My modem drops the internet connection whenever an incoming call is detected by the ‘Modem-on-Hold’ facility. How do I disable this function to stop the dropouts? A second issue relates to backups. Whenever I use the Backup and Restore wizard to make a backup of the system to an external hard drive, the backup does not work correctly on the ‘All information on this computer’. The report has the following information: ‘Backup Status. The files for the recovery diskette could not be created. The operation was aborted. The operation did not successfully complete’. However, the backup works correctly when selecting any of the three other backup options. The computer is running Windows XP SP2. (more…)

My home setup has two PCs running Windows XP, and one printer attached to each PC. I wish to network both PCs together so any printer can be used from any PC, and to allow files and internet to be shared between the computers. You recently wrote an article about a cross-over cable. Can one of these cables be used for this setup, or do we need to buy a special router or print server? (more…)

I am connected to the Transact network, and use a D-Link ethernet router to connect to the internet. Having left the router on when the computers were off, there was still a large amount of download (about 5 MB in a 5 hour period). Is this traffic typical? I am now disconnecting the router from the broadband connection to terminate the session and avoid unnecessary downloads. Can I configure the router to terminate when the PC is off, or is there a better strategy? (more…)

My ADSL connection (using a NB1300 modem) drops out periodically when using the internet, and the same problem is experienced using the modem with my Xbox. The connection does not disconnect from the server, but it just stops uploading and downloading. There is no problem at the ISPs end, the phone line is fine and the modem is not setup to time-out. The computer is running Windows XP. The problem occurs regardless of which application is being used (e.g. Netscape, Firefox, or Outlook). (more…)

Recently I made the jump to broadband and because of the wireless capability of my laptop I chose the D-Link DSL-604T wireless ADSL router/modem. When configuring the router the instructions highly recommend that other firewalls should be disabled to avoid any conflicts. My computer is running the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall and the Norton Internet Security firewall. If I disable these firewalls, will the ADSL firewall be enough? What are the possible conflict problems they mention? The computer is running Windows XP. (more…)