Is it possible to reconnect to the Internet without reboot windows?

[kwfine]

Hi all,

My Latop is running XP SP3. I am not using any Wireless Router.
Sometimes when I was doing my school homework using my Laptop, I would disconnect the Laptop from Internet service so that I could focus on the homework.  But when I finished the howmework and I wanted to go to the Internet again, I found that I needed to reboot my Laptop even though I had already turn on the MODEM.

I have googled for some ideas why I need to reboot my Laptop, and some web pages told me that Windows is doing these steps for me during reboot:
ipconfig /release
ipcpnfig /renew

So, and then, I try to see if they are telling the truth by typing the commands in CMD.
But these commands do not work for me, and I need to reboot my Latop before I can go to the Internet again after disconnection.

Could some experts help me solve this problem?

Thank you.

Kitty

[SuperDave]

Just exactly are you disconnecting?

[Superhuman]

Yes, how you're disconnecting would be good to know, also what system you're using (fill out the computer specs in your profile-- Profile menu -> Forum Profile).

You're using dial-up then?  Usually modems will already automatically disconnect from your ISP after just a half hour or so of idle time, unless you have some kind of ping set up.

Are you using an external modem?  I've used external ones before that don't respond to commands correctly the first time after power on.  I just had to try to connect a second time and it worked fine always.

For Win XP, if I want to disconnect from the internet, I use the Network Connections in the Control Panel (Start menu -> Control Panel).  Then I right click on which connection it is, and select Connect/Disconnect for dial-up, or Enable/Disable for broadband.  I don't usully experience problems reconnecting when already offline (unless it's a WiFi signal or router issue).  But if there's a problem with a live connection, using Repair will many times reestablish a viable network connection.