If it isn't malware...and that's the way its looking....could be some kind of conflict/deadly embrace?

Also, is your ISP having problems......check on another box, with other local users, maybe just ask them?

You might try the Windows repair facility in XP Pro (sorry...just moved house, and haven't even found my XP Pro box yet...got to admit that I haven't been trying very hard though )

The reloading bit does make me suspect that there may be some sort of Registry corruption ? I have had this sort of problem before, but with NT4/2K.

I am afraid that I do not feel confident enough to recommend a Registry cleaner for XP....anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers