well I tried dialup with windows firewall turned off and AVG firewall on and got dropped right away about 2 min tops. Will change to windows firewall with avg off, so far it is going past the 2 min marker - but have company so have to disconnect myself and try some more tomorrow - will let you know how it goes.

Ok, well if you can stay on with AVG off then you will need to go into the settings and find a way to always allow the connection. If this doesn't work maybe you can get a friend to come over with dialup account also and from another ISP. Use the friends logon by adding a new account for his/her ISP and logon id and let him or her logon with your laptop. If it stays connected with his ISP and his logon then it is a problem with your ISP and AVG or I would think the firewall.