Dropping Internet connection

[virtual]

I was updating the OS to 10.4.8 today, and whilst downloading the update I put the lid down to conserve battery life. Opened it up 10 mins later and it said it couldnt download the update as there was no internet connection.

I tried just putting it to sleep and waking it, but the connection is still dropped.

Since I run programs which need to be on a constant connection, i.e. IRC, loosing the connection isn't really an option. I asume the problem is with the sleep, so is there anyway to keep the connection alive whilst it sleeps?

I looked under the energy saver options and I can set the MacBook to never sleep, and just put the screen to sleep after x minutes. Does anyone know if this would be okay?

BTW: MacBook 13", and it is connected via AC all the time.

Thanks,
virtual

 

[kgarchar]

yes, plug in an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. or you can just turn the blacklight on the screen off

 

[virtual]

yes, plug in an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. or you can just turn the blacklight on the screen off

So NEVER letting the MacBook sleep, and putting the screen to sleep after x minutes would work for me perfectly?

Thanks.