I had this problem also and the ISP kept telling me it wasn't their problem or that the phone lines or the internet were "busy" or something was wrong with my modem or my understanding of the computer, which is admittedly limited. Finally I took the computer in a service facility to be checked out and no problem could be found, although I was told that some of the manufacturers are using a different type of modem than a few years ago which is not as efficient with dial up service. (This had not been mentioned when I "upgraded", of course, having done what seemed to be sufficient research.) Rather than purchase a separate "controller based modem," the technician said more likely the problem was with the "modem internet string" at the ISP. When I finally insisted that the ISP find the problem at their end, they did, but I got nothing for a year of inconvenience, aggravation, and condescension, and could not even get a return call until I wrote the president of the company, a local provider. Perhaps this will give you some things to check. I hope your experience is better. --Pam B,. > >Dear Listers > > We have a brand new HP computer running Windows XP with a dialup > > connection. We are having a lot of trouble getting and keeping a > > connection to the Internet. Often we have to dial twice to connect with > > the ISP. Then while surfing, we get a lot of " The page cannot be > > displayed." Some days it works just fine. Do you think it's the ISP? Do > > you think I should try "removing" the modem in the Device Manager? > >Joan >