Always Detecting Proxy Settings.. ?

[druxboyzz]

I have windows xp and pacbell dsl.
when i turn on my computer, AIM automatically signs on, showing that my internet connection is up and running.
But sometimes, maybe 1 out of 4 times, when i load up Internet Explorer to browse, its just says DETECTING PROXY SETTINGS until it says there's no connection. AIM continuously works, meaning internet is up.

In order for me to get my Internet Explorer up and running again, i have to reset my modem, and then all is fine.
is this a problem with pacbell's dsl service? or me?

BTW, i am using a netgear rt314 router to split the connection to 4 computers in my house. when IE doesnt work for 1 computer, ALL computers dont work, therefore needs a reset of the modem and all is well.

any feedback is appreciated.

its getting so annoying that my dad wants me to cancel Pacbell DSL, and go for Roadrunner cable.. which is probably faster anyway

 

[Lord Evermore]

It's unlikely that IE is ever actually using a proxy; it may be that when you have these failures, the proxy detection (not even sure how IE checks for it) isn't properly detecting that there is no proxy and continuing without it.

Go into IE's Internet Options and on the Connections tab, click the LAN Settings button, and uncheck the Automatically Detect Settings option.

Possibly the DSL modem is configured to return a proxy server's IP to your computer when the browser checks for one, and the DSL modem is just buggy. The proxy server would be run by PacBell, but you shouldn't notice any difference in performance in general. I don't think RoadRunner would necessarily be any faster, if you've got a good speed DSL service. Plus, cable services keep getting sold around to different companies, resulting in repeated changes in service levels and performance, changes of email addresses, et cetera. Comcast now owns huge areas since it took over AT&T's network.