Member Avatar for FragFighter

Today is the third time in three weeks that I am having to reset the modem and set up the internet for my friend again.
I have never had this problem with any other Windows OS system... (Including 95)
Is this a normal thing for Windows Vista? Or is something messed? For some reason the settings keep on being reset.
Please keep in mind before answering:
-The person who uses this computer regularly knows nothing about computers except how to check her email
-We have a highspeed modem, but it keeps resetting to dialup

Any ideas?

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A concise, practical checklist for intermittent network drops in Windows Vista — building on 's request for more detail and 's driver/compatibility suggestion. These steps focus on isolating whether the problem is the network adapter, the OS network stack, or an external utility, and on safe, reversible fixes.

  • Check the network adapter first: Device Manager -> Network adapters -> Properties. On the Power Management tab, clear "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." In Advanced, try forcing Speed & Duplex (or set to Auto) and disable any "green"/energy features.
  • Remove or disable third-party connection managers, VPN clients, or dialer utilities that can override Windows settings. Test in Safe Mode with Networking to see if the issue disappears—if it does, a startup app is likely the cause.
  • If you can, try another adapter (USB NIC) or another PC on the same link to separate hardware from OS problems.

Reset the Windows network stack from an elevated command prompt (Run as administrator). Run these commands in order:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt

After running them, reboot.

Also check Event Viewer (System and Application) immediately after a drop for entries that timestamp the disconnect—those entries and the adapter driver version are the most useful details to gather before contacting support. When updating drivers, use the network adapter vendor’s Vista-era driver (or the chipset maker) and avoid beta builds. Take screenshots or note original settings before changing anything. If the problem persists after the checks above, record exact Event Viewer messages, adapter model, and the steps already tried; those make troubleshooting with the ISP or hardware vendor much faster.

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Member Avatar for PcPro12

please provide more info...

what company is highspeed internet from? HOW is it resetting to dial-up?

Member Avatar for FragFighter

Okay, we use Aliant... and what I mean by resetting is the broadband connection randomly pops up and then I lose the internet connection.

Member Avatar for submitqueen

Did you check if your modem is compatiable with windows Vista?. Also are you using the correct drivers for windows Vista. Check this information first.

Member Avatar for FragFighter

The modem I have was made specifically for windows vista; the same for the drivers... but I'll check to make sure they're installed correctly.

Member Avatar for FragFighter

I can't do a whole lot with it though because of the stupid warranty....
it limits my abilities to fix it A LOT.

Member Avatar for FragFighter

Solved! I figured it out by playing with the internet settings :)

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