Q I have a DSL modem connected to a wireless router, but my Internet connection conks out at frequent intervals. Qwest says I should shut off the modem and the PC for 15 seconds and try again, but the problem happens too often for that. Any ideas?
TERRY GEORGE, MINNEAPOLIS
A Try this: Leave your PC on, but reboot both your modem and wireless router at the same time by pulling the power plug on the back of each device. Wait a few seconds, then plug in the modem first, then the router. This allows the devices to resynchronize. Once the modem reestablishes its network connection, everything should work.
Q I've recently received spam e-mails that have my e-mail address as the sender. I clicked on one, because I do sometimes send e-mails to myself.
When I found it was spam, I tried unsuccessfully to "unsubscribe" from receiving more. Now I just delete e-mails that appear to be from me, which is inconvenient.
I don't want to change my e-mail address. What should I do?
MARY HAMMILL, HOPKINS
A There isn't an easy solution. But you can outsmart the people who send spam under your name (a technique called "spoofing"). When you send yourself an e-mail, put a key word or phrase in the subject line that identifies it as something you sent to yourself.
