In case it helps, I figure I should post my findings. It appears that the
problem was simply related to my cable modem being too close to my wireless
router, at random times when one of the wireless computers was busy. This
would drop internet access to all computers, usually requiring a reboot.
But it continued to recur.

After moving the separation distance from 2 inches to one foot (3 feet was
recommended), the problem disappeared. Too bad nobody at the router company
thought to mention this potential cause until after months of
troubleshooting!

What confused me (into thinking it was AOL IM) was that I had almost the
exact same symptoms with the predecessor computer used by my daughter and my
prior router, just weeks earlier, when I was not wireless. I replaced that
router with a wireless router and the offending computer with a new one,
connecting it wirelessly.

I assume the solution above only makes sense if there is a wireless router,
right? So, the cause, with the non wireless configurations, must have been
different, despite the exact same symptoms. Do you agree?

Thanks!
Dean

"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:uZqdJp23FHA.2432@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Much as I dislike AOL's instant messenger because of their general
> "Attitude" I can't say I have reason to suspect it's causing your problem
> specifically.
>
> You mention when her computer "Is not active"... is this a sign that maybe
> it the PC being turned on rather than when she is using it?
>
> One thought I have is related to peer to peer systems. Specifically a
> utility called shareazaa or similar. I tried that a while back (It's about
> the only one that has no spyware) to see what it was like and by the
> following day we were virtually swamped by searches and traffic. I've not
> tried it again since (no time) so I cannot confirm this but our normally
> reliable cable was down to a crawl.
>
> Rebooting the modem might get you another IP address in which case the
> mass of hits would stop and normality would return.
>
> This is JUST an idea but might be one avenue to consider, I can at least
> say been there and done that
>
> Charlie
>
> "Dean" <Whooshbopbang4@adelphia.net> wrote in message
> news:LaGdnXhj7JUsk_XeRVn-ig@adelphia.com...
>> We have several computers sharing a router, but when my daughter uses her
>> computer, we all occasionally (once every few hours) lose internet
>> access, and I have to reboot the router and cable modem. She only uses
>> AOL, internet explorer, and AOL Instant Messaging. I am virtually sure
>> the problem is related to the latter, which is what she mostly uses.
>> When her computer is not active, there are no such problems.
>>
>> Though I know someone will suggest getting rid of junky AIM, this is
>> really not an option, as both my kids (and all their buddies) use it
>> extensively.
>>
>> Strangely, we had very similar problems with her old computer connected
>> to our old router. When both were replaced (for other reasons) the
>> problems went away for about a month, but now they are back, which is
>> either one heck of a coincidence, or a common issue associated with AIM.
>>
>> Does anyone have any direct experience with AIM and internet access
>> crashing? Or can you tell me where to find it? Does it make sense to
>> try to uninstall and reinstall? Do you think AVG Free may be having a
>> problem with it?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Dean
>>
>>
>>
>
>