Microsoft Knowledge Base

The information in this article applies to:

• The Microsoft Network versions 1.05, 1.2, 1.3

SYMPTOMS

While receiving data from the Internet (such as when you are downloading a file), you may be disconnected from The Microsoft Network.

CAUSE

The Microsoft Network does not recognize activity when data is received from the Internet by a program other than Internet Explorer. Therefore, the auto-disconnect feature causes The Microsoft Network to disconnect from your computer after the specified idle time, even though you are receiving data.

The auto disconnect feature recognizes only the following activities:

• Anything you do on The Microsoft Network itself (chat, BBS, mail, MSN Today, and so forth).
• Any data sent to the Internet.
• Any data received from the Internet by Internet Explorer (but not by other programs, such as FTP or Netscape).

RESOLUTION

Use any one of the following methods to work around this problem:

• Use Internet Explorer for data transfer from the Internet.
• Set the auto-disconnect setting to 59 minutes before starting a data transfer from the Internet.
• Maintain activity on The Microsoft Network while transferring data from the Internet. For example, keep a busy chat room open.
• Connect to the Internet using The Microsoft Network connectoid. The connectoid is located in Dial-up Networking. Using the connectoid disables the auto disconnect feature, so be careful not to remain connected inadvertently and accumulate connect-time bills.

MORE INFORMATION

When The Microsoft Network disconnects, it displays a Disconnecting Now dialog box for 30 seconds. After disconnect, no dialog box is displayed. If you return to an unattended data transfer, you do not see an error message.