Tonight I installed the most recent driver for my ethernet card and reset all of my Internet Options configuration settings to their default values on the AMD PC. I have noticed that when I click on a video link on some websites that apparently some kind of conflict is happening between Windows Media Player 10 and IE6 that causes IE to lock up and shuts off my connection, although it still looks like it is connected.
I just tried shutting down McAfee and surfing to a site I feel is safe that I was having trouble with earlier this evening, and the videos played fine. - McAfee problem???
Another problem that might be related is that most of the time when I log onto the PC I do not see all of the startup icons that should be showing up in my system tray. Task Manager, however shows all of the processes are present.
I have two PC's, an IBM T23 laptop running Windows 2000, which I use primarily for my job (company issued), and an AMD x86 based PC running Windows XP-Pro SP-2. Both PC's are connected to my Roadrunner account through a D-Link DI-604 Router F/W 2:18 in which all software is up to date.
The issue: My laptop never loses it's connection, but the AMD loses it's connection regularly. When the AMD loses connection, I can jump over to the laptop and access the internet with no problem - which rules out a server, router (I think), or cable modem issue. The AMD has the full up to date McAfee suite, including VirusScan, Personal Firewall Plus, Privacy Service, and Spamkiller. I also am currently using Windows Firewall, but I have the same issue whether it's on or off, and the same issue whether Pop-up Blocker is on or off.
The condition: I like to have the monitor of the AMD automatically shut down after 10 minutes of inactivity (makes sleeping at night a little easier), but the computer stays connected to the internet, sometimes for days at a time. When I decide to use the AMD, I move the mouse to make the monitor come back on, open Internet Explorer 6.0 (also up to date), and begin surfing my favorite sites. After about 20 - 30 minutes, all of a sudden IE locks up, and the internet connection is completely lost, although the connection icon in the system tray looks like I still have a good connection. I have Roadrunner Medic (downloaded hoping for a solution to the problem), which automatically goes trough the process of trying to reset the connection. After a few minutes of it trying, the connection icon in the system tray says I have limited or no connectivity. Although keep in mind that the laptop still works beautifully during this time.
My only solution: I have to restart the AMD to regain my connection.
I have been to several forums and read several articles which address issues that are "close" to my condition, and have tried resetting a few configuration settings (in which I am pretty sure my problem lies), but to no avail. I don't know if it's a McAfee or a XP/SP-2 setting that is doing this, or if it's something of which I have no idea exists. I graduted from college as a computer repair major, but that was back when the 386 and Windows 3.x were the big boys on the block. My current job is not in the field, so I have lost touch with some of the latest troubleshooting techniques. That is why I have, as a last resort posted this message.
Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated, as I am about ready to throw this PC out the window, hoping of course that it doesn't hit anybody standing below!
In good taste, I am respectfully requesting that no one posts any of the "that's what you get for using AMD", "try Linux", or "Windows sucks" - type replies. I am sure there is a legitimate fix for this problem, and those are the replies I am hoping for. Thanks in advance.

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