Hi Ginepaul
I have had problems myself with this issue, primarily in Outlook Express,
but, also when using IE, and this is one method I used to get rid of it:
(Note: I have a router.)
This is only if everything is set to static, it won't work (I don't think)
well if it is set to auto. What I mean by static is that, if you have
specific settings as you don't have a laptop or other types of equipment or
devices that may need certain allowances to be considered. If you don't
need the services I have listed here, these settings pose no problem
otherwise. If you have a router you can check the Internet or the mfg.
website for your particular router needs for specific information on the
different settings you may need to allow for based upon your particular
requirements.
I finally had to turn off the DNS and DCHP services.
In Win XP Pro -
DNS -
Click My Computer>Services and Applications>Services>DNS Client
Set Startup to Manual
Set Service Status to Stopped
Then find DCHP in that list:
Set Startup to Manual
Set Service Status to Stopped
I do still periodically get this message, when I have set my Zone Alarm to
"Stop all Internet activity", which I do now and then when I will be away
from the computer for a while and don't want any "unknown" activity taking
place. When I first reopen my OE or IE a dialog box will come up with "Work
Offline, or Try again" button at the bottom. I simply click the Try Again
and that is the last time I see it.
However, there may also be a Power Management conflict, so you might also
look at the following and check these settings and see if it will help:
Power Management adjustments to stop connection loss:
Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Network and Dial-up Connections>Local
Area
Connection>Properties>Configure>Power Management tab>Uncheck “Allow the
computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Also……a couple of posters have said that just stopping and then re-starting
the DNS service again cleared the problem. So, you might also try that if
you need to have these services.
and….
If you use Outlook Express as your email/newsreader, go
to OE>Tools> Options>Connections tab and see if the box next to "Ask before
switching dial up conenctions is checked". I have DSL and use OE as my
email and newsreader, and I just ran a test here to see what would happen if
I unchecked that box. When I tried to connect to the Internet, I
immediately got the "Work Offline, Try again" dialog box popup. When I went
back and rechecked it, then tried to access the Internet, I did not get that
box. Nothing.
If you use Outlook, check under Mail Setup under Dial-up and see if the box
next to "Warn before switching an existing dial-up connection" is checked.
If not, try ticking that box and see what happens. I don't use Outlook, so
it is just a guess.
also...
Check your LAN settings: Tools>Internet Options>Connections>LAN
setting>check the box next to "Automatically detect settings". Sometimes
setting can somehow get changed.
If you were on dial-up at any time, make sure there are no Proxy settings
checked or selections in the Dial-up window still remaining.
Also..by chance do you have NAV? If so, check in the scheduled tasks list
and see if NAV auto update is in there. If so, disable it and see if that
helps. Even if you don't have NAV, check any programs that may be running
automatic maintenance or updates.
It is also prossible that you have some type of 3rd party running in the
background, perhaps trying to get access to the Internet. It sounds like
you have something similar to a browser-hijack attempting to get you on-line
no matter what.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Be aware, your Anti-Virus won't detect all types of warez, Trojans, malware,
worms, etc., and neither can other adware or spyware related programs such
as AdAware and SpyBot. They don't have the proper definitions. They must
also be run in Safe Mode with Hidden Files enabled in order to fully scan
all files. Even if you have run such programs and nothing shows up, it does
not mean your system is clean. It takes a series of programs to fully clean
your machine. Some very aggressive and damaging variants of malware can
replicate themselves repeatedly, or mutate, if not removed properly.
Hope this helps.
Jan
MS MVP - Windows IE/OE [DTS/AumHa]
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