's connect to. I was ????Then he told me,that what could be happening is like this,
"When two people are blindfolded and they want to do a "handshake", then they need to make a noise so as to tell each other where the other one is at."
I said, "OK...?"
"If one is making less noise than the other one, its difficult to make the "handshake" happen quickly, much less take hold and hold on. The weaker one will give up and the stronger one will let go altogether trying."
?????
I still didn't quite get it UNTIL I started reading and understanding AT1,ATI3, and such commands, what makes for a good connection and soforth.
Once again, I apologize for the confusion, but atleast it was good for a laugh...lol
Also, if problems of disconnections persist, some ISP's would like to know about the "difficult stations" that they use, so they can take steps to render it.

Right now, you occupy a point where three lines reach across the expanse of time and space and intersect only there, and that you and only you possess.

 

[lawbabe]

Well, I agree with one thing you said, where we are at this moment, is ours, our space, time and emotion is ours. lol..the very first thing one should do if you are getting SHORT disconnects is to check your phone line. This is the easiest way. Then there are the check points of "idle" timeouts being found all over your computer. My big quest is to find out how to disable ISP timeouts, not idle times, not modem time outs...not disabling call forward...have done all of that and at least can get four hrs on the nose until my isp disconnects. But, I too, have been through all of the disconnects, changed all of the above, but still am aggravated by the MAXIMUM timeouts that isps hand us!...The above problems are easily handled and give most ppl the fits, I am one step further in finding out just how to disable the isp disconnects........on the road to discovery now, but have to gather more information. And when I do I will GLADLY tell the rest of the world...lol...I, like some of the other forum members, have contacted my isp and other isps and they tell you that they need the air time and have to disconnect us at a certain point, which is all bull crap. My real solution is to go dsl, cable, satellite, etc, but live in the boondocks (MS) and can't get them...satellite I can get, but is very costly to get started...they want $500 just to get started, (ouch!)..but when finally my neighborhood gets up to the 21st century and has dsl, I will be there believe me...I spend lots of time on the internet, doing research takes hours, but have learned to time it to 3 hrs. 58 seconds and disconnect myself, starting over with another 4 hrs. of internet time...now, does this make sense that I can get right back on and work and they think I am not taking up air time? Pleez...oh well, thanks for the replies and I hope we both have learned SOMETHING! lmao.........thanks again

 

[Moonrsr]

Well, I did what compgirlfhredi said and rechecked my "term", guess what, shes right! I am in the same boat with lawbabe
1.Live where there is no cable, just cable thru a satellite that belongs to the company and comes thru the house as such.
2.No DSL out here!
3.No cable either. Although my "wireless" cable company has a lil satellite that sits ontop my house.

I even went as far as to have the phone company dig up my yard to put in a new line just for my computer. Which STILL did not help the disconnects or the speed to which I could connect.

I use to have PeoplePC as my ISP (a derivative of Earthlink, I found out). Yet my neighbor could be on the net for HOURS and not get bumped off! I tried Acer-Access, a member here had it as their email so thought I would geive them a try, and I could be on for quite a few hours at a time, but they limit your monthly hours to 200. Five hours a day limit just doesn't get it for me.
I am now on with a different ISP and no disconnects so far!Just didn't seem to have a very good (fast) connection from me to them. I did what compergirlfhredi suggested and lo and behold!, I don't wait 20 to 30 seconds to connect anymore, and my email downloads like WHAM! I realize that the connection status window is not your 'connection' speed, but to finally see it go from 19.2 to 115.2, gave me an overall feeling of satisfaction!

THANKS, compgirlfhredi!
lawbabe, anxiously awaiting the outcome of your research...

 

[compgirlfhredi]

Glad SUMTHIN out of that combobulation helped someone! You are quite welcome.

Right now, you occupy a point where three lines reach across the expanse of time and space and intersect only there, and that you and only you possess.

 

[dompros]

Maybe this suggestion will help to beat the ISP timeout...
I went through 5 major national ISP's last year, before I reached the conclusion that they don't need me and really don't care about my needs.
The major ISP's have the experience and the expertise do do as they please with their accounts and policies.

I switched to a new small local ISP. One that needs every client, is not crowded, makes every effort to stay online, and is relativly naive! My PC is virtually "never" timed out!

Regards...


visit:

http://www.chinaadviser.com