Internet connectivity

[kankoo]

My PC sometimes has problems connecting to internet. Sometimes it connects straight away (as has just happened). At other times it takes me 1/2 an hour..then suddenly it connects. When I am having problems, I sometimes find that the "Work offline" box has been ticked for no apparent reason. If I untick it, and continue having problems, I often find that I have to untick it again, and again....

I am not wired in to the BT master socket, which is by the back door, but could this cause such an inconsistent problem?

ISP is Talktalk, but although I used to have similar problems, I have had none for several months, until now. Things suddenly seemed to get better at about the time that free broadband reached this part of rural North Yorkshire.

Any advice gratefully received.

[kankoo]

The answer turned out to be that my modem needed tuning with the help of a very helpful girl from Talktalk. I was on the point of cancelling my subscription, when she came along. Before I got her, I had to deal with two very unhelpful, arrogant employees.