Internet Connectivity issue in telnet clients

Hello!

 

I'm a terrible forms user, and so I apologize if I've duplicated anything. I tried to search as many different strings as I could to try to find an answer first.

 

Here's the problem. I had AVG installed for years on the computer I'm currently using. One day, trying to login to my xbox, I received a notice from MS that I has suspicious activity from my account. Just being honest here, I was trying to download something, was tricked by an ad, and accidentally loaded a virus. Put the two situations together, and I decided to do a system wipe. (Tried to remove the program, but even disconnected from the Internet I couldn't get rid of it all, so I gave in and did a full format). After the format, and installing Win 7 x64 first thing I did was go to comcast and download the Norton Security Suite software so I could have a "real" internet protection system.

 

Now that I have put programs I use on the system, I put on my games, mostly a MUD game that has a unique front end called "FedTerm" which is a telnet client with their own modifications. I also use CCMud, a popular client among MUD users. Now, they are telnet clients, and do not typically sign you off until you have disconnected from the game. 

 

The issue is: I've been playing for years, on the same system (plus or minus parts like memory, PSU, keyboards/mice) and I never have been disconnected from these telnet clients unless there's an actual problem with the internet connection. Now, after the re-install of my system, and adding norton (obviously not re-installing AVG) if the computer sleeps, I loose connection. If I play another game, it looses connection. Basically, anytime I'm idle on the computer it shuts off.

 

I've modified the power saving attributes so that it doesn't hibernate, shut down hard drives, etc. and set it to "High Performance" mode. I've also tried to modify the firewall settings for the FedTerm and CCMud programs to "allow." I let it run all day today, and it disconnected me again. 

 

I don't know what details you guys need from me, so just let me know and I'll answer as best I can.