I hope I'm not asking a tiresomely common question here-- my search
through this group so far has not turned up any information that
directly addresses my problem.
I have a DSL connection with AT&T and an Actiontec DSL modem/wireless

I have Dell with Windows 2000 connected to cable modem.  Every few
hours I loose my internet connection and must restart the system to
restore internet.  I replaced the modem, but did not help.

My apartment has two phone wall jacks. They
are not chained, both come straight from the
phone box for the entire building.
This is apparently called a bridge tap.

I'm on a router connected to Verizon's FIOS.
The other person's PC is connected directly to a Verizon DSL
modem.
If I issue a Remote Assistance invitation to the other PC, it can