in the middle of downloading (legal files), i will lose my internet connection, having to reboot my computer & modem (linksys) to use mirc (or the internet). this only happens when i'm using mirc. i'm not using a router, have cable, have windows firewall disabled, running norton. someone please help!

What's the disconnection message?
Depending on why you were disconnected will generate different messages.

Usually a disconnection notice will provide the details of the disconnection and the reason.

it says [10053] Software caused connection abort

Look in the sticky topics for several postings regarding this problem.

Are you using P2P like emule or edonkey? Those will cause this issue when combined with mIRC.