No auto disconnect from internet with IE7 & Outlook

[Guest]

I really have searched the Expert Zone Newsgroups and used XPs Help and
Support Center on my 'puter, but I haven't found an answer for this yet. I
am using XP Pro (with Media Center Edition 2005), IE7 and Outlook 2003.

When I close Internet Explorer and Outlook my dial-up connection does not
disconnect and I don't see the Auto Disconnect Dialog Box that I was used to
with win 98 SE. Also, when I manually disconnect I get an Outlook error
message (no, I don't remember what it says). Later I have discovered that my
computer has reconnected. (Unless I have lost my mind due to lack of sleep.)
What I am I missing here?

 

[NewScience]

I'm glad someone else has seen this. As more and more patches/updates and
new software has been coming from MS, I've noticed the total lack of support
of the Auto Disconnect when the last internet connected program closes.

Ever since MS has been pushing the Windows Live concept, they've taken upon
themselves to assume that everyone have Cable/DSL/Broadband/T1 connections.
Leaving people with Dial-up modems behind.

I've noticed in the last two years, MS has slowly been designing software in
that arena in preparation for IE7 and Vista. That's why I believe that IE7
has been rushed out with all the problems. Vista is now basically around
the corner (January) and IE7 is used extensibly in that design.

They only solution I have seen is to track down programs/services that
remain on when you close the last connection.

Two come to mind, MSN Messenger (Windows or Live), and the Time Service. I
have noticed that if all connections are close, but the system has not auto
closed AND you open SERVICE.MSC and the close, up pops the Connection Close
window.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I'll look into that. As to the 'reconnection problem': I think I
finally realized that when I'm in Word 2003 and I pick Help, it connects to
the internet and opens the little help window on the right side of the
screen. ROFLOL I guess I haven't "lost my mind due to lack of sleep." )

 

[Guest]

Ok now, I didn't have time to do anything but disconnect and go to the store;
when I came back the screensaver was 'off' and the computer was reconnecting
to the web. So it's not just Word 2003 Help that does it. Hmmm...

We have also exceeded the threshold of my ignorance (Duh!) because I don't
know anything about the Time Service or SERVICE.MSC! Could anyone please
clarify those?

 

[NewScience]

If you use Administrative Tools | Services or use Start | Run ...
services.msc, and then close it, see what happens.

While in Services.msc, check the Windows Time service, if it set to
Automatic, then sometimes it remains connected once you connect to Internet.

Like I said, it's very flukey anymore. Try setting Disconnect if Idle after
# minutes.

As far as the ScreenSaver and connected, do you have a dialup (modem)
connection or are you Cable/DSL/Broadband... type connection?

 

[Guest]

So far I'm using a dialup (modem) connection, but I'm seriously considering
signing up for Broadband.

Something else I noticed...this 'auto' reconnecting seems to happen only if
I have been on the internet and have disconnected. IE7 or Outlook do not
start up, I just get the 'connected' icon in the Tray. Whereas if the
computer has been off and I power it up but don't 'fire-up' IE7, it doesn't
seem to connect on its own.

Microsoft strikes again!

 

[NewScience]

That's because if you installed any of the Windows Live applications or
toolbars, or the Desktop Search ... even if you close down IE or OE, the
background process will automatically reconnect.

More than likely you have the sound turned off for your modem and do not
become aware when a re-connect is occurring.

If you also turn off the Auto Connect, and close IE or OE, the dialup window
will appear but fail to connect (since you configured it not to). In this
case, you can then bring up Task Manager, click on Applications Tab, right
click on the Dialup Connection window, and select Go to Process.

Task Manager's Processes tab will display and show what application is
requesting the connection.
Then you'll know.

In my case it was Windows Live Favorites, Windows Live Mesenger and/or
Windows Live Weather. It took me a while to figure out how to configure
each so that this did not happen.

And it only happens, if one of them is in the process of doing and operation
and you close IE/OE. It then senses that it lost the connection and
re-connects.