Why does my laptop keep losing the internet connection?

How comes i keep losing internet connection with my laptop when connected ?

• when i start up my laptop and connect to my bt home hub i can use the internet and then after a short time my firefox or explorer it says can't connected but i restart my laptop i got it bk i am very confussed and it is a up to date laptop any idea please internet comes and goes

• Answer:

  Windows XP says your network adapter is connected, but you can't reach the Internet If you reached this section, your computer is probably connected to your home network properly, but there is a failure with your router, modem, or Internet connection. In this case: 1.First, verify that you can't reach the Internet. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer, and attempt to connect to the following Web sites: www.microsoft.com, www.msn.com, and www.windowsmarketplace.com. If any of the Web sites open correctly, your Internet connection is functioning properly. If all of the Web sites fail to open, continue following these steps. 2.Unplug your modem. If you are unsure which device might be your modem, it is the device that is connected directly to your phone line (if you have DSL) or cable connection (if you have a cable modem). Wait one minute, and then plug your modem back in again. 3.If you have a router connected to your modem, unplug it. If you are unsure which device might be your router, look for the device that is connected directly to your modem. Wait one minute, and then plug your router back in again. 4.Restart your computer. 5.If you have more than one computer on your network, turn the other computers off. Also, close any network applications that you might have open, including file sharing and peer-to-peer applications. These applications can consume so much bandwidth that they might prevent you from being able to browse the Web. Repeat step 1 to retest your Internet connection. If the connection works now, the problem is that one of your applications is consuming too much of your Internet bandwidth or attempting to connect to too many different computers. Close the application, or configure it to use less bandwidth or fewer connections. 6.If you have previously configured your computer with a static IP address (for example, to connect to your office network), you probably need an automatic IP address at home. Fortunately, you can configure Windows XP to use both by following the steps in Automatic configuration for multiple networks. 7.If you are using a router, unplug the network cable that connects your modem to your router, and connect your computer directly to your modem. Then restart your computer. If your computer connects properly after restarting, the problem is with your router. Contact your router manufacturer for support. 8.If possible, connect a different computer to your modem, and attempt to access the Internet. If the computer is able to access the Internet, you might have a problem with your Web browser. Contact your computer manufacturer for support. 9.Your modem or your Internet connection has failed. To resolve the problem, contact your ISP technical support. To speed up the troubleshooting process, describe the steps you have already taken, including restarting your modem, router, and computer, and connecting your computer directly to your modem. This is from Microsoft XP support. There is also Vista specific support More information here