large box on white screen that the computer is having a problem connecting to the site.

Never heard of the white box type error. Can you post a screen shot of that.

Who is the Internet service provider?

Next time I have the problem I'll take a screen shot. I'm using my local cable provider, Service Electric Cable TV as my provider.

Ok, cause that error will be a clue to exactly what's taking place. Usually when a windows has a connection problem you only see the red x or something like that down by the clock over the 2 little computer icons.

The only thing I could advise and I don't like giving advice before you know what exactly is generating that error.

When you see the screen again. Try rebooting the router by turning it off an on, instead of restarting the desktop like you have been doing. See if that resolves the issue the same way restarting the desktop does. That may give us another clue to determine if it could be a router issue.

this is a good guide for those kinds of browser messages, the one described I think falls in the 503 error category.

Decoding and dealing with browser error messages

I have seen the error message you describe with the try again, that is a firefox error message. In most cases when I have seen it, it was because the actual website I was trying to access was down or very slow responding and would work after waiting a bit.

If you are continually getting them it is sounding like you are dropping the connection on that pc to the net.

"503: Service unavailable

This is a "temporarily out of order" sign, and it's sometimes reported as Gateway timeout. It means either the server that hosts the site is currently not working or is unavailable, your ISP's server is down, or your own system or company Internet gateway (if you're on a LAN) is not working.

How to handle it: Wait a minute and try again. If you get the message for a lengthy period or with every attempt to connect to any site, check that your PC and LAN connections are functioning, and then check with your ISP or the remote site. This may entail a phone call to their tech support line."

for those wanting to know if a site is down for everyone or if the problem is just on your end this is a great link to use to find out exactly that.

Here is a link that might be useful: downforeveryone

Below is what I'm getting when I'm having the problem above. I haven't had that problem again since the original post til today. I tried disconnecting and reconnecting the router but that did no good.

I've gotten that many times. It happens on my work computer the most. I've tried IE and the pages load. I think its a FF problem.

Jane

Good thinking. Use Internet explorer for a few days see if you have the problem there. Intermittent problems like that are very difficult to resolve...

You never reported what version of FF you are using. What add-ons? Did this start happening after a FF upgrade?

Also, the next time this occurs clear your cookies and Internet temp files and try the page again.

Is your Flash, Shockwave and Java current?

DA

I'm using Firefox version 3.5.11. no add-ons that I know of. As far as I know I'm up to date on Flash, Java and Shockwave. I tried switching over to IE and this what I got.

Mare,

Please when you post an image remember to reduce the size. Your first presentation was perfect. The second one knocked content off the viewing page.

I don't believe this is a FF concern. I am thinking it is a site concern. There is no reason I can think of as to why sometimes you could connect and sometimes can't.

Gaming sites have a reputation for being over-demanded while being under-powered. I don't use them, but I have read where some sites supposedly time out so their use can be fairly shared. I connected to your site using FF several times yesterday without concern.

DA

in my post I provided a link to a site that will allow you to type in the address for the site you are trying to access that will tell you if the problem is you or if that site is down for everyone, if we do not get replies when we give suggestions it leaves us guessing.

Also that is an old version of firefox you need to use the update feature and get the latest version of firefox,once that is updated, also use secunia tool to make sure everything else is up dated.
Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)

to try running firefox in it's safe mode you go to Start> all programs> mozilla> firefox and select start firefox in safe mode. try it that way and see if it makes a difference that will disable any extras or add ons which could be conflicting.

when you are getting that notice on both firefox and IE do you see an active network connection down in the tray on your little computers?

Please let us know the results.

Sorry about the screen shot size, wasn't thinking. Also apologize for poor description of my problem. When I'm having the "problem", it's not that I am unable to connect to a specific site, I am suddenly(in the midst of an online session) unable to connect to any sites. The only remedy is shutting down and restarting, then everything seems back to normal and I can connect to any and all sites. I've tried shutting off the router then turning it back on but that doesn't work. If I turn on my laptop when desktop is unable to connect to sites, I am able to connect to all sites(on laptop), so I know that my cable and modem are working. I've tried to use IE when this happens but found that my IE isn't working, thus the screen shot of the IE explorer. I've tried to download IE Explorer 8, it won't work either. I've updated everything as suggested and haven't had a problem for a few days but I've sometimes gone weeks without having "the problem" then suddenly, there it is again. Thanks for your help.

Difficult problem to diagnose. See them all the time. Going weeks without the problem then it reappears is really troublesome and sounds like could be Internet Service Provider.