What is the main cause of this?

[trueman]

A friend of mine keeps getting this error message and then gets disconnected.

Tcp/ip connection was unexpectedly interrupted by the server

How can we find out if this is the ISP that is causing the disconnections or something to do with his phone line or settings?

What OS is he running? Dial-Up, DSL, Cable?

[trueman]

Hes running Win98SE with 56k dial up.

[wju425]

Does he have call waiting? If so, there'a setting in the dialup properties that allows you to disable it when using the modem.

\o/ Billy

[XuLander]

add *70 to the isp phone number

[XuLander]

Also , when I have a new system and want to make sure the modem is working, I just put my cell phone # in place of the ISP phone # and that way you can call yourself and see if its the ISP, or maybe just because you don't have the right pass.

If it connects and disconects right away its most likely settings.

[trueman]

No he doesnt have call waiting.

What does *70 do when its in front of the phone number?

Its not password related because he can get on and check his mail and stuff but he will then get disconnected shortly afterwards.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Originally posted by trueman
No he doesnt have call waiting.

What does *70 do when its in front of the phone number?

*70 disables call waiting.

From Tech TV:

If you find that your dialup often disconnects when you leave your PC, try changing the idle time.

Here's how:

In the Start menu, open Settings > Control Panel.
Click Internet Options.
Click the Connection tab.
Click the Settings button.
Click Advanced.
Uncheck the box next to "disconnected if idle for (blank) minutes."

Your ISP shouldn't disconnect you again without your permission. The only way this won't work is if your ISP is doing the disconnecting. Many ISPs will boot you off for an idle connection whether you want them to or not.

HTH,

Bill