We have 4 machines - 2 XP, 1 2K and 1 98. Our network is
setup over the phone line using phoneline adapters. We
have a couple of 3Com cards and a Netgear. Finally, we
connect to the net through a DSL modem.
One of the XP machines is the "main" computer and has the
DSL modem connected to it. All the others connect to it
and access the internet through it. So I guess it acts as
the gateway.
We are running into two problems... I dunno if they are
related. First is that periodically, on both XP machines
we get this little popup (bubble) in the System Tray
saying "Network connection dropped". This happens quite
often... once every 5 mins or so. But everything seems
fine. As in we are able to connect to the internet.
The other (more critical) problem is that while the XP
machines always seem to see each other and the "client"
XP machine is always able to connect to the internet
through the main XP computer, the 2K and the 98 machines
just disconnect from the network periodically. I'm not
able to ping any of the other computers from them and
there is no internet connection. It's strange cause after
a period of time (several hours) it just automatically
rectifies itself and I get connection back on both
machines.
network connection dropped 
Linear Mode
