Hi Madeline

Apparently it was mid August not mid April that he started having problems. I'm not at all sure that he hasn't got a virus, worm etc which is why I'm hoping somebody can suggest a good way of trouble-shooting.

He doesn't get any error message, his got a Creative modem which doesn't have as many LEDs as I'm used to but essentially he connects OK at a fairly decent 44.0 - 48.0 but after a short while the data light stops and the line then disconnects

Has tried dropping the rate at which he connects but that makes no difference to this problem.

I think the premium rate is his last resort.