Modem+Firewall=disconnect trouble

[gene1938]

After installing ZoneAlarm as a firewall-having problem with disconnections. I've tried changing FIFO buffers,different security settings for Internet. Anyboody have an ideas?? I've had the phone line checked out ect. System;A-Bit BP6,Motorola SM56 voice modem(new drivers for V90,server is V90),ELsaIII vid card,Diamond sound,C-D,2 HD, 128Meg RAM

[Amarok]

What programs are being allowed access to the net? Click on the Programs button in zone alarm and it will show you. The problem will be most likely one of the programs that needs access to the net does not have it. How long are you able to keep the connection alive? Could be your modem or IE if you are using it is set to disconnect after XX min of inactivity. Could you let us know what programs do not have access to the net at this time, as that would be very helpful

[gene1938]

Every program that shows on the zonealarm I've let have access- Internet is set to disconnect if idle for 90 minutes, I've also tried different settings for the level of security. There doesn't seem to be a pattern of time before I loose connection
Thanks gene

[deep_sky]

i seem to have that problem as well...random disconnections, although it seemed to take place right after a portscan from my isp. i am going to email them about it and see if they just don't like firewalls, or if there is some other problem. will let you know what they say...

[gene1938]

thanks it's good to know I'm not the only one
how did you know it was your ISP who scanned you???
thanks-gene

[Amarok]

there is a good program called black ice to tell to see who is scanning you.... it is a firewall in which you can set the trused addresses to allow access.... if you set Black Ice to have your ISP as a trused address you should not have that problem with the ISP port scans... <No disconnects here from it>

As for the other problem, I would then look to the modem. You mentioned you have already had the phone lines checked out, did that include the lines in the interior of the house? Or did the phone company just check the lines to the junction box?

If the lines in the house have been checked, I would look at the modem itself. It sounds like it could be a V.90 compatibility issue. I know several ISP's have problems with some modems as they keep thier firmware updated. I know that this is a software based (WIN Modem) what is the processor speed? Also I would double check on the updates for the drivers. Is this an ISA or PCI modem? The latest version available at thier site http://www.motorola.com/networking/products/sm56_isa_software_modem_v2/ISA-BUILD671.EXE . This is the link for the PCI drivers http://www.motorola.com/networking/products/sm56_pci_software_modem/NT4_802disk1of1.exe . Also here is the address for their support for modems http://www.motorola.com/networking/softmodem-mailform.html

That is all the idea's I have other than maybe using an init string to keep the connection alive longer.

[gene1938]

Thanks for the reply-Lines where checked for noise and a data check, Drivers I downloaded over the week end I'm looking for ins. string to add,also going to find out if this line has call waiting or other options. I supect the zone alarm, this is when it started. Modem is a PCI.

[deep_sky]

how i know that my isp scans me is that the popup says that it is from humboldt1.com (my isp) and i recognize the ip as being their dns server that does it......
i have a winmodem as well, how do i tell what brand and how to get the init string to keep my connection open? would appreciate more info on the init sting thing...