When you play a game over the Internet using the Sympatico service, there are a few things you should be aware of. You can be automatically disconnected while you are playing a game in two ways: by your software, and by the Sympatico service.

Your dial-up software is set up to disconnect you after a certain amount of time. You can change the amount of time, or you can turn this feature off.

1. Click Start, then click Programs, Accessories, then Dial-Up Networking.
2. Right-click the Sympatico icon, then click Properties.
3. Click Configure.
4. In the modem Properties window, click the Connection tab.

   

5. Change the number after Disconnect a call if idle for more than to the number of minutes after which you want to be disconnected. Or uncheck Disconnect a call if idle for more than if you do not want to be disconnected.
6. Click OK, then click OK again.

If you have Open Transport PPP:

1. Click the Apple menu, then click Control Panels, then click PPP (or Remote Access).
2. Click Options.
3. Click the Connection tab.

   

4. Uncheck Disconnect if idle for 10 minutes if you do not want to be disconnected. You cannot change the number of minutes.
5. Click OK, then click OK again to close PPP (or Remote Access).

Even if you follow the instructions above, you can still be disconnected while you are playing a game. The Sympatico service will disconnect you if it detects no Web browsing activity (HTTP activity) after about an hour. The reason for this is to prevent you from being charged if you happen to forget that you are connected.

To stay connected for more than an hour while you are playing a game, you must open your Web browser and request a Web page every forty minutes or so.

Note: Sympatico member services does not support members with playing online games while connected to the Sympatico service.

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