I have a Compaq Presario running Windows98, cable modem, McAfee VIRUS Scan, & all the rest is normal programs on pc's (nothing exotic).

I'll be on the internet, & if I LEAVE it running for more than a few minutes without doing any activity on the net (like if I'm writing a long email, & everything is just sitting), the computer loses it's internet connection, & I have to reboot the pc to get it working again.

This shouldn't be happening because I connect thru cable, which is always on.  I've contacted the cable company a couple TIMES & they've RUN tests to be sure the signal is getting thru to my modem (which it always is).  I contact Microsoft & explained the problem to them, they had no idea what causes the connection loss.

Anyone have a similar problem or know what I can try?it could be a nic card playing up....what irq is it on?? try a speed test to see if there is a net drop-out.....www.adslguide.co.uk......check that the cables are sound...... does the router contain a diagnostic fault log.....scan for trojans ETC......and final check the firewall logs..and see if it reports anything...