It could be all the annoying pop-ups are causing a problem. I don't know what browser you are using, but I use Mozilla and have the pop-ups blocked. This site is just about the worst for annoying ads.

I also had a similar problem; same time frame, same dial-up, although I suspect a different server. I just got the thing back from Best Buy yesterday, and I THINK it is fixed. I am going to switch to broadband in the next week, if only because the dial-up is SOO slow. I am now, on a Geek Squad member's suggestion, using Mozilla, and so far, it's been OK. You CAN block the pop-ups, even on other browsers - the Internet Explorer one is pretty good, but won't block the pop-up videos, nor the surveys from the iVillage people. Mozilla doesn't block the last, either, but so far, I haven't seen the M&M or the R. Lauren video.

My machine would crash even with other applications, but it was excessively aggravating. Good luck with yours!

I have DSL and use IE with a popup blocker. I haven't been bothered too much lately with the large video ads but the side of the page ads with video are really annoying me. They tie up my ram so that when they're running my computer won't load a thread. It's very time consuming and has definitely kept me from keeping up with posts on this forum. I also subscribe to DG and spend much more time over there because of the ease of use.

Mozilla doesn't block the last, either, but so far, I haven't seen the M&M or the R. Lauren video.

I use Mozilla with the free Adblock Plus and I never see a single ad or survey. Get it here.

I too, have Mozilla and see no ads or surveys. Make sure you have all the latest updates with Mozilla.

Thanks to everybody for the hints - this OP is actually my problem, posted for me by agrowingpassion since I couldn't get here myself to ask.

A friend w/the same ISP as me (NetZero) suggested I change my local dial up number to one way down the list - less popular/used by the masses. For the moment, that does seem to have made the difference, perhaps an overloaded dial up line + iVillage's profusion of ads was the problem.

But I am going to try Mozilla as lots of people seem to like it. Ideally, I'd break down and get a super-duper fast and pricey high speed service, but I'd rather spend my mad money on my garden so later for that, I'm afraid!

Thanks again!

To those having problems, the other thing you may want to try is to check for spyware on your computer. 2 of the programs I use are spybot search and destroy and adaware. Install them, allow them to update, scan your whole computer. Sometimes I find a bug that they can't clean. I use a scan called housecall from trendmicro. They are all free. I hope that it helps those with the problems