I generally leave the computer powered up all the time but turn the power
off to the modem when I leave for than an hour or so.  When I power it up
again, it sometimes connects to the internet right away and sometimes never
does.  When it doesn't, I power it down for a minute, then back on and
eventually it connects.

Is there something else I can do to get it to connect quicker the first
time?

Thanks!

Fred