Periodically, while browsing, all of a sudden I can't connect to any sites. Both IE and Firefox won't connect.
Yet, my computer says I am still connected to the internet.
I use firefox most of the time to browse. When I GET the failed to connect message. I switch to IE and I get the same failed to connect message. I close both browsers and try to reopen, still the same error. Try to disconnect my internet connection and reconnect and open browser, same error.
The only thing I can do to fix it is restart my computer which is really annoying when you are in the middle of something.
I have GOOGLE searched for answers on this and on various computer help sites/forums and can't seem to find any solutions.
Any ideas?
Unplug your Modem...wait 1 MINUTE and plug it back in...wait 2 minutes before trying.
If there is a router involved do the same as above...
Re-boot the PC....I am connecting wirelessly on my laptop. The modem is attached to my desktop computer. Still try unplugging the modem and reconnecting?Yep.
If it's wireless do the same for the router...unless it's a wireless modem/router combo.
Re-boot the MAIN PC.Just a bit of personal experience here....I had the exact same issue several months ago......While downloading the Beta version of IE8 from the MS website no less, I was attacked by a driveby browser hijacker which crippled my PC and would only allow me to stay connected to the internet for 5 minutes at a time and then I had to reboot to connect again.....It planted malicious script which fried my DNS settings....It went right through Norton........POS

My advice is to have the specialists go over your logs and focus on an infection as well as hardware issues......

I had to eventually REINSTALL XP, but I was upgrading a HD so I was prepared for it.Hello Patio:
This occurs even if I do not have my desktop turned on. Just the router/modem is on. The next time this happens on the laptop I will try your suggestion to turn the modem off and back on. Will post the results. Thanks. Hello Karnac:

I hope that it isn't as serious as this.
I do not use IE unless there is a website that will not load properly with Firefox which is very rare.
I therefore do not download updates for IE either.
I have a secure wireless network, firewalled, virus & spyware scans regularly. So I hope that I am not vulnerable to what you have experienced.
Thanks for the advice and I will keep this in mind if I continue to have problems or it escalates.