Why does my MSN keep turning off?

Internet based applications keep on "acting" like they are disconnected?

• So here's whats up, my computer is connected to the internet. I know this because I am able to laglessly talk to my friends over skype, But other programs, like Msn and online games keep on having internet disconnections, while still connected. Much like Gigantic lag spikes, these can last up to 40 seconds and happen as often as once a minuite, but somtimes it just stays normal. Ill'd really like to find out how to fix this. Ive allready tried turning the modem and my computer off and on again. Please help

• Answer:

  Check if you have available bandwidth, or if you are at maximum capacity. Check also if someone at your house is competing with your connection. When several programs compete for an internet connection, they don´t share it in equal parts. Some programs (Torrents, for example), are "greedy", and will capture all bandwidth. Depending on which program dominates over the other, some programs will work OK, and others will freeze to a halt (even losing connection). In some routers you can activate the QoS option, which supposedly addresses this issue, but it doesn´t always work...