(size tag added)

Your computer is thinking it needs to make the connection via the ETHERNET port but you've got the DSL modem hooked up via USB which is a different port.

Change your settings.

Just looked at the Network settings and the following was highlighted: Ethernet Adaptor (en2) is set up to use PPPoE. Ethernet Adaptor (en2) is connected and has the IP address 82. etc.etc
You are connected to the Internet via Ethernet Adaptor (en2)..

Well, thank YOU France Telecom, but why do you take away my connection three times a day after meals?????

Router number is 193 etc etc

Does this mean anything to any of you?

To AHunter3

Change WHICH settings though?

In Network preferences, turn off the ethernet port.

Ok, but how do I actually "turn off" the ethernet port"??
When I go to Network preferences, I have three items:

1. Ehthernet Adaptor (highlighted)
2. Airport
3. Internal modem

What happens if I disconnect #1??

It should stop trying to use ethernet, and since you're connected through USB, that should be good.

To turn off the Ethernet port in Tiger (10.4.x):

1) Go to Network preferences

2) Select Network Configuration under the Settings menu

3) Uncheck the Built-in Ethernet. To just lower it's priority, drag it down the list.

To disable the Ethernet port in Leopard (10.5.x):

1) Go to Network preferences.

2) Select Built-In Ethernet.

3) Press the Delete key on your keyboard or press minus sign.

To just lower its priority, select "Set Service Order…" from the gear menu and drag to reorder.

Las Vegas: thanks for this, but what about OSX 10.4.8? Which is what I've got here?

The top of my message explains Tiger (10.4.8).

Sorry to come back at this thing, but it's driving me crazy.

I can get an internet connection, but it cuts out all the time. What usually happens is that once a minute, a pop-up will say "Internet Connect: Could not find a PPPoE server." I hit return (or OK), and the connection continues. So as long as I am around to click ok, all is well (if you can call such a POS connection "well").

Anyway, I was starting up Safari, and with the connection off, Safari came up with Network Diagnostics.

So, I go to Network Status.

I have the choice of:

Airport

Airport Settings (failed)

Network Settings (failed)

ISP

Internet

So, I go to Choose Network Port configuration

I now have the choice of

o Built-in Ethernet

o Internal modem

o Airport

o Other

If I choose Built-in Ethernet, the message is (the connection was ON): Your internet connection appears to be working currently

If I choose Internal Modem, I am asked to verify that my PPP settings are correct.

Does all this mean anything to you when it comes to solving this weird problem?

As I say, I can get the connection, but how can I stop this constant cutting out????

TIA

By the way, Las Vegas, I unchecked the Built-in Ethernet and dragged it down the list.