local area connection - what?

[keps]

I don't usually frequent this area of CC, but I hope someone will help me anyway.:)

Quite often while online, the connection to the internet goes down.
A message then comes up in the bottom right corner of the screen saying "local area connection - a network cable is unplugged" (or very similar to this)

What does this mean? Is it a problem with my computer, or is it to do with AOL (my service provider)?
I have aol platinum broadband, but this connction thing happens everyday at least once, and is very annoying.

Also, system 32 (system restore) has been damaged by a virus - will this require professional help (as my bf thinks so). Cannot do a system restore now because of this.

Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on the situation.

[metronycguy]

it sounds like a problem with the braodband connection. i was having the same problem the last 3 days when my cable was down. there is a site called dsl reports that has good testing for broadband connections

[McDuff]

Keps,

Are you now virus free? If so, what I wrote below applies. If you still have a virus, then this interruption could be an artifact of the virus.

Sounds like you are connected thru an ethernet cable. The msg you see is just your computer letting you know that it has lost the connection. It has no way of knowing "what" caused the disconnect and this is its generic msg. The problem lies with your AOL, especially if your connection "comes back" by itself, this means a temporary interrupt.

Do you have system restore deactivated? "right click" on "My Computer" icon, select properties. On Sytem Restore panel, make sure the "Turn off system restore" button is not checked.

[rollin64]

you might needa turn off system restore an run a virus scan. i usually unplug everything an plug it back in...... like your modem cables an such. i know sometimes a virus will hide in your system restore area.

hope this helps ya out......

[Patonb]

Actually doing it in safe mode, f8 on startup. This starts only whatsabsolutly nessesary to start the thing, and usually keeps virus's and spyware from starting to, thus allows removal.

[keps]

Thanks to all who replied.

My bf did a quick restore via aol and also renewed the aol adaptor. Don't know if this has fixed it, but no problems since.

System restore was enabled.

My bf discovered one possible cause for the disconnection was a long cable for a second telephone -which we have.:( And we can't get rid of the second phone.