autodisconnect in XP has disappeared

pmd

When I close down IE, I used to get an "Autodisconnect" box asking if I wanted to close my internet connection (Tiscali broadband). It's stopped happening in the last couple of days.

1: Is this symptomatic of anything odd going on which I should worry about (if so, what should I do?)

2: How can I fix it - have explored IE Help and XP Help and not found anything.

I've got Windows XP, and am running AVG, Ad-Aware, Windows Defender, and UltraWinCleaner.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Pam

ABH_3

pmd wrote:

When I close down IE, I used to get an "Autodisconnect" box asking if I wanted to close my internet connection (Tiscali broadband). It's stopped happening in the last couple of days.

1: Is this symptomatic of anything odd going on which I should worry about (if so, what should I do?)

2: How can I fix it - have explored IE Help and XP Help and not found anything.

How to Enable the Auto Disconnect Feature in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=153965

HTH

pmd

Thanks, ABH. I'd already found that, and it doesn't mention XP or IE6, but I've followed the instructions, set the tick at "Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed" as it says, and still don't reliably get the Autodisconnect. Though it did pop up just once. Weird.

Any more thoughts?

Pam

electron_3

If anything is using the connection after IE the auto disconnect will stop appearing in some insatnces its not anyting to really worry about unless you pay per minute for the connection or hog a phoneline because of the connection.

Sloganjerry

Anyone Know Why things disappear in XP? I used to have my anti virus icon in the tool bar down in the left hand corner and also an icon for my broadband connection with Tiscali. Both these icons have disappeared today? But both my anti virus and my broadband connection seem to be working so dont understand it? Unless I pressed something I shouldnt have?

Anyone any ideas? Is this a symptom of anything?

Could anything be wrong?

Cheers
Sloganjerry

Chippy_Minton

Sloganjerry wrote:

Anyone Know Why things disappear in XP? I used to have my anti virus icon in the tool bar down in the left hand corner and also an icon for my broadband connection with Tiscali. Both these icons have disappeared today?

For icons on the left side of the taskbar, this sounds like you've disabled the Quick Launch toolbar. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar, move the mouse to Toolbars and see if Quick Launch is ticked. If it isn't, click it.

For icons on the right-hand side, right-click an empty part of the taskbar and click Properties. At the bottom of this window there is a tick box for 'Hide inactive icons', or click Customize to set the behaviour of individual items.

Mr_Meanie

If you are using broadband you don't have to "Autodisconnect" because it's on all the time, (well you've paid for it to be so it should be) it's only used with dial up connections, so,

1: Is this symptomatic of anything odd going on which I should worry about (if so, what should I do?)

No, nothing to worry about. (You don't need to do anything.)

2: How can I fix it - have explored IE Help and XP Help and not found anything.

You don't need to fix it cause it aint broke!

I hope this puts your mind at rest.

pmd

Mr_Meanie wrote:

If you are using broadband you don't have to "Autodisconnect" because it's on all the time, (well you've paid for it to be so it should be) it's only used with dial up connections, .....

I know it doesn't cost me any more if it's on all the time - but I thought from a security aspect it was wiser to disconnect when not using the net, just reducing the chance of anything malign reaching my PC.

Am I over-cautious?

Pam

LULUBELLE_2

As long as you have good AV and a good firewall, you can leave it on forever - the length of time that it's connected won't affect it's vulnerability.

Mr_Meanie

Well I must admit when I’m finished online I disconnect from the internet by using the Zone Alarm ‘Stop All Internet Activity’ feature, but the only problem with this method is that you might have to restart your computer when you want to get back online.

albertross_2

pmd wrote:

Am I over-cautious?

Pam

No, you are being sensible. The longer it is on, the bigger the window of opportunity for hackers/worms to have a go..