JORDON:
Another option is and I think it might be this because when I set up my machine a year ago it was based on this.
Windows 98 and XP (maybe all) gives you Windows Messenger and people like to download MSN messenger. These 2 conflict alot and at times usually disconnects you.
1. Click Start.
2. Click Run.
3. In the open box type RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
4. Click Ok.
http://www.pureperformance.com/js/showtip.asp?id=141
This works then download MSN messenger and it will work fine, if not then that is all I can tell you.
http://messenger.msn.com/
Goodluck
Tony