I have a new laptop with vista,the problem i have is that every time i shut my laptop it disconnects from the internet.I do some downloading on leave it on through the night some times but i dont really want to leave it open because of dust etc.Is they a way of stopping or disableing this?? Thanks.
Go to the control panel and then to power management or power settings or something like that (sorry I don't have my vista machine turned on at the moment) and there you can select what you want the computer to do when you close the cover such as standby, turn off, or do nothing which is what you are looking to do.
Not to disagree with you fo3nix but some laptops have a button above the keyboard that shuts off the screen when the lid closes. Also, some like mine have an inlet for air at the back of the case and vent through the side.