Network disconnected/reset by peer

Hello computer help members and visitors.
    I'm a newb searching for IE 6 notification/error? message display: "Network disconnection/Reset by Peer" during a Telnet
         session.  Our OS is Win98SE. We use Dial-up modem.
  While this is not a serious problem as we are still online
           when the network gets dropped, it is an irritating one.
  I have browsed Computer hope many times and have found solutions to most problems. I have found keepalives values in the registry and adjusted the time. (this has had mixed results,
  being either ignored by windows/IE, or it has lengthend our online sessions to 4 hours, or connection would randomly fail)
Any info is appreciated.   Thanks            klash