BleepingComputer.com: My connection keeps dropping (or says so) ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8

Ever since I installed Internet Explorer 8, I keep gong offline or appear to go offline, but not really because my little Netzero icon in the bottom right says "Netzero - Online". I can pick up the phone and hear the familiar sounds that you hear when the modem is connected. However when I click to go to a different webpage I get the message, "Webpage unavailable while ofline. The webpage you requested is not available offline. To view this page click connect. Connect (or) Stay Offline" I usually disconnect and reconnect to go back online. This is happening every time now. I knew there would be problems like this which is why I delayed updating to IE 8. I never had this problem before with IE6.
Windows XP Home Edition version 2002
SP2 Avast 5.0

Hi -
Apart from using IE8 with only XP SP2 , which needs upgrading to SP3 ASAP - You could try going back to IE7 as one option also -
Here are some quick steps to see if this is what is causing the error for you:

1.Click the 'Start' button.
2.Click on "Control Panel".
3.Double-click on "Internet Options" (you may have to switch the Control Panel to 'Classic' view to find it).
4.Click on the 'Connections' tab
5.Click on the "LAN settings" button
6.Put a check mark in the box labeled "Automatically detect settings"
7.Click OK.
8.Click OK.
9.You may need to close any open Internet Explorer Windows before trying

Thank You -

This post has been edited by noknojon: 30 October 2010 - 05:35 AM

5.Click on the "LAN settings" button

You say click on the Lan settings button but I'm using a dialup connection. Do you still think I should do this?

This post has been edited by hamluis: 31 October 2010 - 07:29 AM
Reason for edit: Moved from XP to Networking ~ Hamluis.

The directions are taken from This Diagram taken from another site and you may be able to adapt it to suit your situation -
If not I will try another approach -
Thank You -

I would uninstall the Netzero software and then install the latest version of same.

What you described used to happen to me when I was on dialup, I don't think it has anything to do with IE8 or IE6. Clicking to connect always solved it for me, IIRC. In my case, I would set the browser to be offline while I read email messages and I believe that this was the result.

Louis

Why would you say this is a problem with Netzero, it only statred after I installed IE8

The directions are taken from This Diagram taken from another site and you may be able to adapt it to suit your situation -
If not I will try another approach -
Thank You -

Why would you tell me to use this? I told you I use a dialup connection. What does a LAN setting have to do with a dialup connection?

<<Why would you say this is a problem with Netzero, it only statred after I installed IE8>>

I say it because cause-and-effect reasoning...is often wrong when dealing with computers. Computer users see effects...long before they can often determine the cause.

But...you don't have to believe me, I'm just as lacking an answer other than what I have previously stated.

Louis

Have you used the wizard in connections?

or added a dialup connection?

Have you used the wizard in connections?

or added a dialup connection

Your question is vague and shows no continuity, what are you referring too?
I simply used a Netzero CD to install the dialup connection, nothing more nothing less. I followed the directions on the CD to install my Netzero ISP. Now explain your above comments.
On another note, if I install an earlier version of Firefox as my web browser, from say Filehippo, will I then not need Service Pack 3?
These are two separate questions, please answer them both clearly