Twinkspunker (and anyone posting 'problem with connection' type of messages):
Can you give a detailed description of the path between ********** and your computer?
Important are things like: Routers/Switches/Cable Modem/DSL and specifics for any and all.
Firewalls and other software can get in the way (see * below if you use NORTON)
Don't forget that some FIREWALLS and SPY FIGHTERS will block ports, too, sometimes without a hint that it is happening.
Go to your EVENTS log and see if there are any clues there as to what might be causing the problems. Try to connect with ********** and when it errors out, REFRESH your EVENTS and see if there is a new entry. If so, that might be your smoking gun.
IF AND ONLY IF you're on a home network open your networking status page and click - SUPPORT then DETAILS and add those details. If you connect directly to your isp DO NOT POST this info as it will contain your external IP address and that would not be good to post.
Describe, as you have, how other similar programs or sites respond over the same connection. Those clues can be invaluable.
Of course, it's best to do this all in one easy to follow post, cause right now I can't even begin to remember who has AOL, who doesn't from the messages above, the only constant is that there are problems.
So, send the details and I'll do my best to help.
In any situation, however, here are a few resouces that might be able to help your whole internet experience.
1)
www.dslreports.com (which will show up as broadbandreports.com)
Click on Tools and then you get to choose tests from these areas:
SPEED TEST
TWEAK TEST (not what you might be thinking)
LINE QUALITY TEST
YOUR IP ADDRESS AND IP WHOIS
SMOKEPING (will monitor and IP address for packet loss - NEW)
24 7 LINE MONITORING FOR TROUBLE
DOCTOR TCP (you might have had a nasty program change some settings and the DOC can help)
DOCTOR PING - compares your ping to a site with 100+ servers and other users
MOBILE SPEED TEST
BANDWIDTH CALCULATOR
and a bunch more.
2) Visit
www.portforward.com if you have a router or hub etc. There are many specific solutions spelled out on this site and other sites you'll find links for.
Remember, there is a difference between a ROUTER and a HUB and a SWITCH and what you have to do to make each one work. Make sure you know WHAT you're using and perhaps the MOST important thing about network technology is to make sure you have THE LATEST FIRMWARE and SOFTWARE for your unit.
Hope that provides a little more help. After visiting the two sites above and still having problems, post a detailed account of your situation and we'll go from there to find a solution.l
PC
* NORTON INFORMATION: NORTON SYSTEMWORKS has proven especially nasty at preventing things from happening, and not telling you that it is blocking communication. Even if you 'turn off' the module I've seen NORTON continue to block things anyway. With Norton sometimes even uninstalling the program won't fix it. I could NEVER connect to FILETOPIA on a computer that had Norton Systemworks installed. I'm not sure if everything is better with their newest version, but if NORTON has been there at any time since the last OS reinstall, it might be the culprit to some of your woes.
and don`t have to wait an hour... 
