why is it my internet drops off sometimes after only 10 or 20
minutes........i am on a dial up connection but it should stay open for 2
hours before letting go.....any ideas ??
it tends to do this when i am downloading updates which is very annoying and
worrying

This happens from time to time because of line noise or if you have 'call waiting' as an option from your telecoms provider

If it's line noise, you can call your Telco and ask them to check out the line

ALso check if you have call waiting and then make sure you set up your modem to disble call waiting before it dials.