Toni,
In IE Tools>Options or in Config Panel>Internet or in OE Tools>Options, then on the connections tab (an extra button in OE) and choose from (IE5.5, Windows 95; details might vary with other versions)
- never dial
- only dial when no network connection
- always dial when no connection
In your case the last one seems appropriate. It's not a drop-down box with me, but 3 radio buttons. For details, see http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=259031 for example.
I shouldn't know why it shouldn't work.
Kees
Hi There you chaps I wonder if any of you can help me. My girlfriend has just had her computer reinstalled with all software Including Windows XP home. The guy that did it set up the virgin dial up account manually and the same with outlook express. When She used to click internet Explorer icon on her desktop virgin net used to connect automatically and allso with outlook express this connected automatically when she clicked send and receive. I have been into Outlook Express into tools etc and have clicked on the drop down menu to say connect when offline but to no avail. Now this is not a big problem for me as she only has to click on virgin.net on her desktop and then on Internet Explorer or Outlook Express send and receive. But she wants it back the way it was and the guy that did it is no longer available as he is in hospital. So can any of you make my life easier and sort this out for me. Many thanks in antisipation of your response. Kindest Regards Tony B.

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